Tweaker's Asylum

• You don't need more than one fuse in a feed. Simon Linton 14:54:15 07/12/00 (4)
  In Reply to: Fuse in power pluge posted by cktc on July 12, 2000 at 08:33:20:

  I don't know which country you're in, but in the UK, all mains plugs should have a fuse - then there's usually a fuse in the distribution block (if you're using one) and a fuse in the consumer unit feeding the ring main or spur.

  There's often a mains fuse in each component and sometimes separate fuses for certain circuit areas.

  Disregarding the last fuses, this still leaves maybe THREE fuses protecting the equipment from mains surges or dead shorts inside it.

  This seems to be two too many, since fuses do sound pretty dire.

  I agree with the other post that removing all fuses is playing Russian Roulette, but a way to improve sound without compromising safety is to uprate the fuses to 13A (in the UK, I don't know what the max. domestic rating would be in the US) rather than the 3A or 5A normally found in hi-fi plugs and distribution blocks.

  This will still protect the home against shorts, and you could leave the equipment mains fuse at the manufacturer's rating (at least until the warranty expires...)

  But one tweak to give all your fuses is a good polish with Brasso or another metal polish on the end caps - the amount of crap that comes off is amazing!

  Then give the fuse and holder a good squirt of Deoxit or similar, not forgetting all the mains wires and their securing screws and holes inside the plug.

  Polish the plug pins and squirt them too, and if you can get contact cleaner inside the sockets, do so.

  If you've got a complex system all this will take ages, but it's well worth the effort and you've got the massive satisfaction of a significant upgrade that's cost nothing but time!
  
  

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  • Re: You don't need more than one fuse in a feed. pete 16:41:57 07/12/00 (0)
    In Reply to: You don't need more than one fuse in a feed. posted by Simon Linton on July 12, 2000 at 14:54:15:

    Hi
    Simon...I agree total with your post.Since I am in UK too the ring my HiFi is on is 13 amp...This can have disaterous results if you rely total on 13 amp blowing.."I have seen the outcome" The point I was making was a saftey one the appliance whatever it maybe should be protected a little closer to it's operational level for own safety if nothing else...Have you used an RCD in place of fuses.??? Do these degrade the sound in anyway like noise on the line..

    Regards
    Peter
    
    

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  • Re: You don't need more than one fuse in a feed. e-static 15:41:19 07/12/00 (2)
    In Reply to: You don't need more than one fuse in a feed. posted by Simon Linton on July 12, 2000 at 14:54:15:

    In the US, circuit breakers have all but replaced fuses. It sounds like the wiring topography here is much simpler. My main panel contains a 200 amp master breaker which feeds around thirty separate 10 amp breakers. Code requires that outlets located outside on the deck and in the front yard possess additional ground fault protection due to exposure to weather. Other than those, however, there is no need for further protection downstream at the component or appliance level. While I have seen tripped breakers, I have yet to see a fried one! Just recycle the switch and you're back running.
    
    

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    • I disagree........ BrianG 17:24:30 07/12/00 (1)
      In Reply to: Re: You don't need more than one fuse in a feed. posted by e-static on July 12, 2000 at 15:41:19:

      If you look at the short term surge current rating of the breakers in your main panel you will find short term currents mesured in thousands of amps. The purpose of the fuse in your equipment is to avoid those types of current flow should your equipment short. Even though that current may only flow for milliseconds, it is enough time for your wiring to heat dramatically before the wiring blows open. That is how electrical fires start!
      
      

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      • Re: I disagree........ e-static 17:09:41 07/14/00 (0)
        In Reply to: I disagree........ posted by BrianG on July 12, 2000 at 17:24:30:

        Perhaps I was not clear in my comments. I do not advocate removing any fuse that the manufacturer of a component places internally. Based on the following comments, however, I got the impression that there were additional fuses downstream in the home wiring and/or the power cord or plug itself due to local electrical code. None of my Audio Research, Ariston Audio, or Pioneer components have fuses in the "hi-fi plugs".

        "I agree with the other post that removing all fuses is playing Russian Roulette, but a way to improve sound without compromising safety is to uprate the fuses to 13A (in the UK, I don't know what the max. domestic rating would be in the US) rather than the 3A or 5A normally found in hi-fi plugs and distribution blocks."

        My intent was only to illuminate what appears to be differences in domestic wiring, not in the bypassing of them.
        
        
        

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• Re: Fuse in power pluge peter 10:00:14 07/12/00 (0)
  In Reply to: Fuse in power pluge posted by cktc on July 12, 2000 at 08:33:20:

  Hi
  No matter how claims are made to how bad a fuse may sound..Forget your equipment, think of your own safety.!!..Perhaps someone may have a sugestion of using a RCD instead of the fused plug.????

  Regards
  Peter
  
  

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