How To Do You Measure the Quality of Your AC Power?


What is the best way to measure the quality of the AC power feeding your listening room? Is there a device you can plug into an outlet that will give you the voltage, frequency, the total amount of distortion relative to a perfect sine wave, etc.? Furthermore, how would you measure the ability of your AC main to deliver transient currents?
It seems like there may be a scenario where you could measure your power quality to be excellent but somewhere in the line you could have a loose or poorly made wiring connection which under heavy load (such as powerful bass notes) you could run into trouble with power delivery. In this scenario, an AC regenerator would not help you, or would help very little.

Just curious what methods people have come up with to systematically analyze their power and how they use those measurements to drive buying decisions or repair work, if needed.

Edit: My apologies for the title typo.
128x128mkgus

Showing 1 response by pinthrift

Hi mkgus,

Twenty years ago, when we and the bank purchased our home, the lights dimmed when the fridge and furnace powered up.  A phone call to the Central Maine Power Company brought them out immediately to test.  The following Sunday at 10am, they installed a new pole, transformer and lovely ground outside of our house.  I later learned that on weekends, stand-by crews will often do the odd job, keeping them busy.

My supportive Master Electrician (who works Nuclear Submarine Panels, at nearby Bath Iron Works,) later isolated the two dedicated studio lines on our electric panel, away from the big power draws.  Over time, I've upgraded to a Furutech outlet w/cover plate, along with a replacement male Furutech plug for my hardwired Panamax M4300-PM line conditioner.  I suppose it's obvious by now that after 45 years of hi-fi, I consider isolated power and good wire no less essential to great sound than equipment choices.  For me, our hobby is a process, each improvement freshening our collections and triggering our passions. 

Now, let the eyerolls begin.  My most recent system addition is the Furutech NCF Clear Line AC power line optimizer.  In a small studio, I am always looking to add depth and MUSICAL micros to my soundstage.  It accomplishes that.  A caveat; I have no affiliation to Furutech and elect to  buy their products from The Cable Company, keeping away from black market concerns.  I'm always happy to pay full price in support of premium products.  

Thassaabboutit!  More Peace, Pin