Power problems.... Ground, dedicated lines, ect


Might have listed this in the wrong place. Sorry for the double up.

Here is a topic I would love to know the "real answers". Who do you hire to check out your home power coming from your local power company? I had a "local" electrician install 2 dedicated 20 amp outlets. But something tells me my power is not "right". For example, the lights dim when the air conditioner comes on.

1. Can you call your local power company and be assured that the power coming to your breaker box is "right"? How do you get proof? What questions do you ask and are shown that it's right?

2. Is there a brand of breaker box better than what may be installed?

3. Ground? How do you "know" you ground is fully grounded?

4. How do you check outlets? Or find outlet problems?

I have read on here and agree that the best way to build a good system is to start with your power coming to your equipment.

I am using a Furman Elite 20 PFi. Which is their latest greatest before going to their reference products.

I also contacted my cable company and they are changing the signal booster to the new model that is supposed to be up to date.

Any help or info would be appreciated.
128x128calldr

Showing 1 response by undertow

First and easiest approach is to make sure everything is in the correct phase.. This means your Neutral is actually connected to the neutral spade etc... on the outlet not the Hot... They sell "3 Prong" power testers that you pick up at the hardware store for between 8 and 10 bucks, they have 3 led lights on them, each light indicates a different issue with a legend key to tell you what it means right on the unit.. Basically you can not hook this tester up wrong, or do any damage, it plugs into a 3 prong outlet and automatically knows if you are missing a ground somewhere in the system, or have a reverse polarity etc..

You will want to go and plug it into each and every outlet you have hooked to your system, If one outlet has an out of phase connection and its just your CD player for example running off it, than its not in phase with the rest of the stuff plug into the other outlets, this can make a very thin and less dynamic sound for sure..

Problem is with A/C power units will still power up if phase is wrong normally, but if you ever look at an outlet you know one SPADE is a little Larger than the other and you take Power connectors on your cable and see that one SPADE is KEYED larger than the other as well so you can only plug it in one way... However that does not mean that the Wire in your wall is not hooked to the back of the outlet in reverse because they all fit anyway you want!

This could cause you to have more noise and dim lights too from what I understand if you have your refridgertor or washing machine etc... Plugged in out of phase as well because the outlet is installed backwards on that unit, and it goes all the way back to your panel so it can effect other things upstream...

Best thing would be go and plug this device into all the outlets in your home and check the phase on everything and correct any that are wrong.. Obviously this would not effect the performance of your microwave or alarm clock but could cause Video and audio issues I guess..

I have no clue if this will help, but I have done this in the past and had better results. here is a link to the type of tester

Oh and I am sorry wrong terminology I did not mean phase exactly but POLARITY Testing all your outlets see link

http://www.mcmconnect.com/tenma/product/72-6791/Miscellaneous%20Testers%20and%20Meters