Hospital Grade Wall Outlets

Both suggestions above are accurate. However, It is usually a violation of local code to run the ground separate from the main panel. I agree with A2z that it sounds better, but it is sometime difficult to find an electrician who will do this for you. Just for the record, I did separate my grounds from the main panel. I took the time to explain my needs, well in advance of the job to convince the electrician that I knew exactly what I needed. One other point, regardless of the type of ground, the construction of the box you mount your hospital receptacle into can well determine the ultimate result. If the mounting box is metal, it is often grounded to the main panel. In that case, a separate ground can cause a loop, where you may get hum. If you use a PVC box to mount the hospital grade outlet into, you resolve this problem. Be warned though, the PVC has no capability to provide an emergency ground, so the ground screw on the receptacle is the only shot at getting that plug safe to ground. Be certain too, before you wire in that new receptacle, that you check its construction. Every brand of hospital grade receptacle sounds different, and even among the different brands there are several types of construction. I prefer the Hubbell brand, and be sure that it shows the golden copper color inside, where the business end of your male plug goes. The ones that are plated with the silver colored anti corrosion material (zinc?) sound terrible. Best luck.

To Albertporter: Do the hospital grade wall outlets with the silver colored anti corrosion plating inside sound worse, the same, or better than an average wall outlet that is normally in a wall? I've just had hospital grade outlets installed and don't know what brand they are or what plating is inside. It was what the electrician had on hand.I'm interested in knowing. I've just sold my speakers and am waiting on new ones, so I can't listen for myself right now. Thank you very much.

Elb - While the system is down, change out those receptacles. Look for the Leviton receptacles(20A) that don't use nickel plating. It will be worth your trouble.

jcbtubes, what is the model number of the ni free Leviton. I just installed some Levitons but don't know if they are ni free or not.

For the benefit of others who may read this thread and be interested in buying Hubbell hospital-grade outlets, I wanted to share a good buying tip. I recently bought 3 of the Hubbell outlets from "The Aduiophile Store", which is operated by UHF Magazine, a Canadian publication. They offer a number of items through their online store, including the Hubbell outlets. I paid $60 CDN, which is $40 US, for the 3 outlets -- substantially better than the prices I've seen at up to $30 each on some of the audiophile sites. If you want to order, here is the Web site address: http://www.uhfmag.com/AudiophileStore.html