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Outlet shoot out

OK I am doing new outlets this month. What to use?? Standard issue Hubbel hospital grades? PS Audio? FIM? other?? what do you use and why? what else did you try? There have been a few threads on outlets but I don't recall seeing one comparing them, also perhaps a different outlet for amps and sources, anyone try that? This is a relatively cheap tweak(expensive outlets are under $100) and about time I tried it! Thanks for any input.
~Tim
tireguy
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
well, i have something really important to do (i just gotta go clean the rocks out of my tires RIGHT NOW) or i would go do an Outlet shootout.

but somewhat seriously, i confess i just accepted the advice of Jennifer Crock and bought her (Jena Labs) deep-immersion cry'od outlets without doing a comparison when i installed my dedicated lines. the complete dedicated line system was a major improvement over my previous standard residential outlets and circuts. but i can't say exactly what the outlets did in the big picture.

anyway, i appreciate the work (it is work comparing outlets....or power cords.....or power conditioners) and feedback that others can use to make their decisions.
hdm
1,062 posts
 
Sean: The 8300/8200's I use are not isolated ground, but the Hubbell website shows those models also available in isolated ground, with no nickel plating on the contacts (contact area is smaller, so I'm just assuming the extra contact area is the plating itself-about 1/10 of mm.) Haven't heard them so can't comment and no idea of price. I have had experience with the Leviton isolated ground (with bronze contacts) at both the wall and in my line conditioner (they were the standard receptacles in my line conditioner) and they were no match for the Hubbells I currently use.
sean
6,231 posts
 
hahah... Mike, you had me thinking for a moment. I was wondering how you had gotten rocks INSIDE your tires ??? Then it finally dawned on me as to what you were actually talking about and getting at : )

Hdm, thanks for that info. I'd like to start looking for houses and all of this info will come in handy when i get ready to relocate. Only problem is that the area that i was interested in will become a landing strip for an airport in the near future : ( Sean
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sol322
426 posts
 
Has anyone tried direct to the wall wire?i.e. "hard wiring at the wall end"?
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
Sean, i should have said "tire treads".....but you got the idea. ;^)

Sol322, the problem is that you don't violate your local electrical codes by "direct to the wall" wireing. have a competent electrician do any high-voltage unless you happen to be knowledgeable. better safe than sorry.

in theory, direct wireing COULD be better. but if you ever had an emergency and needed to disconnect something without a plug to disconnect, you could have a problem. also, any time you needed to move the gear or open it up it would be a safety and logistical challenge.
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