Transformers humimg........again


Yes I'm starting a new transformer hum thread. I read through most of the others, but did not find the info I was after, sorry.
Let's start. I have a dedicated 20A line for my audio gear. Gear consists of a BPT 3.5 Signature ac isolator, Jolida JD9 II phono pre, Naim 5i-2 int. amp., two REL T-5 subs, and a Clearaudio Concept TT. Now the important part, ALL components that utilize a transformer (BPT, Naim, REL's) all have transformer hum. And yes, it is transformer hum, NOT sound from the speakers. I had a buddy, who's an electrician, over last night, and we tore everything apart from the main box to the outlet, no results. Tried many other outlets in the house, with and without the BPT unit. No difference, all transformers still humming, whether alone or not. Unfortunately, my power is fed to my house from overhead lines, but so be it. I can't change that unless I move.
Question to answer, "what can I do to stop the transformers from humming?" The hum is not overwhelming, fairly subtle actually, but nonetheless, it is something I would like to eliminate.
Can anyone offer experienced or educated replies?

Thanks :)
128x128shawnlh
atmasphere
What is your line voltage? It should not exceed 125V for more than a second. If its high that could explain the problem.
+1 for checking this.

Canada is supposed to be 120v.
In Australia we’re supposed to be 230v mine measured quite constantly around 250v, incandescent light globes would last a couple of months, yes my transformers were a little noisy with a screwdriver to the ear test, but the worst is your paying more for your power, when using unregulated appliances, fridges, aircon, heaters,lighting, poweramps, microwaves ect ect.
I complained very hard, and eventually they put the whole street on a different tap on the pole transformer down the road. Now I have correct 230- 235v no more globes blowing, and my usage is down. And I swear my system sounds better, even after I re-biased my amps, back to what they were with the 250v.

Cheers George
You can put in a large isolation transformer and create your own neutral.  It is called a "separately derived system" in the NEC handbook.  I designed a 50 KVA split phase line system, 120V-0V-120V, from 3 phase 208VAC using two 25KVA isolation transformers for a solar energy lab here in CA.  This is the basic 120V/240V mains in North America.  You will also need a suitable earth ground on the output neutral.  For your system, a 10 to 12KVA isolation transformer will do, such as a Square D or equivalent.  Do get a good one, the cheaper ones have very little headroom.

The hum in my I have found in my system deals with the transformer magnetic field driving into the chassis and creating a leakage current flowing to the earth ground wire or through the RCA shields.   I don't recommend isolating your equipment from earth but you can isolate your transformers in your equipment from the chassis using grommets.  To test this theory, remove all connecting cables and plug the unit into the mains, then turn it on, and see if you have hum.  If the unit does not hum and if it does not have a earth ground in the power cord, connect the chassis to earth and see if it starts to hum.  If it does, you have found part of your problem.   Do this for each piece of equipment that plugs into the wall.

Also, I did have one obscure hum problem once but it was the receptacle where line and neutral were swapped.  I had hum every time I plugged something into this outlet.  Given what you published, I assume this is not your problem.   You can get a outlet wire checker at your local hardware store for 10 bucks or less - it will save you from opening up each outlet to check the wiring.
Toroidial transformers are very sensitive to mounting, both orientation and bolt tightness. I quit using a BAT VK30 because of transformer hum.  I bought a humbuster, no help. Left it at my tech who tested it for noise and called me saying it was better than spec. Then I told him it was mechanical hum.  He repositioned the transformer and fixed the problem while I was on the phone by loosening the bolt and reorienting the transformer. BTW, I had called BAT for help and was told their products do not hum.
I had a amp that had physical hum coming from the transformer. turned out to be my TV set on the same AC line.