Equi=Core Hum & Other Issues

@lowrider57

For some reason the above post, I originally posted last night, was corrupted after it looked fine after I posted it. The post this morning is the same without the corrupted part as seen at the top sentence of the post last night. I then deleted the post.

With that out of the way.....

I would like you to preform a test when you get a chance. Plug a vacuum cleaner into the wall outlet of the 20 amp dedicated circuit that has been tripping the breaker. Most walk behind vacuum cleaners have a so called 12 amp motor. That means if the motor is loaded, vacuuming carpet, it will draw 12 amps, or slightly less... That is a good load test for the branch circuit wiring as well as the branch circuit breaker.

It should power up fine without tripping the breaker. But,.... there is all them breaker trips and resets.... One thing for sure if the vacuum runs just fine that clears any finger pointing at the branch circuit wiring and breaker causing the problem.


You still need to hire an electrician and have him trouble shoot your situation. At the very least have the 20 amp breaker in the sub panel replaced.
I kept forgetting to ask, what manufacturer made the sub panel and breaker?
Example, Square D? Square D QO? Square D Homeline?

The electrician will be more than qualified to look at the Equi=Core unit. You can save some money by having the top cover already removed before he looks at it. You might ask him, when you call him, if he has a Megger? If he does ask him to bring it with him.

Megger is a trade name of an insulation tester. Example of:
https://www.grainger.com/product/MEGGER-Insulation-Tester-54JH70?ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI_Pu6tfHx5wIVx0XVC...

I would also let him know what manufacture made the sub panel. On the inside of the hinged cover it should list the manufacturer as well as the model number.
That way he will know for sure he has the 20 amp breaker in his Service Van when he comes to your home. Time is money....

Jim
.

 @jea48 
Square D QO main panel,
8 space 100 amp.

Going to try to have the electrician who did the install come to the house. Will call today.
 I was planning to open up the EquiCore before his service call....
-- Should I have the audio sources hooked up so he can test it under load?
-- What type of breaker should I request he bring; a heavy duty or commercial breaker?

Good idea to try the vacuum cleaner. As always, I appreciate your time.
Jim S.

@lowrider57

Square D QO. Good Choice.

No doubt he carries a Square D QO 120 breaker in his service van. Still wouldn’t hurt to tell him the breaker is a QO 120 breaker. Only a Square D QO breaker will work in the panel.

No need to have the audio equipment hooked up to the Equi Core unit. If he needs a load you can always use pretty much anything with a cord and plug you have in your home for a load.

You might prepare a place on the dining room table for him to look at the Equi Core unit So he doesn’t have to get down on his hands and knees. Make sure he has good lighting. Natural lighting works best.

Also you might mention the transformer has a 60/120V split phase secondary winding. The two outer 120V leads are both ungrounded that connect to the duplex receptacle AC Line, Mains, contacts.
The secondary winding center tap neutral lead is bonded, grounded, to the chassis and to the equipment ground contacts on the duplex receptacle outlets.
(NEC ARTICLE 647 Sensitive Electronic Equipment.)

Jim

@jea48  Thanks for the transformer wiring info.
I'd like to keep you updated if you don't mind. Electrician appt. is Tuesday; my service order states to inspect panel and subpanel, replace the subpanel breaker, and inspect/service the Equi=Core.

I pulled the EQ out of service and will pop the top this weekend. I have a Brick Wall passive conditioner in the circuit running digital devices, no issues.
But now I'm hearing hum from the power transformer in my Atma-sphere amp. It uses the second dedicated circuit from subpanel with my preamp. I'll have to check with Ralph, the amp is supposed to have a DC blocker built in. Preamp is Audio Note using their large EI transformer.

This leads me to the question; can DC offset be measured by the electrician either at the service panel or the wall receptacles?

@grannyring , made an appt. with the electrician.
This device is highly thought of on the forums...
https://avahifi.com/products/humdinger-dc-line-blocker

Will the very large toroid in the Equi=Core 1800 be a problem for a small device such as this?