2. misc-audio
  3. 157777-13272

Measuring line noise and power conditioners

I recently purchased a Trifield EMI (Dirty Electricity) Line Meter to measure noise coming from my outlets. To my surprise, my $500 power conditioner (name withheld to protect the potentially innocent) appears to not filter any noise per the Trifield readings. In fact, with some of my outlets the measures are higher through the conditioner’s outlets, than the measures coming straight out of the wall. The manufacturer denies anything is wrong with their conditioner, claiming the Trifield is measuring the wrong frequencies. Can anyone explain?

output555
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@slaw Do you like your Alpha Labs meter?  Been thinking about picking one up.
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,644 posts
 
Hi,
I have nothing to compare it to. It was expensive. However, it's a nice piece to have.
erik_squires
16,130 posts
 
If we are talking about this meter:


https://www.alphalabinc.com/product/plm/


You are measuring starting at 20 kHz and going up.  That is, these devices START measuring noise at the upper limit of human hearing.

While many surge protectors claim to block EMI/RFI, they also claim to start working in the 100kHz ranges, way higher than noise we'd hear.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

With that Trifield you can also detect ghosts.

In their YouTube demo videos, I'm not sure what meter Isotek uses, it might be the one from Alpha labs or similar.  Search: noise sniffer.

slaw's avatar
slaw
21,644 posts
 
@erik_squires ,

What’s wrong with that?.

Frankly, I heard a substantial improvement in SQ, then I realized I had the meter. It seemed to confirm, In a measurable way, the increase in SQ I was experiencing.
More to discover