Power Cables and Wall Sockets

I can't access my internal wiring so I started improvements from the wall socket with Audioquest NRG 15 wall warts and all upper end Audioquest power cables, plus power conditioners. 

I can’t access my internal wiring so I started improvements from the wall socket with Audioquest NRG 15 wall warts and all upper end Audioquest power cables, plus power conditioners.

^this^ and all the majority of the rest of the posts are spearing off with testimonials on power cords and power cables.
So the cart is getting ahead of the horse a bit here.

The OP (later in his thread_ revealed that it’s more about the wiring the wall, as that is next up on his list with the house work.

holmz

1,029 posts

04-01-2022 at 06:36am

If you amp is causing lights to dim you have an extreme power problem. If the lights are dimming significantly, the circuit is overloaded, the breaker should be tripping. The circuit is overloaded. There is an increased fire risk. Jerry

We do not know that for sure…
I used to turn on a table saw and the light in the garage would go out when it started up.
(Yeah the birds jumped off of the wire with hot feet.)

But if there is 30A on a 40A feed from the pole, and only 12A on a 15A breaker, it does not mean a fire is imminent. That is what people use breakers and fuses for.

It just means that the voltage sags.

@holmz

First I have no idea what the branch circuit wiring is in the OP’s house. Type of wiring used or wiring method(s) used in the installation of the branch circuit wiring... With that said...

Other options to consider. VD, (Voltage Drop).

VD on the branch circuit wiring. VD is directly proportional to the load on the branch circuit wiring and the length X 2 of the branch circuit wiring. Voltage drop can be reduced in this instance by increasing the size of the conductor wire size of the branch circuit wiring.

Lets assume the branch circuit that the OP has his audio system plugged into is a 15 amp convenience outlet branch circuit. Copper conductors... There is not any limit to the number of how many duplex receptacle wall outlets that can be connected to the branch circuit wiring. Fixed lighting fixtures can also be connected to the circuit. The only limiting factor is the loads that are connected to the convenience outlet branch circuit. Over 15 amps continuous load(s) hopefully the 15 amp circuit breaker will trip open. (All wiring connections on the branch circuit are good)

Another cause of VD on branch circuit wiring is poor wiring connections on the circuit wiring. In the case of the OP’s house he stated the wall outlet receptacles were 40+ years old. Original outlets installed when the house was built? Lets assume that is the case. That puts the house was built in 1982 or earlier...

During that time frame the popular duplex outlets house wireman were using was the so called stab in the back duplex receptacle outlet. The duplex receptacle was used to make-up the branch circuit connections by stabbing the wires in the quick connect connectors. Several outlets could be daisy chained together on a branch by feeding in and feeding out using the stab in the back quick connections.

They worked ok when new but after the passage of time combined with the connected load(s) placed on the connection they would corrode and heat up under load. Heat causes the wire connection pressure clip to lose its memory tension. With heat and corrosion add to that carbon created by series arcing. This will cause a VD across the poor connection. The amount of VD will change with the connected load...

Worse case the arcing creates more heat and carbon and more arcing and can cause the bad connection to burn free breaking open the circuit. In a worse case the arcing causes enough arcing sparks that results in an electrical fire...

Note above I said copper conductors... In the 1970s and I believe in 1980, maybe 1981-1982, depends on the State, Romex with aluminum wire conductors was used in wiring new houses. (#12 AL for 15 amp circuits. #10 AL for 20 amp circuits) Could it be worse? Ya, the electricians were using the stab in the back duplex receptacles to daisy chain the outlets from one to the next.

Dangers of Back Stabbing Electrical Outlets

For what it's worth, I use the Maestro outlets with a dedicated line. The sound is extraordinarily quiet and dynamic. The outlets could be a little grippier. Used cables make the most sense for me and I've never had a problem with any of them.

@jea48 agree.

I would certainly not like the lights doing a discotheque, but it does not always guarantee a fire hazard.

So it is good to know whether it is normal, but rarer, voltage sag... or a situation such as you’ve pointed out.