Power cords: does length matter?


This is a serious question, however if you don’t believe that anything about power cords matter, and you feel the need to make a joke out of the question, feel free.

Anyway: I have noted that all the stock power cords that have been provided by the manufacturers for my equipment are about six feet long. After looking at various aftermarket power cords on the internet, I note that they can be ordered in various lengths from one meter on up.

I would think that the shortest possible power cord in any given application would be desirable (meaning one meter if it would work), but I find that a lot of notions I had about things like this are often wrong (such as what I very recently posted on misc about manually tripping breakers to protect components). So am I also mistaken about selecting lengths of power cords?

TIA for any and all legitimate consideration and answers to this question, and to all others, enjoy the laughs.

immatthewj

Hi Matthew- actually the theory is that power supplies are myopic - they really only react to what is closest to them.  That is why an upgraded power cord does result in upgraded performance even after hundreds of feet of romex in front of it.  Anyway - the optimal length for power cords is 5 ft - beyond that in length makes virtually no difference in the component's performance.  This is not only my experience, but also that of several well-regarded power cord designers.  Hope that helps you.  I know that this is going to draw out the nay-sayers, but happy to help a fellow enthusiast.

By that reasoning the best sound would be having the amp power supply right at the breaker box. Then two long pieces of wire to carry the + and -  DC of the rectified AC to the rest of the amp circuit. Absurd!

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