question about VirtualDynamics Reference PC

Some questions:

1)What two points are you measuring the "ground voltage" between?
2)When you make this measurement, is the power cord connected to a component?
3)If so, is the component connected via interconnects to other components?
4)If so, do the other components have 3-prong power cords, that are plugged in to the ac?
5)Is/are the component(s) turned on when you are making the measurements (assuming the cord is connected to a component for the measurements)?
6)What voltage fluctuations are you referring to? A power cord will not have any effect on voltage fluctuations of the incoming ac line (it is not a voltage regulator). It will only affect fluctuations in the voltage loss between one end of the cord and the other, that may result from fluctuations in the amount of current that is drawn through the cord by the component. That voltage loss will be small if the cord is of adequate gauge.

Regards,
-- Al

Some answers to the questions.The power cable is connected in to the wall and female into the FLUKE1711.The Fluke measures the voltage ,it provides the results in a number of representations.The voltage display shows the voltage vs time.Two displays,one of the main voltage and one of the ground voltage.In all measurements involving conditioners as well a Stage3 pc,the resulting ground voltage is between 0.5and 2.0 varying as a function of time.Only the VD PC have the voltage at around 60v.As far as power cables altering the voltage ,when the statistical distribution of the voltage is represented it shows the standard deviation for the voltages and the value is increased or decreased with different cables,I cannot explain that neither.As for conditioners example the Weizi "conditioner" increases the average voltage,and reduces the ground voltage,while the Shunyata decreases the average voltage and the burmester keeps it at 120 with smallest spread/variations.I am still at a loss I wonder if Rick Schultz the cable designer could help?

Thanks for the clarifications. I couldn't find any information on the Fluke 1711, but I'm guessing from your description that it is ac powered, rather than battery powered (correct me if I'm wrong).

I would also assume that as an ac voltmeter it would draw negligible current through the cord. Therefore there should be essentially no voltage drop across the resistance of the cord, and the voltages seen by the meter at the end of the cord should be essentially identical to the voltages that are going into the cord at the wall outlet.

Therefore if my understanding of the meter is correct, it seems inconceivable that if the power cords are wired correctly, that any of them could make any difference in any of the readings, of either the "hot" (main) voltage or the "ground voltage" (which I assume is the voltage between the ac neutral wire and the ac safety ground wire). Either the line conditions are changing when you see fluctuations, or the meter is doing something strange.

As far as the 55 to 60 volt ground reading is concerned, assuming that the reading of the main voltage is reasonable (120V or so, hot to neutral), and assuming that the meter is ac powered, then I think that George (Xti16) is correct -- the ac safety ground connection in those cords is open. You can easily check that if the meter provides an ohmmeter function, or if you have a separate multimeter. Of course, have the cord disconnected from the wall when you make any resistance measurements.

Regards,
-- Al

One further comment. In all honesty, I don't see any value in obtaining these voltage measurements, at least for the power cords. I'm not familiar with the specific conditioners, so I won't comment on them. But aside from verifying that the cords provide the correct continuity on all 3 wires, which you should do with an ohmmeter, making voltage measurements when essentially no current is flowing through the cords is of no value, IMO, aside from telling you what is present at the wall outlet.

And even if a component were connected and substantial current were flowing through the cords, all you would be accomplishing, at best, would be verifying that the manufacturer's specifications for gauge and/or resistance are correct.

Regards,
-- Al