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Question about electrical outlets

I have a pretty basic headphone based system - headphone amp, digital and analog sources. There are six components total which need to be plugged in. Currently I have all 6 plugged into a Wiremold power strip which is plugged directly into a outlet.

If I were to separate my components, say digital into one power strip and analog into another strip and then plug both strips into the SAME outlet would there be any electrical "isolation" achieved by separating the components this way? I don't currently have a second decent power strip to try so I wanted to get some feedback before buying another one.

Thanks in advance for any insight!
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williewonka
3,098 posts
 
Apologies - the first time I Googled wiremold something else much less Impressive came up - you might find the Furman power bar will not perform any better than the wiremold.

A power conditioner might be your next best bet. This cleaned up my system until I could implement a much better power bar

Checkout the Furman PST-8 D - a little on the pricey side, but should work very well
http://www.furmansound.com/page.php?div=02&id=TECH

The best config for any power bar is a "star" type connection ( see DIY power bar in my System for schematic)- where all outlets are connected to a central point, instead of simply connecting them in parallel. It has the same effect as connecting each plug into a wall outlet.

Regards
gvasale's avatar
gvasale
99 posts
 
Hold on to your hats now. Output devices & other systems have been suffereing for years for lack of "star" interconnectivity. Sorry. Thats like believing that the holes on the blades of electric plugs are to let the electricity in. All electric panels are parallel distribution.
68pete
1,006 posts
 
Check out PSAUDIO very easy to talk to
williewonka
3,098 posts
 
Gvasale - apologies, I used the wrong term - the method of connection I was referring to is a "BUSBAR", where each outlet is wired directly to a single live and neutral point or rail - as opposed to bridging the wire from outlet to outlet.

I've found this affords a level of isolation between the attached components, similar to installing a dedicated line for the hi-fi isolates it from the electrical noise created by other household appliances connected to the same breaker panel.

Please see Power Bar Wiring (scroll to the bottom)

Regards...
gvasale's avatar
gvasale
99 posts
 
Willie, If you look at the big picture, you'll see that buss bars & every single or multiple outlets are still wired in parallel, as are the feeds from the
"light poles" so you just can't ever get away from a parallel connection. Are some buss bars better than others?

For sure. Is a buss bar made out of a 1/4" square bars going to show an improbement? I tend to doubt it, unless you system draws 100 amps at idle (just guessing at the capacity of a 1/4" square bar.) I bet someone here would know that one would safely carry.
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