Forums - Grounded power outlet?

Phillip Griffith Verified Member Posts: 9	Grounded power outlet? 01/12/15 at 23:15:24 I'm in an old house with mostly ungrounded power outlets. From reading the plans for the Zen kits, it appears having a grounded power supply is necessary. Does this mean I need to invest in a grounded circuit before I consider buying a tube amp? There must be plenty of other folks here in old houses. What do you do?
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deucekazoo

Seasoned Member

Posts: 461

Re: Grounded power outlet?
Reply #1 - 01/12/15 at 23:32:12

If its an old house it probably uses conduit to run the wires. All you need to do is buy a new outlet with the ground pin(3 holes). Once you put those in you are grounded. If you have romex, just hook up the green wire to the new outlet green screw. Anyway you look at it all you need is a new outlet. I like the 20 amp outlets. They hold the plug in better and they usually have a pressure clamp system to hold the wires so you don't have to loop it around the screw.

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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 25750	Re: Grounded power outlet? Reply #2 - 01/13/15 at 00:22:07 What dk said! You'll be fine.
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Phillip Griffith

Verified Member

Posts: 9

Re: Grounded power outlet?
Reply #3 - 01/13/15 at 22:20:35

I'll call an electrician. My electrical expertise is mostly limited to changing flashlight batteries, and I don't always get that right. Reading the Zen amp plans was a Walter Mitty fantasy for me.

Once I get my grounded power outlet, does that mean I can start exploring the world of power conditioning? I'm thinking Tripp-Lite is the budget choice, with Furman for pro audio, Monster for home theater, and PS Audio for audiophiles. Am I leaving anybody out?

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mark58

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Posts: 5647

Re: Grounded power outlet?
Reply #4 - 01/13/15 at 23:15:21

Add one more Conditioner to your list to research. I use Running Springs Audio Conditioners in both systems. A Jaco in the Listening Cave and a Haley in the Den. A fellow Decware owner/poster recommended them. I think they do a fine job. Mark.

PS...here's a used one...looks like a deal. http://www.head-fi.org/t/749200/running-springs-audio-haley-power-conditioner-6-...

http://power.apitech.com/audio-power-conditioners-and-cords.aspx

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"The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with the concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, deceptions, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night and his affections dark as Hell. Let no such man be trusted." William Shakespeare

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Archie Seasoned Member Posts: 2731	Re: Grounded power outlet? Reply #5 - 01/13/15 at 23:36:34 I had an old house in LA that used 2 wire Romex. No ground. It may not be as simple as installing a grounded outlet. Although, it might be as simple as running a ground to a copper water pipe for the one circuit.
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Ace-Tone

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8+ years with
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Loving it!!!

Posts: 775

Re: Grounded power outlet?
Reply #6 - 01/14/15 at 22:57:40

Hey all. I've read many a good review on the , Blue Circle Audio - PLC thingee FX2 Xoe available with 4 or 6 outlets ( power conditioner). Touted as a giant killer & priced right at $495 for the 6 outlet. I pulled the plug and just purchased one. Will give my impressions once installed and settled in. I currently have no power regeneration in my system.

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Ace-Tone Seasoned Member 8+ years with Decware gear and Loving it!!! Posts: 775	Re: Grounded power outlet? Reply #7 - 01/14/15 at 22:59:08 PS. will be changing wall power recepticle to a Hubbell 8300.
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Geno Seasoned Member Without music, life would be a mistake. Posts: 2219	Re: Grounded power outlet? Reply #8 - 06/29/18 at 01:50:09 Ace, how did the blue circle thingee work out?
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Ace-Tone Seasoned Member 8+ years with Decware gear and Loving it!!! Posts: 775	Re: Grounded power outlet? Reply #9 - 06/29/18 at 19:26:18 Geno, Very well. Absolutely no complaints. I may add a bit more once some $$ frees up. Good bang for the buck!
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4krow

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Posts: 1666

Re: Grounded power outlet?
Reply #10 - 09/12/18 at 20:16:08

In reference to the two wire grounding, I am hoping that conduit idea was used. Probably not, and if so, you still have to prove that it was connected... ALL the way to the AC panel. Anyway, the same may apply to the water pipe idea. Let's say that you find a copper pipe to connect to. That is fine, as long as that pipe isn't fed by a plastic pipe. Then there are those that will tell you to use a ground rod, separate from the power panel. Again, not the best idea, since you want ALL AC in the house referenced to the main AC panel. It would be great to think that you have access from an unfinished basement so that you could run a separate ground wire to your receptacle, but I am probably dreming.

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