2. cables
  3. 1130309135

AC polarisation. Does it matter?

I just realised that most of my cords switch from positive to negative and negative to positive from the male end of my cords to the iec's Does this matter? The two cords that are correct are the cord to my CDP and the cord to my tuner but the cord to my Hydra which feeds the whole system is reversed. I was just wondering if this is an issue or very minor if an issue at all.
Thanks for your help.
128x128mitchb

Showing 2 responses by jea48

jea48
2,944 posts
 
Yes Polarity is very important. If incorrect it can effect the sonics of equipment. Hi-End manufactures check and make sure the primary polarity of the power transformer is correct. Check the archives for the proper method to check for proper AC plorarity.
Incorrect AC polarity can also can cause hum in a system connected by ICs.
On a safety matter the fusing inside the equipment would be on the other end of the power transformer primary winding. In other words instead of the fuse protection on the incoming hot conductor it would be connected on the neutral, the grounded conductor.
jea48
2,944 posts
 
>"With the reversed cord going to my hydra and reversed cords from my hydra to the amp and preamp does it not balance out assumnming the house is wired properly? As for the CDP and tuner they would be reversed because their cords are properly wired .Which would be worse, reversed sources or reversed amps?"<
>>>>>>>

What a fri*ken mess. How did you ever end up with these power cords?

If you have a multi-meter you can check the polarity at the wall outlet. Set the meter to AC volts insert one test lead probe in the ground hole. Insert the other test lead probe in the smaller of the two staight slot holes. If the polarity is correct the meter will read around 115 to 120V, depending on what your house voltage is.

Follow Gs556 advice and do a continuity check to make sure the cords are as you have described. Are these cords home made? Can you rewire one end of the affected cords?
More to discover