Can't tell,if my house is properly grounded

OP, I realize you already have a Furman Elite Power conditioner, but to the point of the thread (based on the topic title), there are plenty of electrical testing devices to check for proper grounding. 

Something simple like an Emotiva CMX-2 which can remove DC (not saying that is the cause of your hi/low buzz) also has line monitor LED indicators that detect "line correct", "open ground", "open neutral hot ground reversed", "open hot" and "hot neutral reversed". 

last_lemming,

I have another test for you if you have not already tried it.

With the preamp plugged into the AC outlet but powered off, not in standby if it has a standby feature, do you get hum/buzz through the amp/speakers?
I believe if the preamp has AC line filtering it is done near the IEC inlet connector ahead of the main power on/off switch. I am not 100% sure of that though.

Post back your results.

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Voltage test measurements.

With the amp and preamp powered up check for AC voltage at the wall receptacle.
For the test if both receptacles of the duplex have plugs inserted in them slightly pull the preamp plug out just a little so you can touch the meter test lead probes to the far outside sides of the hot and neutral blades and the equipment ground pin of the plug. Caution, be careful you are dealing with lethal voltage. **Also I assume the wall plate is plastic or nylon. IT Can Not be metal.

Tests

1) Set meter to AC auto voltage. If the meter does not have an auto voltage setting set the meter to the closest scale above 130Vac. Setting will probably will be 150Vac.

2) Next with both the preamp and amp turned on, powered up, measure the voltage from the hot to the neutral at the wall receptacle. Write down the measurement. This measure will give you the loaded idle voltage of the audio equipment at the duplex receptacle. It should be around 120V. Above 124Vac is not considered good.

3) Next measure the Voltage from the Hot, (smaller straight blade slot hole of the two slots of the wall receptacle), to the safety equipment ground. Write down the voltage measurement. It should match the voltage reading as you got above. Though depending on all the combined loads connected to the 15 amp branch circuit it could be slightly higher due to VD, Voltage Drop, on the neutral wire of the branch circuit.
(This measurement also tells you the receptacle AC polarity is correct.)

4) Next measure from the neutral, the bigger of the two slot holes on the receptacle, to the equipment ground. For this reading hopefully your meter has an auto AC voltage setting. If not start with the scale used in the two previous tests and reset the meter to the lowest appropriate lower AC Voltage scale. Hopefully working down to an AC millivolt scale. Write down the voltage. The closer to a zero reading the better. Though depending on the VD on the branch circuit, the higher the neutral to equipment ground AC voltage measurement will be. Hopefully it is not above 1volt - 1.8 volts.

Post back your voltage measurements.

PS, if you want true loaded voltage measurements play some dynamic music at a moderate to above moderate to loud listening level. Then repeats the above test measurements.
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Will do - just so I'm clear:

hot = smaller blade
neutral = larger blade
ground = small round hole below the two blade holes. 

I know I sound like a simpleton here, but I don't want to shock myself or damage the equipment. Also I'm assuming I will not damage the equipment as long as I follow the above procedure - for instance testing hot and neutral at the same time while equipment is on. 

last_lemming OP 275 posts 02-21-2017 3:22pm


Will do - just so I’m clear:

hot = smaller blade
neutral = larger blade
ground = small round hole below the two blade holes.

I know I sound like a simpleton here, but I don’t want to shock myself or damage the equipment. Also I’m assuming I will not damage the equipment as long as I follow the above procedure - for instance testing hot and neutral at the same time while equipment is on.

I made several edits in my last post. You might want to reread it again.

hot = smaller blade
neutral = larger blade
ground = small round hole below the two blade holes.

Hole slot sizes on the receptacle face itself. The hot and neutral blades on the 3 wire grounding plug are the same size.

I know I sound like a simpleton here, but I don’t want to shock myself or damage the equipment.

Don’t touch the metal probes with your fingers. Just make sure to touch the far outside sides of the plug blades. When touching the safety equipment ground pin touch it from the bottom side of the pin. You can also use the metal screw that holds the duplex cover plate on.

If it makes you feel safer wrap some electrical vinyl tape around most of the metal of the probes of the meter test lead probes leaving only the metal tips exposed.

Finally If you still do not feel safe measuring the AC voltages, Don’t do it! Safety first.

Also I’m assuming I will not damage the equipment as long as I follow the above procedure - for instance testing hot and neutral at the same time while equipment is on.

No, it will not damage any of your equipment. The multimeter is a high resistance meter. The branch circuit won’t even know you are checking it out.

Take your time. Again, if you do not feel safe don’t do it!
.

That clarifies everything.  I'm not too scared of it, i've done a little bit of electrical  investigation on cars and a little on homes but  I just like being very clear when I do stuff with it!