safe power to VTF-3R

[tgrisham]

I am reconfiguring my audio-video room. I have been powering my VTF-3R from a wall outlet near my audio rack. I can now run it on a dedicated AC line along with all my other gear, run it through a Monster Power 3600 on my dedicated line, or on an inexpensive power strip, still on the dedicated line. I am afraid of lightning strikes and power surges since I live in the country, especially using a 2 prong cheater plug. Does it matter which line I use? What are your opinions (especially Sasha) on my problem? Thanks.

[Sasha_G]

I am reconfiguring my audio-video room. I have been powering my VTF-3R from a wall outlet near my audio rack. I can now run it on a dedicated AC line along with all my other gear, run it through a Monster Power 3600 on my dedicated line, or on an inexpensive power strip, still on the dedicated line. I am afraid of lightning strikes and power surges since I live in the country, especially using a 2 prong cheater plug. Does it matter which line I use? What are your opinions (especially Sasha) on my problem? Thanks.

Subwoofers and Dedicated Lines

If any speaker benefits from a direct, dedicated line, it’s the subwoofer. Subwoofers use a lot of energy, and the power along an extension cord or long power line in the wall can decrease in a measurable way.

Our subwoofers are highly efficient, so a decrease in power isn’t usually an issue.

Cheater Plugs and Ground Loops

The cheater plug prevents humming from ground loops. Ground loops are most often caused by quick and dirty cable or satellite TV installations. The metal ground sticking into the earth needs to be put in the same location as the house ground. When cable TV installers add a second ground in another location, the phenomena occurs.

The cheater plug “floats the ground”, to eliminate the issue. If there is no ground loop issue, you don’t need the cheater plug.

Surge Suppressors and Ground Loops

If you have a ground loop, most surge suppressors don’t fix it. Only very expensive units with servos and high tech engineering really correct ground loops. PS Audio makes such a unit.

Surge suppressors will protect your gear from many electrical hazards, even with two prongs. If the ground loop is there, use two prongs with the surge supressor.

With a $500 MSRP, the Monster Power unit may take care of the ground loop. The only way to find out is to test the subwoofer with three prongs and see if you hear the humming from a ground loop.