[Adamay]

Does Nuforce have a position on whether your amps can be safely/prudently used with balanced power conditioners (eg, Equi=tech)?  The user comments and professional reviews on the sonic effects of balanced power conditioners are almost entirely positive, and most are strongly so.  But there is a debate as to the safety of balanced power, both as to the user and as to the effect of balanced power on the longevity of equipment.  Simply put, balanced power conditioners energize both the positive and the negative AC lines, but most equipment is designed for standard AC, which energizes only the positive line.  I'd be grateful for a reply from Nuforce as to whether it is wise/prudent/safe to run your amps from balanced power conditioners (assuming the condition employs a GFCI breaker, as does Equi=tech).  Thank you.

[satfrat]

Balanced power conditioning is safe with any/all audio components. Whether or not it's audibly satisfying to the listener is highly subjective. I for 1 have had great results from my BPT but others have not. You'll need to try balanced power conditioners for yourself to see if it's right for your palete.

Cheers,
Robin

[Adamay]

The safety issue is not so easily settled.  As I read the National Electrical Code, linked from the Equi=Tech website, balanced power supplies are not acceptable in the home setting.  As Equi=Tech is a leading manufacturer of these balanced power supplies, their word shouldn't be taken lightly.

See:

http://www.equitech.com/support/647.html

See also the discussion on safety of balanced power elsewhere in Audiocircle, where a couple of electrical engineers sound a warning about balanced power, precisely because the negative wire is energized with 60 volts:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=34605.msg307911#msg307911

[satfrat]

The safety issue is not so easily settled.  As I read the National Electrical Code, linked from the Equi=Tech website, balanced power supplies are not acceptable in the home setting.  As Equi=Tech is a leading manufacturer of these balanced power supplies, their word shouldn't be taken lightly.

See:

http://www.equitech.com/support/647.html

See also the discussion on safety of balanced power elsewhere in Audiocircle, where a couple of electrical engineers sound a warning about balanced power, precisely because the negative wire is energized with 60 volts:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=34605.msg307911#msg307911

Think what you want,,,,, 

Cheers,
Robin

[Occam]

The safety issue is not so easily settled.  As I read the National Electrical Code, linked from the Equi=Tech website, balanced power supplies are not acceptable in the home setting.  As Equi=Tech is a leading manufacturer of these balanced power supplies, their word shouldn't be taken lightly.

See:
http://www.equitech.com/support/647.html

See also the discussion on safety of balanced power elsewhere in Audiocircle, where a couple of electrical engineers sound a warning about balanced power, precisely because the negative wire is energized with 60 volts:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=34605.msg307911#msg307911

NEC stops at the wall. Indeed, one cannot hook a balanced distribution transformer to their panel and from that run circuits to wall outlets in a residential environment. But that has nothing whatsoever to do with plugging a balancing transformer into an outlet.

As to the second URL referencing a thread within AC, that vendor is the LAST person I would seek advice from regarding safety. His products have been in violation of standard safety practices for the last 30 years, though I hear tell that his products are quite good on a subjective level. If you use his products, I would strongly suggest you run them off a mains circuit with a GFCI breaker. That way, if there is a short to the chassis, the GFCI will trip before anyone can be electrocuted. A properly implemented GFCI as provided on the BPT and Equitech products provides substantial safety. Read up on GFCI/GFIs (or in Europe RCDs) rather than listening to the uninformed.

[richidoo]

Thanks Occam. I was working on similar response, but not as eloquent, nor quick.

Some additional info on safety of Equitech in particular:
http://www.equitech.com/faq/danger.html

[satfrat]

Thanks Occam. I was working on similar response, but not as eloquent, nor quick.

Some additional info on safety of Equitech in particular:
http://www.equitech.com/faq/danger.html

Yep, I'm not nearly as articulate or for that matter as educated as Paul so I just let it slide and hoped for help. Thanks Occam/Paul. I read enough articles 6 years ago when i first looked into balanced power to have full confidence in both it's safety with audio/video components and usefullness in lowering an audio systems ground noise which in turn allows more music to be heard.

Cheers,
Robin

[Adamay]

Thanks, this is enormously helpful!  I guess I should put one of those embarrassed smileys here.  I appreciate the correction!

[satfrat]

Thanks, this is enormously helpful!  I guess I should put one of those embarrassed smileys here.  I appreciate the correction!

I don't think there's anything to be embarrassed about. Asking is learning, right? But I do think it's ashame that BPT didn't step up with info on a topic that hits home for them. would have been the perfect time to have participated on a subject they know everything about IMHO.

Cheers,
Robin