XXHighEnd

Hi Peter,

I never really cared to ask this, but I tend to overlook this question... I found two pictures showing from what slot the live voltage is supposed to be here in Canada (and I believe it is the same in US)...

The 2 pictures that you can see are showing where the live current is located (which prong) as opposed to the neutral one.

I think it could be interesting for each of us to tell where the current flows as opposed to the neutral - this on a cable with the appropriate connection for the socket wall on one extremity and the IEC side (Is it the same for all ?).

So I will start...
Here in Canada, this is how it is done...

Alain
 

Well Alain ... Possibly this is the nicest question of 2014 so far. What about "I can not tell" eh ? So for once you have such an answer from me. Thus also very nice.

:dntknw: :dntknw: :dntknw:

So what's up ?
Over here it depends on how you plug the plug in the wall. See picture below;

You can see that this plug can be put in eithet (180 degree) side. And there is really NO means to determine here for us how it should be done the best, other than measuring the least current flowing between devices (we have beepers for that but it can just be measured with actually a volt meter).
So, do the one device such and the other device so and ...

And then we still don't know because now it depends on how the device is wired (so you question).

For this reason I actually never in my life thought about this while I can imagine that it matters for the absolute best connection; we just twist the plug, while you can not do that.
So you see, it is just no "question" over here. And yes, I now wonder whether other manufacturers ever think about this.

Anyway, all I can tell is that each NOS1 will be wired exactly the same regarding this, but that won't help you much. So ... I just made a photo to show it, and I attached it below anyway, but it is of now use because ...

Well, because "how are the wires connect to your wall outlet ?"

So yes, you can still switch those red and white wires you see in the bottom picture and try, but it still won't lead to a general rule for everybody (who can not twist the plug in the wall).

What you could do - and I would do that - is make an extension block with these euro connections. Plus euro cables (see first picture). Then you can switch everything for the better/best.

So you know, over here we actually have this dimension of trying (what sounds best or is best) while you are stuck without even knowing about the phenomenon.

That's it. :)
Peter

Peter,

Well yes, I know we are stuck with this here (cannot do 180 degree swap easily)... I was hoping there was some kind of official (or unofficial) guidelines that was written by an association of some kind... Lots of "some kind" eh...

I just know that for some appliances it does not matter, but for others it could (light bulb, switches that should either "cut" the live and neutral, or at least the live, not only the neutral), etc...

Things can look so much "acquired" but they are not...

I hope that you did the test while you have the chance to do so :)

Alain

Ah... I see that from the parameters I found (that I could corroborate by testing my cables), the current arrives in the white wire from the picture you provided with the NOS1... Isn't normally the red wire the one from which the current is supposed to arrive ?

Sorry if I did not react to this in my first reply...

Alain

Uhm Alain, now that is a strange question. Red and white is just that so it is not both red or both white or both brown etc.
We can not tell the difference anyway. We twist the plug.
Try to envision : because it is so as it is it won't even be in schollbooks here (I think !).

Peter

Ah... My knowledge about electricity is quite limited... Let's say for instance that the current arrives in the power supply... The neutral should be at the other end, where it leaves... If the travel is done in reverse ?

Guess I am just showing my ignorance here...

I'll do some searching and hope to bring back some answers... Or more questions...

Alain

Here is an article in the Stereophile

http://www.stereophile.com/content/non-tweakers-guide-tweaks-page-3

see "System Tweaks".

At some units the "hot wire" is marked at the power inlet socket.

Joachim

Thanks Joachim. Finally I read all the article :) It is interesting and easy to follow. I will try what he suggests about the chassis voltage just to see where it leads me :)

Regards,

Alain