Tweakers' Asylum Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

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Dunno...

Posted by pmkap (M) on December 13, 2004 at 11:58:56

In Reply to: Thanks for this info. posted by LarBo on December 13, 2004 at 08:36:09:

1. Dunno. I've not installed 'accross the line' caps in components myself, but rather in my own diy, fused, powerconditioning multiple outlet box. As I also use a Y cap from Neutral to Ground, I use a centalized 'root' conditioning. To put Y caps in a component can potentially cause ground loop hum problems.

2. I'm not sure what the practical limit is as to how much capacitance you can use 'accross the line' other than economic constraints. A capacitor used this way is a frequency dependant resistor, with its Capacitve Reactance = 1/(2pi x F x C) where Capacitive Reactance is in ohms, F is in farads, and F is the frequency in Hertz (cycles per second). At 60Hz (North American line frequency) and 120V, a .94uf cap, assuming electricity costs $0.20.Kwh, it will cost you $8.90/yr. A 20uf cap, $190/yr. And for those folks outside North America with 240Volt lines, the cost is a smidgen under 4 times as much. Power = V^2/R. Personally, I've never used more that 1uf.

3. Dunno. I honestly can't say whether caps (other than Black Gates) really do break in to any significant degree or whether it is just acclimation of the listener. But I'm sure others have their own opinion. I know of no rigorous experiments that have addressed the matter.

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