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IEC mains connector poll - Click HERE for Original Thread
dhaen
Which way up do/would you mount IEC mains connectors (earth up or earth down), and are you in 50Hz land or 60Hz land?

I think it'll be divided about 50/50, and have a theory why.....
moamps
earth up, 50Hz
JensRasmussen
Earth down, 50Hz

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/atta...tamp=1067422844

I have seen both left, right, up and down.

I prefer down - don't know why.

\Jens
peranders
Down mostly but this has to do with other things.

My oscilloscope up (built-in fuse holder), Japan
LCR bridge up, Brittish!
Signal generator down, Sweden
Frequency counter down, Sweden

A rather unimportant question but I'll prefer to have the ground down. Feels more natural.
dnsey
Ground up usually when I'm installing the connector, as it seems easier to connect the lead 'blind' that way, but I have gear with them all ways round. Right-angled line sockets make a difference to what's best. (50Hz territory).
Jocko Homo
Down....60 Hz.......aesthetics.....

H-P doesn't seem to be able to make their mind up, so why should we?

Jocko
lgreen
I do it the way which is easiest to make the cut-out so the AC inlet fits cleanly. Typically I'll use a dremel and a file, whichever (top or bottom) of the dremel cuts turns out worse I'll file for the angled edges and use it that way so it fits neatly.

However, in the one instance of using frontpanelexpress.com to make a rear panel cutout of exact shape, I put the ground on top. Only reason was that this leaves the writing right side up on the inside connectors so I felt like it was supposed to be like this; and you could read "furutech" or whatevever the name was across the top of the inlet on the inside. cool.
60Hz.
pinkmouse
Earth up, normal IECs, "Hot" IECs earth down.

50Hz
SY
60 Hz, down unless there's a compelling mechanical reason to do otherwise.

(BTW, if there's a correlation, I'd guess tube versus transistor more so than 50 versus 60)
calvert73
In this time of mega-bucks IEC plugs why not hard wire the mains cable? sounds way better than any IEC plug and socket!

RC
JensRasmussen
quote:
Originally posted by calvert73
In this time of mega-bucks IEC plugs why not hard wire the mains cable? sounds way better than any IEC plug and socket!

RC

Not to start a debate, but that is just BS IMHO!

\Jens
kevinkr
Earth down for aesthetic reasons.. 60Hz region

We use IEC connectors for convenience and in order to be able to change length/configuration of the power cord.

I can't hear nor measure any difference between a hard wired cord and one through a properly rated IEC connector without integral emi filter.

I think the IEC looks a lot more professional, and got a lot of criticism on my early commercial products for not using them. Hence the change which now sadly is only relevant to my own personal projects.:xeye:

Kevin
sam9
I like the units that include a switch and two fuses. I orient then so that the fuses don't fall on the floor when I open the drawer.
dnsey
Captive cables are a real pain on 'portable' gear (PA etc).
OTOH, I do use them on fixed equipment - one more connector is one more potential fault.; besides which I like to use screened mains cable for hi-fi, and it's difficult to terminate neatly into the average IEC.
planet10
quote:
Originally posted by calvert73
In this time of mega-bucks IEC plugs why not hard wire the mains cable? sounds way better than any IEC plug and socket!

My take on it... an IEC is convenient thou.

dave
AuroraB
In the world of pro euipment ( all kinds - not just audio), you will find them oriented in all directions.... as it fits best
although pins are usually pointing outwards....:clown:

The filter freaks can even get them with integrated line filters.....

Quality versions should not matter...on the whole I find this power chord hysteria quite tiresome. Your PSU parts do indeed count, -- the wall chord....not in my faintest imagination!
AuroraB
quote:
Originally posted by AuroraB

Quality versions should not matter...on the whole I find this power chord hysteria quite tiresome. Your PSU parts do indeed count, -- the wall chord....not in my faintest imagination! [/B]


EDIT: -- provided you use a proper power chord!
sam9
quote:
The filter freaks can even get them with integrated line filters.....

Tried that once. Whenever I switched the unit on it went "TWAnnnnnng--Hmmmmmmmmm". Then stayed with a steady humm thereafter. This happened averywhere in the house but was worse when there was a light dimmer elsewhere in the circuit. Moral, next time I try this I'll select a filter that contains no inductors or build it myself from ("Y") caps only
AuroraB
That must have been some sort of failure....
those filters are common in all sorts of pro gear...
peranders
quote:
Originally posted by JensRasmussen
Not to start a debate, but that is just BS IMHO!

\Jens
This not "tjurbajs", it's almost as important as painting the edges of a CD green. :Pinoc:
calvert73
Not to start a debate, but that is just BS IMHO!

Just cloth eared I guess! Any particular part BS or the whole thing?

RC
SY
:captain:

Let's keep to the topic and lose the personal stuff.
dhaen
Earth up, 50Hz...
rabbitz
Earth up in the southern hemisphere and earth down in the nothern hemisphere so they all point to the same ground.
wintermute
I prefer earth up, 50Hz

It seems easier to put the plug in blind to me when oriented this way.

Tony.
Geoff-AU
earth down, 50Hz

the bigger factor for me is using a switched and fused IEC socket, having the switch above the power cord makes it far more accessible.

failing that, having the earth closer to the floor makes somewhat more logical sense ;)

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