Earthing / Grounding / humming

Posted by: urs on 05 July 2007

Hello
After I have my nap 180 serviced and repaired, I get a hum on the speakers back, that is slowly driving me crazy.
I wrote about that problem before.
A dealer told me that this is definetely an earthing problem, and also naim states in their manuals that their apparatus must be earthed. For some reason that I dont know, here in Holland the wall sockets are not earthed. So I have a very long extension cable to the kitchen to reach an earthed outlet. I am not very happy about this situation. Today an electrician checked the situation in the living room, and as we have about 8 non earthed wall outlets, he will have to change them all, and that will cost a few hundred euros.
I just have no idea about electricity, hums and why systems need to be earthed.
thanks for feedbacks
urs
Posted on: 05 July 2007 by Guido Fawkes
Why not get one separate single earthed mains socket on separate spur put in for your hi-fi or ideally one for Naim kit and one for other kit - it'll be like a box upgrade.

I know little about electrics, but this worked well in my house (done by a qualified electrician) - even though every socket is earthed.
Posted on: 05 July 2007 by Geoff P
urs

I live in the Netherlands with the same situation as you.

I did what ROTF suggests . I had a heavy duty earthed single spur put in by an electrician. Works very well and improves musical performance.

Regards
Geoff
Posted on: 05 July 2007 by urs
quote:
Originally posted by Geoff P:
urs

I live in the Netherlands with the same situation as you.

I did what ROTF suggests . I had a heavy duty earthed single spur put in by an electrician. Works very well and improves musical performance.

Regards
Geoff


Hi Geoff,
Thanks for your reply.
Sorry for being ignorant but what exactly is this earthed single spur (in dutch too if you know it?).
As I have no knowledge whatsoever about electrics I checked with the electrician about having an earthed plug put in. Of course because of Dutch requirments if you have a plug changed all the lot have to made the same. This means that 7 double plugs now have to be changed costing about 250 euros to have this done.
If this spur would do the same and I can make the electrician understand maybe this would be another, less complicated and also cheaper option.

would appreciate your comments
thanks
Urs
Posted on: 05 July 2007 by Adam Meredith
Any qualified electrician, with specific knowledge of Dutch requirements and regulations, should feel free to comment.

All other comments come with the rider - "This is what I believe and you are dealing with mains electrical safety here."

Perhaps a call to Latham Audio (the Importers for your area) http://www.naim-audio.com/distrib/netherlands.html will prove to be informative.
Posted on: 05 July 2007 by Geoff P
urs

I would do as Adam advises and contact Latham before going any further.

If after talking with them you still want some info you can e-mail me at

geoff_phillipps@hotmail.com



regards
Geoff
Posted on: 05 July 2007 by prowla
Obviously a Hydra (or PowerIgel) would guarantee the earth for all your kit is common.