Mains Problems

Do a search under "Balanced Power" as several others have investigated solutions to mains problems (though none I suspect as severe as yours).

A less expensive solution might be the UK built James power conditioner, though it is not the same as balanced power above.

I would guess the problem is a power surge when power is initially restored rather than just poor quality mains. This may be powerful enough to do some damage. What did Naim say about the problem with the unts you had repaired?

Claptonuk,

Hi, good morning and welcome!

It's my understanding that the power distribution company have to supply a certain level of service, as bound by the regulatory authorities and if you feel that you aren't getting said service, you can ask for a measuring device to be installed for a week or two. They are duty bound to do this (but it helps if you ask nicely).

Another forum member (Nick Lees) had a huge problem with the power supply to his house and his travails are posted in this thread: Help Needed

The thread runs to ten pages so perhaps just read the first page and the last one or two.

The upshot was that the power company (Seeboard) agreed with him that his supply was outside of an acceptable standard. They had no option of resistance ( ), being bound by rules etc, and so to rectify ( )things it was in their capacity () to run a new supply to his ohm , which allowed him to realise the potential ()of his system, all at no charge ().

This should help...

Best regards and good luck!

Rich.

Cheers guys,

When I have mains power all is fine most of the time so I would have a job justifying a claim of poor mains, I don't believe I have major voltage fluctuations during a normal day just a significant number of power cuts.

I complained to my Electricity supplier who sent me a cheque for £100 and sympathised but said it was nothing to do with them! They are supposed to be sending an engineer to check further but this hasn't happened as yet.
I think you are right though, it is a voltage drop on power cut followed by a surge on power up that causes the problems.

Talking to a well known high end second user audio dealer in the black country raised some interesting questions as to why my problems should be limited to Naim equipment, none of the other extensive collection of boys toys I own has suffered.

I will take a look at James and balanced power as suggested and let you know how I get on.

The power company do have to supply a certain level of service, but as I mentioned earlier we have a significant amount of new property development underway here.

The main issue is that a planned substation to support this development was omitted from one of the sites and, I am reliably informed, cannot now be rescheduled for at least 2 more years.

I am therefore looking for a solution to get me through.

I have a number of PCs in the property all of which are protected by APC 1000i SmartUPSs and these protect my business from "crashing". These run the PCs off the batteries whilst charging them from the mains therefore giving a continual stable supply protected from fluctuation and spikes etc...

Does anyone know how these would perform in a hi-fi environment, it is how PSaudio & Purepower units work i think.

Cheers

Kev

I don't believe that the PSAudio units have any batteries. The mains goes off and I suspect they stop powering the hifi. They might protect from spikes though.

Here are links for James Audio and Equitech (balanced power)
http://www.james-audio.com/
http://www.equitech.com/

I have no experience with either however.

It is curious that your 135s have not been affected as they would be the most sensitive to surges from what I understand.

A company called Furman sell in the UK also. I can't currently find a UK supplier for Equitech. James sell direct in the UK but i'm not sure that unit will do the job. Your suggestion re "balanced power" looks like it is the best way to go.

My 135s are a recent addition so i'm even more concerned about switching them on now!!

quote:

Originally posted by claptonuk:
A company called Furman sell in the UK also. I can't currently find a UK supplier for Equitech. James sell direct in the UK but i'm not sure that unit will do the job. Your suggestion re "balanced power" looks like it is the best way to go.

My 135s are a recent addition so i'm even more concerned about switching them on now!!

Consider a 10BQ unit with additional surge protection built in..
Contact Tom at Equitech for more information.

Marc

Claptonuk

I claimed through my home owner insurance when my system went down. It was agreed that there had been a power surge of unknown origin because the hydro said it was not them. The long and short of it was both my 110 and 42 were damaged. I got them back and found out the speakers had been damaged as well.

Maybe you have insurance coverage you are not aware of. Just a thought.

Harry
(not so new member)

Hi,

I did make a sucessful claim on my house insurance for the £500+ figure. All the equipment is listed individually on the policy.

It was quite amusing actually as the valuer insisted the insurance company would pay for a replacement unit under my "new for old" policy rather than pay the £500+ to repair the CDSI. I asked that they put this in writing but unfortunately they found out the price of a current CDSIII first and retracted the offer !!!

It sounds as though you need some sort of circuit breaker which which requires you to manually turn the juice back on. This way, you will be protected from the damaging effects of a current surge when your supplier turns the electricity back on.

Why did this get moved from a Naim discussion group to this area which has no relevance to Naim issues? My questions related solely to Naim equipment and have everything to do with the forum they were originally posted in.

I thought there might be a "click" with this forum and it looks like I was correct. Please move it back to where it will be viewed by members of this group.

Instead of some **** shifting this to "off topic" he might have made a positive comment or at least had the decency to mention why it had been moved.

If it is because someone suggested modifying the mains then that is not my fault and isn't something I would have considered anyway. I suppose I could get everyones post moved here too by suggesting they stick nails in to replace fuses to get a better sound regardless of the topic.

quote:

Originally posted by joesilva:
It sounds as though you need some sort of circuit breaker which which requires you to manually turn the juice back on. This way, you will be protected from the damaging effects of a current surge when your supplier turns the electricity back on.

That's why.........Maybe...

Clapton-
Friendly advice??
As painful as it might seem? Try and stick to the rules of engagement. You will win more wars that way...
THere has been very little moaning as of late. Actually been pretty nice. Adam and the masses have done a great job.
If you have not had a chance to read the rules? Please do so. We sheep stick together when we are tended so...
Best,
Marc

Marc

quote:

Originally posted by claptonuk:
Why did this get moved from a Naim discussion group to this area which has no relevance to Naim issues? My questions related solely to Naim equipment and have everything to do with the forum they were originally posted in.
I thought there might be a "click" with this forum and it looks like I was correct. Please move it back to where it will be viewed by members of this group.
Instead of some **** shifting this to "off topic" he might have made a positive comment or at least had the decency to mention why it had been moved.
If it is because someone suggested modifying the mains then that is not my fault and isn't something I would have considered anyway. I suppose I could get everyones post moved here too by suggesting they stick nails in to replace fuses to get a better sound regardless of the topic.

An extension of this is discussion of alterations to the mains wiring, sockets, plugs, fuses and mains leads. Some exchanges about this can take place in the Padded Cell but will be subject to moderation on a precautionary basis. Excessive/obsessive discussion will also be closed or removed.

Calm down and stop throwing your weight around.
So far - all your posts have been on mains matters and have, after a while, been moved to the Padded Cell.

Your reaction to that move is both over petulant and insulting.

Adam Meredith
Forum ****

quote:

I suppose I could get everyones post moved here too by suggesting they stick nails in to replace fuses to get a better sound regardless of the topic.

LOL!
Sorry. Could not resist. ( you used a f-word with vengence )

I agree name calling is a poor form.
I've been called an a#%hole before in this Forum, if that makes you feel any better.

Regarding power devices, they are all location dependant and what a listner percieves as an improvement. I have tried the Shunyta Hydra and Power Plant. Neither did the job I wanted.

kuma, thanks for the words of support.

Thanks for that, it wasn't me who used the F word though, it was directed at me (Then I get accused of being insulting with no reference to the other party!!!!!).

I was looking at buying a second hand Hydra 8 for £1400 - Not bad but I would like to hear more about the virtues of the James Audio unit. I doubt though now i'm on this group I will get much of a response.

What really stinks though about this forum is that my post on Mains Conditioning gets relegated to this group yet the 319 other posts around the subject made by existing members is OK to stay on the Hi-Fi forum. No consistancy, especially the post of Nick Lees which still sits in Hi-Fi corner even after suggestions of "watering the earth rods" were taken up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by claptonuk:
What really stinks though about this forum is that my post on Mains Conditioning gets relegated to this group yet the 319 other posts around the subject made by existing members is OK to stay on the Hi-Fi forum. No consistancy, especially the post of Nick Lees which still sits in Hi-Fi corner even after suggestions of "watering the earth rods" were taken up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Excessive/obsessive discussion will also be closed or removed."

Mainly because they appear to go off rail rather swiftly.

Really stupid Idea? : Run your system's power through series incandescent light bulb(s) to reduce the surges? No idea what it would do to sound quality or even if it would work as required. Has some applications elsewhere though.

Never thought of Beds as Third World.

quote:

Adam Meredith
Forum ****

Just brilliant...


Kev-
Stick around..You will find that the group has much to offer.
Sometimes,from an outsiders point of view,it must look like we eat our young and argue over what Coolaide flavor we drink....

Adam and the body of clients really do a good job of self regulation..