leaving system on...dangerous?

Posted by: Jude on 25 January 2003

Hey all,

I know Naim suggests to get best results that you should leave your gear on all the time except when lightening or going on vacation. I however have a problem due to a less then ideal living situation. I am renting a room in an apartment and my system is in my bedroom which also has a washer and drier in there. I have always been careful never to have my system on when the machines are on and running. I was wondering if the machines running could cause some sort of surge into my gear. If no then I should leave it on all the time I guess. The washer and drier I think are on a different circuit since they are 220V (the large 4 prong socket thing). Thanks in advance.

Posted on: 25 January 2003 by Steve Toy

I'm no electrician but..

Having them in the same room shouldn't make any difference, unless the washer/dryer were to leak water onto your gear.

Leave your kit on all the time. It will soumd better that way, and may even last longer as it's operating temperature won't be constantly changing.

Regards,

Steve.

Posted on: 25 January 2003 by Rico

I would suggest the greater danger is (to your health) living/sleeping in the same room as a washer/dryer.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 26 January 2003 by NB

Jude,

Generelly you wont have any problems with leaving your Hi-fi on all the time. The only problem that arises is when you do get surges in the electrical supply due to a poor electrical supply.

You can protect yourself against this by using extension blocks with surge protection fitted. Have a look at the Russ Andrews range of conectors and you should find one that suits.

Regards

NB

Posted on: 26 January 2003 by ray dodd

Jude,
Washers and driers during their operation switch inductive loads (heaters / motors)which can produce spikes on the mains . Also if they are 'getting on a bit' the switching may also cause production of bursts of RF.
I would be concerned if they were on the same circuit as your gear.. not only for the above reasons but max loading with them both running would be in the order of 6kw ( approx 24A)depending on where you are in the circuit and the quality of the installation, volt drop may also be a problem.As NB states there are remedies out there to protect your gear,but what it does to the sound is another argument !

Posted on: 26 January 2003 by AJ

hi jude,

well i'm not a electrical technician yet , but i would be worried about moist from the washing machine and the dryer. So i would keep the equipement on so it stays warm and the moist doesn't get in the gear.

aj

Posted on: 27 January 2003 by Lightkeeper

Barnaby !

Why Naim do not recommend the use of extension blocks with surge protection?
Do you believe that someone who have AC problems should not use that minimalist surge protection and that he must invest a thousands to solve that problem?
Few days ago I was separate my audio system from video gear to extension lead with surge protection which is now connected to another AC input. My system now sounds a little bit better.

Ozren

- The difference between Theory and Practice is much greater in Practice than
it is in Theory. -