Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › WARNING! AUDIO-GD MAINS POWER CORDS IMPROPERLY WIRED!
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

WARNING! AUDIO-GD MAINS POWER CORDS IMPROPERLY WIRED!  

post #1 of 57
7/14/11 at 8:19pm
Thread Starter 

 

It has been discovered that Audio-gd mains power cords, both "stock" and custom, are improperly wired.

 

The cords are wired such that they tie AC mains HOT to IEC neutral. This is a violation against code and presents an increased risk of shock, fire and/or equipment damage.

 

As an example, for safety purposes, the power switches and mains fuses in electrical equipment are required to be on the hot lead. Using these cords places such switches and fuses on the neutral lead, leaving the hot lead un-switched and un-fused.

 

Bottom line: These cords should not be used for powering equipment. Please replace them with properly wired power cords.

 

se

post #2 of 57
7/14/11 at 8:51pm

USA.jpg

post #3 of 57
7/14/11 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 

 

That is the correct way. However it has been verified by three others that this is not how the Audio-gd cables they have are wired. Instead, AC hot is wired to IEC neutral and vice versa.

 

se

 

 

post #4 of 57
7/14/11 at 9:44pm

Thanks for the heads up Steve.

post #5 of 57
7/14/11 at 11:56pm

For the European 230V power cord this doesn't matter other than for principle as these N/L pins are not hw coded. End user never know what way they connect N/L. But I also think the hole ground wiring theme is done differently over here. 

post #6 of 57
7/15/11 at 12:03am

ermm end user can always use a dmm and know exactly how they are plugging it in.

post #7 of 57
7/15/11 at 12:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Eddy View Post

 

It has been discovered that Audio-gd mains power cords, both "stock" and custom, are improperly wired.

 

The cords are wired such that they tie AC mains HOT to IEC neutral. This is a violation against code and presents an increased risk of shock, fire and/or equipment damage.

 

As an example, for safety purposes, the power switches and mains fuses in electrical equipment are required to be on the hot lead. Using these cords places such switches and fuses on the neutral lead, leaving the hot lead un-switched and un-fused.

 

Bottom line: These cords should not be used for powering equipment. Please replace them with properly wired power cords.

 

se


 

How many samples did you test to arrive at this conclusion?

 

 

 

post #8 of 57
7/15/11 at 12:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by notThinking View Post

For the European 230V power cord this doesn't matter other than for principle as these N/L pins are not hw coded. End user never know what way they connect N/L. But I also think the hole ground wiring theme is done differently over here. 


The power cords in question are those using Type B plugs, which are used primarily in the US and Canada. I can't speak for any cords wired for European plugs.

 

se

 

 

 

post #9 of 57
7/15/11 at 12:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qusp View Post

ermm end user can always use a dmm and know exactly how they are plugging it in.


Sure, but most folks probably don't have a DMM laying around.

 

se

 

 

post #10 of 57
7/15/11 at 12:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K3cT View Post

How many samples did you test to arrive at this conclusion?

 

 

Cords owned by three different individuals were tested.

 

se

 


 

 

post #11 of 57
7/15/11 at 12:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Eddy View Post




Sure, but most folks probably don't have a DMM laying around.

 

se

 

 


yeah i guess, but anyone concerned about what way AC is plugged/fused probably does. imo anyone seriously into this hobby, be it from a diy or consumer perspective should have one, can pick a cheap one up for 5 bucks at wallmart

 


Edited by qusp - 7/15/11 at 12:39am
post #12 of 57
7/15/11 at 5:09am

Hold on,

 

I bought an REF-5 three months ago, and I received my NFB-8 one month ago. Does that mean I have to change BOTH power cords ?

 

Before I do this, should it be confirmed by Audio-GD ?

 

Are they planning to replace them ?

 

Thanks

 

Denys


Edited by Denys - 7/15/11 at 5:12am
post #13 of 57
7/15/11 at 5:13am

As far as I can determine, all the generic power cords supplied by companies in China are likely to be wired in reverse to the USA standard. It's advisable to use a locally sourced one instead.

post #14 of 57
7/15/11 at 6:12am

And I was about to order 2 power cable to go with my 2 Audio-GD dacs when I ordered my DI two weeks ago !!!! I told Edwin, I'd wait a bit as I already ordered two Dacs (REF-5 and NFB-8) and two DI within the last three months !!

 

I'll use computer shielded power cords in the meantime then....

 

Damned !!! mad.gif  If it's true, Kingwa should do something about this.

 

Denys

post #15 of 57
7/16/11 at 3:08pm

That’s just SHOCKING

New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components
This thread is locked  
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › WARNING! AUDIO-GD MAINS POWER CORDS IMPROPERLY WIRED!