VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

philsvoice

Has anybody tried using a ground lifter with an iMac computer? Right now my iMac is plugged into an APC surge protector/ UPS with a three prong plug, and then the UPS plugs into the wall with a three prong plug. I am thinking of changing the three prong plug for my iMac to a two prong plug, to see if that solves some noise and low level problems.

Can anything bad happen if I do this to an iMac?

brianforrester · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 11:00 am Post subject:

I'm not all that versed in this area, but my caution would be this...

1 - If a piece of electronics is designed with a ground plug, it's for a reason... Don't mess with it; especially if it has to do with grounding with a purpose of eliminating/reducing the risk of electrical shock and/or shorting.

2. If you suspect a faulty ground may be causing noise, you'd be better served changing the ground path, NOT removing it entirely.

Suggestions - change the outlet you're using or invest in a power conditioner.

I may be wrong, but that's what I'd do.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 11:18 am Post subject:

First, the purpose of the surge protector is defeated if the ground is not used.

Next, what makes you think low levels and noise are due to grounding?

What kind of noise do you have? (Post a sample.)
What is your signal chain, what equipment are you using?

Run over to the Depot or a good hardware store and get one of these ground testers:

And test your ground, make sure it is working.

Make sure your audio cables are separated from the electrical cables.

Is everything plugged into the same outlets? Do you have DC power
converters (wallworts) plugged into the same circuit as the your audio
power circuit- - Are your sure??? The two plugs at an outlet are on the
same circuit 95.44% of the time.

Let us know what you find out.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.