Distortion on the Power Line


I have a couple of PS Audio Power Plants.
The distortion off the wall has typically been 3.5 to  4.0.  For the last week it has been over 7%.  I checked around the house and can see no changes.  Anyone have any ideas what it is?  Have Russian Hackers moved in next door?  People huddling at home on their computers?

sm2727

Showing 3 responses by sm2727

Ok.... so i tried going through the whole house....turned all the breakers off and turned them on one at a time and watched the meter.  No change. I also changed the power source for the power plant to several locations.  It does dip below 6% now so it isn't constant.....Checked the PS audio blog and came away thinking maybe 6 or 7% isn't so crazy.....it is the change that bothers me....
I think it is either just occurring from various sources or it is a power company problem/possibly a change in the power acquisition pattern.    I will call them and explain that i am a tweaky audionut concerned about a changed reading on a "regenerator"  that i use to run my record player  and i can prove it is their fault......i  am sure they will be sympathetic.......
Wish me luck.
Thanks again for the ideas and commiseration.

t
Thank you people.  I will chase it down inside the house.  I looked at the box and nothing looks amiss. I did get a wireless meter but the timing is wrong.... My area has power underground so I don't think it could be storm damage.......at least near here.  If i don't find anything inside i will call the power company.   I will tighten the connections at the box and try the cat and mouse inside the house/check GFI sockets/unplug everything etc. after my kid finishes midterms online.  With my luck I will cabbage my wireless......
  There is constant construction around here (North of Seattle). No new ac on my cul se sac. I assume there is more commercial grade computing going on in my neighborhood.  I have my set up on two different breakers and the reading is identical.....there is nothing between my set up and the box......but i guess (as i read here) it is all shared eventually anyway......I will post when i am done and thank you all....
Sean
I had the power company come out.  They found nothing unusual.  I have tried listening to my set up and can hear no hum etc.  Frequency is determined by the grid operators counties away..  He said power use is way up because everyone is home clacking away.   I will continue to troubleshoot my house i guess...check sockets for loose wires etc.  I did find a timer that has been running for 15 years without my noticing....whole house fan.   Thanks again for the effort and happy listening everyone.