Ferrite Chokes on ALL pwer cables-bad?


I have installed probably eight Ferrite Chokes on my power cords as a effort to lower the noise floor as much as possible. After installing the chokes the system did quite down slightly, however I'm not sure if I'm imagining it, but the sound may be a bit muffled. My system does use an AC enhancer and the chokes are installed as close to the power input as possible. Your thoughts?
Thanks,
Rpg
rpg

Showing 2 responses by almarg

Keep in mind that if your equipment is connected via single-ended (rca) interconnects, the most significant contributor to system noise (assuming your individual components have good noise performance) may not be the incoming power at all.

See the following paper, which explains that since the shields of unbalanced interconnects carry both signal return currents and extraneous ac-related interchassis noise currents, those shields are commonly where noise is introduced. Which can be improved by shortening the interconnects, using interconnects with lower shield resistance, using audio (not power) isolation transformers, sometimes by re-routing cables, and sometimes by the arguably unsafe practice of lifting ac safety grounds.

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/an/an004.pdf

Regards,
-- Al
RPG -- In my previous comment I should have referred more broadly to the return conductor of unbalanced interconnects, not specifically to the shield. My comment and the contents of the paper I linked to apply to all unbalanced interconnects, regardless of whether the return conductor is a shield, a conductor in a twisted pair or braided configuration, or any other configuration.

The quantitative parameters that are involved, though, and therefore the degree of noise coupling that will occur, will of course vary depending on the specific cable design.

Best regards,
-- Al