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Isolated Ground Outlets Hosp Grade vs Audiophile

Hello All -

I'm in the process of completing the listening room construction. I've put in two isolated ground dedicated circuits, 20A each. The conduit is metal, the boxes are metal. I need isolated ground outlets for the boxes. Hospital grade versions are made by Leviton, Hubbell, and Pass & Seymour. Many of the "audiophile" outlets available are not isolated ground. Should I just go get some hospital grade IG outlets from my local electrical supply house (around $20 each), or look around for audiophile versions (atleast $50 each).

I could always loose the ground isolation and use more affordable audiophile outlets. I don't know which is more important. I just figure I went to the trouble of putting in IG dedicated circuits, I should use IG outlets. I figure hospital grade outlets ought to be pretty good. Any thoughts? Thanks.
peter_s
tbg
5,263 posts
 
In my opinion the IsoClean duplex is clearly the best. It is expensive, however, $180.
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I use PS Audio Power Ports and are very happy with them and as Gs5556 mentions I believe they are isolated ground. I have used Pass & Seymore Hospital Grade in the past and feel they are adequate as well.

Chuck
diminish
5 posts
 
Since you have metal conduit which is bonded to the electrical system ground, and boxes that are also metal and bonded; you definitely need isolated ground receptacles. These are useless in plastic boxes. The only difference between a regular receptacle and iso. ground is that the device yoke in not continuous with the grounding terminal; meaning that your yoke and box cover are not bonded. I don't think much noise enters the system through device yokes, but a large metal outlet cover could possible transfer some noise. The NEC requires that all metal enclosures be grounded so this is unavoidable. Unfortunately grounding in itself is not a remedy for noise because the stray voltages see it as impedence causing current to flow.
gbart
290 posts
 
Peter, Furutech FP-15A receptacles are isolated ground. I've found them to be better than the non-audiophile IG brands. Also, the contact material thickness in the Furutechs is 1.2mm versus 0.8mm in the other brands.
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