Query on power cable with IEC C13 and US 2-prong


Hi, I just received my CEC TL5 CD transport,  I noticed the power cord 

that come with is IEC C13 on one end and the other end is US  2-prong.

Shouldn't the power cable come with 3-prong as IEC C13 configuration is 3-wire (live, neutral and earth) ?

auronthas

@ditusa Good catch!! I was looking for it near the power cord socket.  Odd that there is NO insulation between the main power fuse and the chassis though.  I guess I don't understand the requirements for being double insulated.

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@erik_squires,

Look at the power consumption 350 watts on the back of the amp, below that right side, you will see the double insulated symbol. See below:

Mike

 

@ditusa I believe you.  I'm not saying amps MUST have a ground.

In the case of the Emotiva, it is correctly labeled as being double insulated on the back, with the double rectangle symbols as can be seen here:

 

 

Appreciate your inputs.  Regardless double insulated PVC/PVC power cord, our national standard or IEC that require three-wire (live, neutral and earth, furthermore this unit comes with IEC C13 which is 3-pin (female), unless the manufacturer did not terminate the ground terminal on C14 (TL5 side).

 

I received this power cord cable (2-prong) which come with TL5.(100V,) , i am using step up transformer 100V/230V, so far it works without problem, when I touch the CD casing, there's no leakage/static charge, the power rated of TL5 is 17W (which is 75mA) . 

I have another CD player Sony CDP-997, made in japan, 100V, also come with two-prong. there's no issue.

But I do see some CEC models, their power cord cable is 2-prong with ground (green/yellow) wire  like photo below.

 

erik_squires, your Luxman amp would have a symbol on the back panel, a small outline of a square within a larger outline of a square, which indicates that the device is indeed double-insulated

Read your owner's manual. If the list of "what's-in-the-box" states 3-prong power cord that means the unit is made for sale in the US and Canada. 

If the unit is double insulated (I doubt it) then there will be no continuity between the IEC receptacle's ground pin and the chassis. If there is (which I am sure) then you got the wrong power cord.

@ditusa  I have a Luxman 507ux, and it is also groundless.  I'm also not convinced this is appropriate for the US.  It's not rated as double insulated or Class II, and the fuse and other wiring could, in theory, come into contact with the chassis. 

I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable enough in regulatory compliance to know if this is as it should be or not.

My Luxman B-12 mono amps from 1976 have a two prong plug, no ground. 😎

Mike

While @ditusa is correct that double shielded devices do not require a ground, the double shielding mark is absent, and internally it does not appear to be double shielded. Also, internally there IS a connection from the ground pin to a chassis screw (based on a picture).

Having said all of that, the chance for contact between the power and chassis exists only at the 200mA fuse. Everything else looks very well insulated and I’d say that the chance of an actual Hot to chassis fault is nearly zero, barring immersion in liquid.

@auronthas  Wrote:

Shouldn’t the power cable come with 3-prong as IEC C13 configuration is 3-wire (live, neutral and earth) ?

Not if it’s double insulated!

Mike

’’Is double insulated better than grounded?

Double insulation eliminates the risk of electric shock without relying on grounding or a safety extra-low voltage power source. Most household and office appliances rely primarily on this insulation for user safety. That’s why safety regulations worldwide classify electrical devices based on their insulation system.Nov 30, 2023’’

This is interesting.  I have a Luxman integrated which, per US regulations should have been grounded, but is not.  I wonder if it's some common Japanese equipment thing?

All of the pictures of the back of your transport that I have seen show that it takes a standard C13 power cord  and there IS a ground pin, so YES - the wall plug should also be a standard 3 prong US wall plug, NOT a 2 pin without a ground.