Whats a good economical way to test the electricity on a circuit?


Whats a good economical way to test the electricity on a circuit (like noise, dirtiness, etc)? Any suggested meters or analyzers? Want to see where my circuitry needs work/cleaning up.
deanshias
I looked into measuring "noise" on my AC mains, and the least expensive approach would be about $800 to purchase the necessary equipment - and I was unsure if I would be able to actually do it accurately and more importantly, safely.

I would need something like this, in addition to some high-current probes, and oscilloscope, and a filter.

FWIW, I was looking at a device called the SineTamer, which is primarily used in commercial, industrial, scientific industries. Looks interesting and I still might give it a try some day.
Please excuse the slight sidetrack.  I find this conversation interesting and helpful.

I liken it to Recycling.  In my early years we always equated recycling to a socio-economic attitude and state of your life.  If you were well off enough financially you could consider the consequences of your impacts on society and would generally recycle.  We all know that is a good idea.  If you are pinching pennies in your life struggling to put a roof over your head and food on the table, the last thing you are focused on is recycling.

I think there is a similar approach here.  Being a high end audiophile (guess that is a fair statement about me now) we worry about stuff that the average listener does not.  We worry about things like dirty power and what to do with it.  Because we can afford to do so both financially and we have the extra head space in the chaos we call life to think about it.

I have gone down that path myself.  I've been shown several AC analyzer contraptions.  One I purchased from Music Direct was returned because it made no difference.  Tried it in several homes and dealer showrooms where conditioned AC properly taken care of.  Made the same screeching sounds no matter what.

I've installed a whole house surge protector.  Added fancy gold plated outlets and have a wonderful Power Conditioner.  BTW the Power condition had the greatest improvement in sound quality I have heard in this journey.  Couldn't be happier.

OK, long post, FWIW, but I agree with many and will end with a quote from a venerable American band "If You Get Confused Just Listen to the Music Play."  I'm sure you all have your Saturday RSD releases that need to be put on the turntable!

Peace My Fellow GON'rs
oldhvymec, I read your 11:01 AM (yesterday) post with interest. I picked up a few portable power conditioners, NIB, made by SOLA, model 63-15-115-6. I was hoping to use them for my home audio system, but the mechanical noise is a no-go, so I'm curious how you quieted your conditioner, and if that would work on these, my model is the SOLA 63-13-115-6................... https://www.ideadigitalcontent.com/files/11375/MCR-Portable.pdf

Thanks.