Measuring AC Power Line Noise

[Speedskater]

Hold on. I just wrote:

the Trifield EMI meter measures (higher frequency) noise voltage fields in the air.

So I went to the Trifield page:EM100 - Power Line Monitor - TriField

And that's not how EM100 Power Line Monitor works, it connects directly to the AC line!!!
it:
It immediately displays total line noise in millivolts peak to peak (range 1999.9 mVp-p, resolution 0.1 mVp-p) in the frequency range 10 KHz – 10 MHz

10 kHz is in the noise frequency range of concern.
can't find the users manual for that model.

 

[output555]

First, with well designed audio equipment power line noise is not a big problem despite the exaggerated claims of some.
But for the most part, the noise that audio equipment has to deal with is (lower frequency)noise and leakage currents flowing thru the wires.
the Trifield EMI meter measures (higher frequency) noise voltage fields in the air.

With regards to noise, the only meaningful measurement is the signal-to-noise ratio at the audio output of your component or system.

Thanks very much for your informed reply. I, therefore, am assuming that the Trifield isn't giving me meaningful information regarding "audio noise." I'll return it and keep my power conditioner even though it may be unnecessary.

 

[output555]

The more myself and some friends play with power, the more we are finding proper grounding, proper lacing in panels, proper distribution have a massive impact on noise. Even how many circuits you run has a significant impact. Your whole house was probably wired as a home, not as a performance audio/video playback location. Its NEC compliant, to a degree, but that is not always enough to make an environment optimized for noise reduction and audio playback.

In short, your power conditioner can not fix certain kinds of issues. I don't think there is near the noise in peoples houses as they think. Its mostly non optimum wiring. You may even have faulty audio gear. Who knows. It goes way deeper than "but I have 10 awg romex to my rack".

Thanks for the reply. I built my home and had three dedicated lines with separate ground installed in my music room. When I measured them with the Trifield meter they were only marginally "quieter" than my regular outlets. All my outlets seem to be pretty "quiet," though so I am satisfied.

 

[Speedskater]

Much of the lower frequency current line noise is generated by big power amplifiers with linear power supplies.
While audio components with SMPS (supplies) may generate higher frequency noise or be very quite.

Most nearby modern high tech lighting, appliances, HVAC and other date & entertainment equipment will also have a SMPS and often generate a lot of noise. But you can simply test them for audible noise by turning them on/off one at a time.