Author Topic: Cleaning Your Power Cords  (Read 1921 times)

Offline steve

  • Audiologist
  • *
  • Posts: 1238
Cleaning Your Power Cords
« on: May 08, 2021, 07:10:39 PM »
Gents,

I have never heard this discussed, so thought I would present it here.

A couple of things to try that may help improve the sound.

First, can you plug your entire system directly into the wall socket? IF not, ok.

Second, do you have some spray cleaner, leaves no residue? If so, follow these steps (even if you use an AC line product, such as an AC conditioner). Make sure you do not plug in both ends of the cord at the same time as if there is any arcing, fire could result.

a.  Remove Both ends of your power cords from AC outlet and all components. This is to prevent any arcing.

b.   Spray clean one end of a power cord and plug and unplug a couple of times. Then spray the same end again and plug and unplug a couple of more times. Leave unplugged.

c.   Now do this to the other end of the same power cord. Same procedure, and let cord dry.

d.   Now do this to All your other power cords, including any AC conditioner or other AC device. Let cords dry.

e.     Plug in your power cords to components.

I just did it and it to my monoblock amps and it made a musical difference. (My preamplifier did not as it has 6 stages of heavy filtering.) Hope this helps yours also. Worth a try though.

Cheers

steve
Steve Sammet (Owner, Electron Eng, SAS Audio Labs, Ret)
SAS "V" 39pf/m 6N copper ICs,
SAS Test Phono Stage
Acutex 320 STR Mov Iron Cart
SAS 11A Perfect Tube Preamp
SAS 25 W Ref Triode/UL Monoblocks
2 way Floor Standing Test Speakers

Offline Nick B

  • Audio Neurotic
  • *****
  • Posts: 4093
Re: Cleaning Your Power Cords
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2021, 08:15:41 PM »
Hi Steve,
I’ll admit to being lazy in this regard and have never had a regular cleaning routine. I’ve probably used ethyl alcohol a few times. Wonder if anyone has a routine they do every 6-12 months.
Nick
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline tmazz

  • Out Of My Speaker Cabinet
  • ******
  • Posts: 12088
  • Just basking in the glow of my tubes.....
Re: Cleaning Your Power Cords
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2021, 08:47:16 PM »
Steve, what kind of spray cleaner did you use?
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline steve

  • Audiologist
  • *
  • Posts: 1238
Re: Cleaning Your Power Cords
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2021, 10:00:25 PM »
Steve, what kind of spray cleaner did you use?

Hi T,

I use Chemtronics ElectrO-Wash. I suppose there are other brands that would
clean just as well though.

Cheers

steve
« Last Edit: May 08, 2021, 10:02:23 PM by steve »
Steve Sammet (Owner, Electron Eng, SAS Audio Labs, Ret)
SAS "V" 39pf/m 6N copper ICs,
SAS Test Phono Stage
Acutex 320 STR Mov Iron Cart
SAS 11A Perfect Tube Preamp
SAS 25 W Ref Triode/UL Monoblocks
2 way Floor Standing Test Speakers

Offline BobM

  • Audio Neurotic
  • *****
  • Posts: 3318
Re: Cleaning Your Power Cords
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2021, 06:20:59 AM »
Also easy enough to grab some cotton balls and isopropyl alcohol. Of course the female wall sockets & plug ends aren't handled so easily - a spray and a few plug-unplugs does the trick there. I also follow up with a quick sploosh of Deoxit Liquid gold.

I try to do this annually and do the interconnects at the same time, including phono cartridge pins, speaker cables and other connectors, but I only use the Deoxit on the power connections.
Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you'll have to blow your nose.

Offline steve

  • Audiologist
  • *
  • Posts: 1238
Re: Cleaning Your Power Cords
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2021, 03:46:21 PM »
Got to thinking and if a plug or socket is oxidized, wd 40 might work as an initial cleaner. Either spray or on paper towel and clean plug. Afterward, spray with no residue cleaner.

I would think this is for exceptionally dirty plugs etc.

Warning: Just be careful and no sparks.

cheers

steve
Steve Sammet (Owner, Electron Eng, SAS Audio Labs, Ret)
SAS "V" 39pf/m 6N copper ICs,
SAS Test Phono Stage
Acutex 320 STR Mov Iron Cart
SAS 11A Perfect Tube Preamp
SAS 25 W Ref Triode/UL Monoblocks
2 way Floor Standing Test Speakers

Offline P.I.

  • Industry Participant
  • *
  • Posts: 1922
  • Silence is that blackness beneath the music
    • P.I. audio group, LLC
Re: Cleaning Your Power Cords
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2021, 10:35:52 PM »
This is exactly why I polish and treat my power cable contacts and receptacles in the BUSSes.

At hoo by shops that do model trains they will gave a product called the Brite Boy.  It is an abrasive eraser made for cleaning brass contacts.  It was my first foray into contact improvement 25 years ago.  It will put a nice plush on contacts.  An ink eraser works OK, too.  Just make sure to clean off the rubber residue with a nice single malt (Irish whiskey to listen to reels, Celtic music, etc.) or other alcohol of your choice.

https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/930032/Paper-Mate-Union-Pen-Pencil-Eraser/

Seems like Office Depot us my go to place tonight.
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." - Hilmar von Campe

Offline rollo

  • Industry Participant
  • *
  • Posts: 6982
  • Rollo Audio - Home demo the only way to know
Re: Cleaning Your Power Cords
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2021, 10:47:45 AM »
   Clean them connectors up. No excuses. Makes ya happy.


charles
contact me  at rollo14@verizon.net or visit us on Facebook
Lamm Industries - Aqua Acoustic, Formula & La Scala DAC- INNUOS  - Rethm - Kuzma - QLN - Audio Hungary Qualiton - Fritz speakers -Gigawatt -Vinnie Rossi,TWL, Swiss Cables, Merason DAC.

Offline P.I.

  • Industry Participant
  • *
  • Posts: 1922
  • Silence is that blackness beneath the music
    • P.I. audio group, LLC
Re: Cleaning Your Power Cords
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2021, 12:37:13 PM »
   Clean them connectors up. No excuses. Makes ya happy.


charles
:thumb:
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." - Hilmar von Campe