Tweakers' Asylum

Top /bottom of AC outlet

136.49.143.101

s.a.b.

I noticed today that the sound changed when I plugged the Wiremold power strip I use from the bottom to the top ac outlet. (The top one sounded "bassier".)

Am I crazy- what would cause this?

Thanks.

Follow Ups:

RE: Top /bottom of AC outlet - s.a.b. 17:14:37 08/21/22 (0)
Thanks for the responses. In both my main and tv/bedroom system, the bottom outlet (which a Wiremold power strip is plugged into in both systems) sounds better.
RE: Top /bottom of AC outlet - Coner 09:58:52 08/21/22 (0)
Please take the front plate off and verify that the top outlet has the main wires on it. Easy to do. Also see if the wires are on the screw terminals, not the "push in" quick connectors, which are are no longer used for 12 ga. wire, and only for 14 ga./15A lighting circuits.
RE: Top /bottom of AC outlet - moray james 17:45:27 08/20/22 (8)
simple the outlet you have is a duplex ther are two outlets on a duplex and only one electrical connection to the line. the outlet donnnected directly to the line will a better connection. The second outlet in a duplex is vonnected via two thin metal connectors. That aside just go with which sounds better to you.
moray james
- this does not sound right - Story 02:16:38 08/21/22 (2)
  the incoming AC cable is connected one of two ways unless there is something different about the outlet
  
  1 - AC cable goes to 2 screw connections on the side shared equally by both outlets
  
  2 - outlets have 2 'insertion' points on the back where you strip the wires about 1/2 inch and push them straight in the backside of the outlet
  
  only an inspection will reveal what's going on. It's also possible that one set of tangs inside are just plain bad with improper contacts or oxidation
  - RE: this does not sound right - Coner 13:54:13 08/21/22 (1)
    Yep. any wire insertion that was done can just be removed and put on the screw clamps, E-Z P-Z.
    - and I went beyond by soldering the 20 amp wires into the outlet after - Story 15:33:49 08/21/22 (0)
      ...after screwing them in tight. I have 2 outlets on the circuit and all my gear plugged into 2 power strips from there, no noise, no problems except power hungry neighbors and all the house air conditioners
- RE: Top /bottom of AC outlet - Tre' 21:18:05 08/20/22 (4)
  "...via two thin metal connectors..."
  
  Do you happen to know the resistance (or impedance) of those two thin metal connectors?
  
  Tre'
  Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
  "Still Working the Problem"
  - Not much, but looks flimsy for a 20A load. nt - Coner 22:22:32 08/22/22 (3)
    nt
    - 20A load? nt - Tre' 15:15:29 08/27/22 (2)
      .
      Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
      "Still Working the Problem"
      - Okay, maybe 15?. nt - Coner 00:52:34 08/31/22 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: 20A load? nt posted by Tre' on August 27, 2022 at 15:15:29
        
        nt
        
        RE: Okay, maybe 15?. nt - Tre' 20:25:55 09/02/22 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Okay, maybe 15?. nt posted by Coner on August 31, 2022 at 00:52:34
        
        are you really going to pull 15 amps through it?
        Have you looked at the size of the wire in a 15 amp fuse?
        Tre'
        Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
        "Still Working the Problem"
        
        Edits: 09/02/22
Everyone knows that it's better on top - 1973shovel 16:47:41 08/18/22 (4)
Seriously, in addition to the proximity of the wiring, as has been stated below, perhaps the contact force was tighter on the top outlet, if it was used less frequently than the bottom.
- Bingo! - Lew 09:52:48 10/11/22 (0)
  The "pressure" or tightness hypothesis makes some sense, especially if the outlet has been in use for a couple of years.
- RE: Everyone knows that it's better on top - Sondek 10:08:07 08/19/22 (0)
  My own experiments regarding the top outlet support your hypothesis.
- my wife used only one outlet for years for her vacuuming - Story 17:21:42 08/18/22 (1)
  and the plug eventually would just fall out looking at it.
  - Yes - 1973shovel 03:23:46 08/19/22 (0)
    I use a corded (i.e. non-rechargeable) electric shaver, the type which comes with a short, coiled cord. While shaving in the bathroom during visits to my brother and his wife's house, if I put any tension whatsoever on the cord while shaving, the plug would fall out.
RE: Top /bottom of AC outlet - jeromelang 18:03:41 08/17/22 (1)
It is the same story with any duplex or distributor/extension box. The receptacle nearest to the incoming ac, the one which is closest to where all the incoming electrical conductors are being connected into will yield the best sound.
- RE: Top /bottom of AC outlet - Lew 09:50:12 10/11/22 (0)
  I've changed out a lot of painted over and ancient AC sockets in our house over the past 30 years. In every case I can recall, both the old socket and the new replacement socket, usually purchased at hardware stores but always of good quality, had the screw or pressure terminals located in a neutral position on the side of the unit, mid way between the top and bottom inlets. So how do you decide which of those is "closest" to the juice?
RE: Top /bottom of AC outlet - pictureguy 14:00:10 08/17/22 (0)
A loose wire......somewhere?

pull the outlet after shutting off the circuit. inspect all connections....
Too much is never enough

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