Ferrite Use

[brisrascal]

I was just in the electrical store looking for stuff for another project when i came on this TDK Ferrite Core. I got it an installed it on the power cable of my HK amp. The sound when i powered up had better clarity and the voices seemed sharper. However I am not sure if i installed it right. As the power cable is a flat two core, i did a simple loop of which i installed the core over. Is this correct? If I did not loop it, the core would not have stayed in place.

 

[Seth=L]

Hmmmm?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Simple question Seth...how do you make this little animal jump through a loop...

Hmmmm?

 

[fmw]

Well, he's experienced placebo effect. Now he just needs to understand it.

 

[Seth=L]

Well, he's experienced placebo effect. Now he just needs to understand it.

I like the placebo effect, it save me time from doing some research.

 

[dorokusai]

I found some "unused" ferrite cores at work that fit my power cables and snapped them inline. I didn't hear anything but I didn't lose anything, so that's a bonus. I've had them on for months and they were....cough, free.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[Seth=L]

I found some "unused" ferrite cores at work that fit my power cables and snapped them inline. I didn't hear anything but I didn't lose anything, so that's a bonus. I've had them on for months and they were....cough, free.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

What are they supposed to do exactly, block EMI, channel it, what?

 

[avaserfi]

What are they supposed to do exactly, block EMI, channel it, what?

They pretty much eliminate EMI/RFI noise by acting as a high frequency resistor.

Check out the wiki link.

 

[Seth=L]

They pretty much eliminate EMI/RFI noise by acting as a high frequency resistor.

Check out the wiki link.

Hmmm. IC.

 

[dorokusai]

That works.

You'll notice the same things on computer connections, specifically USB cables, since I happen to be staring at 3 of them.

Mark

 

[Seth=L]

That works.

You'll notice the same things on computer connections, specifically USB cables, since I happen to be staring at 3 of them.

Mark

Don't stare at them too hard, it could magnetize them.

 

[avaserfi]

Hmmm. IC.

I should point out there is one caveat with these units. Think of them as a well shielded RCA cable you don't need them unless you are experiencing interference. Certain cable applications are more prone interference than others. If you experience minimal distortion they might help, but likely they are one of those "look cool" situations.

With data transfer (USB for example) I believe most manufacturers use them more as a safety situation rather than a necessity as they don't want data corrupted during transfer from device to device.

 

[dorokusai]

Don't stare at them too hard, it could magnetize them.

I think I just went crosseyed.

 

[Seth=L]

I think I just went crosseyed.

That isn't a good sign. The best question is, why would you stare at them in the first place. Did you hope to gain some type of audio super power?

 

[dorokusai]

No, but I was hoping to jar something loose. I only gained earwax accumulation, which is strange because I wished for nosehair. I'm pissed.

Mark

 

[Seth=L]

That earwax isn't going to help you hear those upper frequency bands, which could be good if you are around screaming children any amount of time.

 

[dorokusai]

That thought makes me ill. I will consider my new audiophile tweak, earwax.

 

[Rickster71]

They act as a high impedance, to high frequency EMI/RFI electronic noise.
Ferrite cores are one of the simplest types of interference filters to install on electronic cabling.
They work best located nearest the equipment end of the wire. Not at the wall receptacle.
If you have a ferrite ring, the wire is simply wrapped around the core through the center a few times. I've used clamp-on also.
I've seen them at Radio Shack.

 

[Haoleb]

I was just in the electrical store looking for stuff for another project when i came on this TDK Ferrite Core. I got it an installed it on the power cable of my HK amp. The sound when i powered up had better clarity and the voices seemed sharper. However I am not sure if i installed it right. As the power cable is a flat two core, i did a simple loop of which i installed the core over. Is this correct? If I did not loop it, the core would not have stayed in place.

From your descirption you have it installed properly, As another member mentioned place it close to the unit itself. Most tv's, computer equipment etc etc already have ferrite cores installed on the mains line directly after it enters the unit. Im guessing it was one of those snap closed types since you looped it. Should look like the picture below, Only, with a power cord.