solderdude
Grand Contributor
With the caveat that I haven't studied electricity, so these may be newb questions:
- If there was a large electrical differential between myself and an A90, and I put on headphones attached to the A90 via a cable, and the headphones+cable don't have adequately high resistance, could that damage the A90?
ESD voltages can be as high as 30kV. AFAIK Topping tests up to 10kV. After the L30 debacle I believe they now test at 30kV.
Protocols prescribe all inputs, outputs and parts that can be touched (volume control, buttons, switches, displays, cabinet) must be tested with air and direct discharges.
Voltages above 30kV are not really possible/likely in practice.
10kV is easily reached on the body by walking across a carpet in low humidity.
So whether or not the A90 can be damaged ... I can't really say.
- Is it possible that the headphones could develop a electrical differential if detached from the A90, and upon connecting it, that could also damage the A90?
When you have developped ESD and you hold the plug of the headphone while plugging it in this could potentially damage something when high enough (in voltage and or duration)
You will know when you produce 'sparks' when touching grounded things in the house.
What happens is that the ESD voltage on your body finds a path to ground via the amp (which is grounded usually) and components inside the amp must be able to withstand currents flowing from the inputs or outputs through these parts to ground.
This can be XLR inputs and outputs as well as TRS and Pentaconn and RCA.
Unplugging... no