Hi, I'm not sure this is the best forum to post this question in but I was
wondering how one would go about measuring the impedance of a wall socket?
(Strange question, I know) I have some general ideas but would like to
confirm my thinking. Any websites or other resources explaining the
general concept would be greatly appreciated. Much thanks in advance.
One method, pertinent at 500KHz and up;
"Technique for Measurement of Powerline Impedances in the Frequency
Range from 500 kHz to 500 MHz"
Kwasniok, Bui, Koslowski, Stuchly.
IEEE trans Electromagnetic Compatibility V35 #1 p87-89 Feb'93
Their rough results show peaks and dips between 10 and 1000 ohms over
the band - Peaks at 2 and 20 MHz, dips at 4MHz.
You could use a safely-coupled/limited/filtered spectrum analyser to
generate this data, outside of the powerline frequency, as with any
two-wire network. An HP 3577 used for this shows a range of impedances
between 10 and 500 ohms.
At the line frequency, a rough idea can be obtained by monitoring
voltage distortion (as delta V) vs current drawn (delta I) for any
power component with a capacitive input rectifier.
RL