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Dedicated Circuits - Subpanel importance?

My system is no more. Sold everything. Starting from scratch. Thanks to you and seven months of experience I am doing the following, which is taking care of the number one component, the room:

  1. Treating. The full GIK order in October is starting to arrive.
  2. Running one or more dedicated circuits.

I am addressing #2 in this post. There are extensive discussions here and one can spend hours if not days trying to wring-out the critical details needed for a DIY solution. I have spent hours and there a few things I need to confirm before I proceed because I was unable to find definitive answers.

I am doing this myself. I do not want or need lectures on only having a licensed electrician do this work. I have been doing my own electrical work for many years and am very comfortable doing so.

  1. Does a subpanel help? Is it required? Subpanels are typically supplied from a breaker off of the main panel's bus, so I'm guessing there is no advantage in terms of SQ? Perhaps if I can independently ground the subpanel it might make a difference?
  2. Opening up my walls is not an option, so I need to use conduit. This may restrict the number of lines if the wire should not share the same conduit? If I am restricted to Romex 8 or 10,2 versus metal-clad, is it okay for two runs to occupy the same conduit?
  3. How much better is metal-clad? Is it required vs Romex? Will metal conduit accomplish the same result with Romex?

Answers to these questions will complete my plans and I will go forward at speed. Hopefully this discussion helps others as well even if it's to know what to have their electrician setup for them.

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

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oldandslow's avatar
oldandslow
5 posts
 

jhills
613 posts
 

If your equipment does not have a cord/cable or, from the the manufacture, is required to have a cord/cable with a 20A plug then it was designed and built to operate and perform properly on a standard 15A, 120V circuit. What makes anyone think that a DAC, CDP, turn table, ETC that draws less than 3As will sound or perform any better on its own 20A circuit. Household 120V outlets were not designed for 10AWG wire and No you Can and should Not have a secondary earth ground off a sub panel - not only will it do nothing to improve your sound, it is dangerous and in most cases illegal.

+++ to oldenslow and the few others here who actually know something about household and commercial wiring.......Jim

 

 

 

invalid
1,180 posts
 

There are a few manufacturers that do make 20 amp outlets that support 10AWG wire.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,883 posts
 

Household 120V outlets were not designed for 10AWG wire 

   I disagree see below.

 

 

whart's avatar
whart
3,032 posts
 

I met and for some time knew a guy whose grandfather, named Hubbell, invented the electrical receptacle and pull chain light "switch." In the early days of wiring electricity, they hadn't thought about plugging stuff in as opposed to hard wiring it.  Oh, and turning something on and off? 

My friend had some very nice race cars. Generations later.

The company is still a well regarded supplier of many things electrical. (I like the sunken airport runway lights) :)

*This was an unsolicited message that involved no exchange of consideration with the brand named. :)

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