This is a straight forward job for any competent electrician. You simply want a new (or several) circuit(s) run from point A (main panel) to point B (location of the outlet in your room). Your electrician will need to assess the following:
- Is there additional space available for more circuit breakers at the main panel. If not, can he install a sub-panel.
- How is your house constructed. Is it framed w/ a crawl space or basement, or on top of a slab. Is there an attic over the listening room. Are the outlets to be located on an outside wall, and what type of insulation material was used. In other words, he has to determine if it is physically possible to get a new circuit from the panel to the room. I would think only the most unusually constructed house would prevent this from being doable. Of course, you could possibly gain a few new holes in the walls that will need repaired.
As previously mentioned, any good electrician deals with these considerations all the time. The fact that it would be for an audio application is where you need to do your homework (and legwork), as far as determining what materials you want installed, and having those on the job for your electrician. So, consider the following:
- What type of wiring do you want installed. Simple Romex 12-2 w/ground could suffice. Or, go a bit further and request 12-2 w/ ground MC (metal clad) or for a bit of overkill, go w/ 10 guage wiring, although most electricians will scoff at this request. This will all be available locally at the electrical supply house, and can be furnished by the electrician provided he knows what you want before the install commences. Or do you want the cadillac, such as cryo'd "audiophile" grade house wiring from a company such as Virtual Dynamics, which needs to be pre-ordered.
- Decide which brand of outlet you will be using, and have that on the job (such as from Porterhouse Audio, PS Audio, etc) I suppose you can also find "special" circuit breakers if you're so inclined.
It basically boils down to this - for you, time is money, so whatever ducks you have lined up beforehand, will be money saved. Remember, unless you can find an electrician who will provide a firm bid for the job, any discussions you have with him once the job has started will be charged at his hourly rate for time and material work. So if you have any knowledge of construction techniques, take the time and determine how the wiring will be routed and have any specialty materials available. I assume a search of the forum archives for "dedicated wiring" will provide more than you ever wanted to know about this topic. Have fun and good luck ... Tom
- Is there additional space available for more circuit breakers at the main panel. If not, can he install a sub-panel.
- How is your house constructed. Is it framed w/ a crawl space or basement, or on top of a slab. Is there an attic over the listening room. Are the outlets to be located on an outside wall, and what type of insulation material was used. In other words, he has to determine if it is physically possible to get a new circuit from the panel to the room. I would think only the most unusually constructed house would prevent this from being doable. Of course, you could possibly gain a few new holes in the walls that will need repaired.
As previously mentioned, any good electrician deals with these considerations all the time. The fact that it would be for an audio application is where you need to do your homework (and legwork), as far as determining what materials you want installed, and having those on the job for your electrician. So, consider the following:
- What type of wiring do you want installed. Simple Romex 12-2 w/ground could suffice. Or, go a bit further and request 12-2 w/ ground MC (metal clad) or for a bit of overkill, go w/ 10 guage wiring, although most electricians will scoff at this request. This will all be available locally at the electrical supply house, and can be furnished by the electrician provided he knows what you want before the install commences. Or do you want the cadillac, such as cryo'd "audiophile" grade house wiring from a company such as Virtual Dynamics, which needs to be pre-ordered.
- Decide which brand of outlet you will be using, and have that on the job (such as from Porterhouse Audio, PS Audio, etc) I suppose you can also find "special" circuit breakers if you're so inclined.
It basically boils down to this - for you, time is money, so whatever ducks you have lined up beforehand, will be money saved. Remember, unless you can find an electrician who will provide a firm bid for the job, any discussions you have with him once the job has started will be charged at his hourly rate for time and material work. So if you have any knowledge of construction techniques, take the time and determine how the wiring will be routed and have any specialty materials available. I assume a search of the forum archives for "dedicated wiring" will provide more than you ever wanted to know about this topic. Have fun and good luck ... Tom