electrical phase


1- I see many recommendations for dedicated power lines that they be wired out of phase from the rest of the home.
2- I also see posts touting the benefits of correct electrical phase at the component.

- is correct elec. phase truly important
- is wiring audio lines opposite of the rest of home cuurent important?

if both, then what should one do? wire the audio lines in proper phase and the rest in opposite phase? can running electrical lines out of phase cause damage to gear or appliances?

thanks,
KP
killerpiglet
I am reading the two phases that come into the house, the third phase as mentioned already, goes to the big commercial AC unit that keeps us comfortable during the hot Texas summers.
Glen, regarding your comment: There's no way to separate a 2-pole 220v breaker to one side or the other. I think we all know that? No matter what you do the noise from your 220 circuits will always be present on either side of the panel.

Looks like from what you said that the 220 shares with both circuits, but the two 120 Volt drops ARE separate, and therefore could be dedicated specifically to the stereo for one drop and noisy ( refrigerator, computers, etc.) on the other.

Back again to the fact that they can be separated, and that is what I prefer to do. Your suggestion to balance the panel is your answer to best sound. So until someone has a bunch of time on their hands to try this both ways (would that prove anything owing to the differences home to home?) we are still two opinions.
I've been informed (don't know if it's true) that you/we only have one 'phase' coming into our houses on two seperate 'legs', not 'phases'.

Is this correct, Glen?

I had mentioned in several postings that by moving the amp's circuit breaker to the opposing 'leg' where the other audio circuit breakers reside, I had elminated a fairly audible transformer hum coming from my amp. That is a true statement.

However, I had no idea that affect would occur. I originally moved the amp's circuit to the opposing 'leg' just to see if I would gain any sonic benefits as I had heard that tip from audioasylum or audiogon forums.

I did not notice any sonic improvements.

-IMO
You guy's need to stay out of your panels before you burn your houses down. You have no idea. Trust me!