Saw it, you did great. Many thanks....
Sources for information and/or advice on dedicated AC lines desired
I have relocated, and the new house will allow me to at long last have dedicated AC power lines in the music listening room. Halleluiah! I’ve seen the topic discussed over the years, and have a general idea of what is needed, but can I get recommendations of sources of information about the details of what the optimum power and wiring system is, and exactly what to have done by a professional electrician (in the event that is necessary) to achieve it? And/or personal advice on wiring and power sources (excluding power conditioners---I mean just raw power. I already have Shunyata and Bybee units for conditioning) required for optimum sound quality? For instance:
- How many separate lines from the main panel to the room? Separate lines for sources vs. amps, analog vs. digital? My system sources are LP, analog tape, digital, and FM radio. Three tube pre-amps, a couple of tube and three SS power amps. And ESL speakers and powered subs also needing AC, of course.
- Amperage advisable for each line? 20 Amps?
- What to look for to determine if the already-installed wire is sufficient? And if it is not, the type and gauge of wire to have installed? 10g Romex?
- Grounding---metal rod into the earth?
- Anything else of concern not listed above.
Thanks for any recommendations of sources of information. Personal recommendations and/or advice also welcomed!
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- 38 posts total
eichlerera05-14-20 " ... I'm about to run two dedicated lines into my stereo room using a dedicated breaker panel. For grounding should I drive two copper grounding rods into the earth (one for each circuit) or can I connect both lines to one grounding rod?" Neither. That wouldn't meet code. All grounds must return to the grounding bus bar in the service panel. |
The earth does not possess some magical mystical power that sucks nasties from an audio system.
The ground rod must connect to the safety equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit wiring. The branch circuit safety equipment grounding conductor must be connected to the equipment ground bar of a sub panel or main electrical service neutral/ground bar in the main electrical service panel. Period!
Lightning loves Auxiliary Grounding Electrodes. Audio equipment not so much. Good for a quick high energy buzz though..... |
euchlerera---I too had thought that was something that might be done, but in reading the various threads I was referred to here (thanks again guys!), I learned that it absolutely should NOT be done, and is illegal anyway! The grounding arrangement is for the entire panel, not for separate breakers on it. You would install new grounding only if you have a separate new panel installed (as mentioned by ghosthouse) in the house. But I seem to recall Harry Pearson years ago saying that he looked into doing just that in the house in Sea Cliff, and was told that two separate accounts to the same residential address was not permitted. Perhaps that is a local or state issue, or perhaps Harry was given incorrect information, I don't know. I don't think I would do it anyway! |
- 38 posts total