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Romex and breaker switches

I did a search and have read previous posts, but I still have some questions. I had an electrician install dedicated lines in my listening room when we built our house 20 years ago. I bought simple hospital grade outlets from a big box store and did not specify the gauge of the romex or anything else. I need to clear out my dedicated listening room soon for new hardwood to be installed and figured now would be a good time to revisit and improve my dedicated lines. I have already bought a pair of Oyaide R1 duplexes and intend to have them installed side by side behind my equipment rack. My question is-is there a particular variation of 10 gauge romex that would be best? I have looked and there are quite a few variations including 10-2 and 10-3 and I have no idea what to buy or for that matter, if some other wire that would do the job and not be prohibitively expensive presents a better option. I will need a 20 foot run for each duplex. Also, can someone help me as to whether the breaker switch on my panel matters much and whether I should opt for 20A, 30A, or other? I now know that all runs from my duplexes to the panel should be to the same leg. I will make sure that happens. Any other recommendations or advice about romex/wire to use and breaker switches given my decision to go with Oyaide R1's would be most appreciated. 
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mark_hubbard
52 posts
 
Thank you for your PM, Larry, and thanks as well to everyone for your suggestions!
ampmadscientist
6 posts
 
The average home theater / stereo is going to need 1-2 dedicated circuits. These are usually 12 gauge with 20 amp outlets.

One each dedicated circuit, you can install several receptacles for equipment.

Each circuit run with Romex will have it's own dedicated ground and dedicated neutral as part of the Romex. Sharing neutrals / grounds is really not compliant with modern NEC...

If the power is wired correctly, there is no need for 7 dedicated circuits, 10 gauge wire...30 amp breakers...
This is all over the cliff, I mean seriously.

Are you listening to a stereo?...or...
are you arc welding?


cliffordk33's avatar
cliffordk33
2 posts
 
Dear Forum;

I'm in the same process of adding a single dedicated line.  


I know there have been some posts on this subject, specific to Cryo treated Romex.   I understand there are some knowledge forum users on the subject of power and electrical wiring and I wanted to ask the forum a couple of things based on my extensive reading, because there were a couple of things I was not able to determine.

Objective:

The electrical line to my analog audio system, support several receptacles and powers several other items. My goal is to run a dedicated electrical line to my audio system to 1) reduce the load on this line and breaker, and 2) by running a dedicated line to my audio system and removing the connection to other receptacles, I can improve electrical noise (?) and improve sound quality.  

Consideration:

I have an electrician to do the work and will need to run a dedicated line from a arc protector type (upgraded) breaker – one slot left in box, approx.. 45 feet to a PS Audio Receptacle.   I currently have plugged into this receptacle, a Furman 15pfi power conditioner.

Questions:

Based on my extensive readings here and other forums, my understanding is that Cryo treated Romex inherently affects the sound quality (even after burn in), and there is much debate about this and it seems mostly about preferences. Some say it collapses the soundstage in favor of detail. Please, this post is not about the differences of Cryo treated Romex. I have made the decision to NOT install Cryo Romex, as I feel there are other areas to improve sound quality, staging, etc.. etc. and I have already done so. Again, the goal is to reduce the load on this single line/breaker and hopefully improve sound quality by isolating it.   

I cannot find any information on Synergistic Research website on their Romex.

My question is this: Is it better to run a 12/3 gauge Romex and use one of the sheathed or covered wires as the ground? From what I have read, this seems to be important. I read that it helps with noise and grounding. Or is it more important, or better, to use a 10/2 gauge Romex with the unsheathed or uncovered Ground wire? I may not be able to fit or run a 10/3 Romex with sheathed wire to be used as ground.

Also, should I be installing a 20 amp breaker? The PS Audio receptacle supports 15 or 20 amps. I believe I can still use the Furman 15pfi on this line, correct? This just improves the current flow?

Thank in advance for your input.




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brayeagle
362 posts
 
My home is all-electric, and the two-channel stereo system is in the living room, along with various lighting fixtures, the alarm system  and leads to outdoor lighting.  I had an auxiliary circuit breaker panel installed off the main panel and had the electrician run a separate 20 amp circuit for my Bryston 4BSST2 amplifier, and a 15 amp circuit for the pre-amp, CD  spinner, DAC, Stax headphone amplifier and FM tuner. These units are plugged into one power strip to ensure polarity and eliminate hum.   BTW: You should get a licensed electrician to do the work and have a code inspector sign off; otherwise your home fire insurance might be void. 
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