Going to have a dedicated line installed- What should i know to ask for?

This might take some time but there are a few members here who are steeped in this, with one or two in the extreme and they may not see this as I haven't seen them post in awhile.

Having said that, do a search on "dedicated lines" and you'll see lots of discussion on it. It will take time but the few I mentioned will pop up repeatedly and you can zero in on their thoughts and maybe PM them with your particulars.

I can't, for the life of me, remember their names.

All the best,
Nonoise

This is a commercial HUGE building in Brooklyn. Aside form street power there is a lot going on in the building itself... It is my thinking that a dedicated line with proper ground would still be beneficial. He is charging me $300 per line... Not sure i have anything to lose...

Just want to get as many tips.

Well your at the mercy of the buildings wiring. Yes do what you are going to do.

For all your line level equipment, I suggest to use a 110v to 110v isolation transformer. Something like this. And if you use them, plug your mains filter distribution board into the isolation transformer, and your line level gear into the board.
http://www.bkprecision.com/products/power-supplies/1604A-single-output-isolation-transformer.html

For your power amp/s, plug direct into the new dedicated heavy duty wall outlet. (NO power conditioners, they sap the dynamics.)

Cheers George

The NEC is the National Electrical Code in the U.S. Covers every state. Personally, I’d run 12 wire for 20amps, rather than 14, there’s virtually no difference in the price of the material, compared to the job as a whole. Beyond that, I’ve no idea about audiophile grade connections, etc. Do your research ahead of time, or let the electrician know your plans/wishes before he’s on site, not after.This all presumes that it’s even possible to install a dedicated circuit in an old building like you describe. You may be downstream of other sub-panels, and the like. Georgehifi, ground clamps on water pipes are frowned upon in the NEC, have been for years, even though thousands still exist. Anything new almost always gets modern 10’ ground rods driven into the earth, and in pairs. Too much old iron plumbing has been replaced in pieces with plastic, disconnecting the electrical grounds. You may already know this, of course. Also, at least in the part of the U.S. that I'm familiar with, electricians don't work on any part of the service upstream of the meter, such as the "drops". Those are done by the local utility district. And as a disclaimer, I’m not an electrician. Good luck.

I think one member is jea48, and it looks like builder3 may be, not sure about that.

dumbeat OP
71 posts11-27-2018 3:11pm
Im in Brookly NY. Should have mentioned.

Just a guess, the electrician will not pull an electrical permit?

$300 for each dedicated circuit would cover the material. His labor must be free.

Though the NEC is the electrical code book, States, counties, and cities, use across the US they do not have to fully adopt it in its’ present form. They can amend it as they see fit. NY is no exception.
Your electrician will know what is required for your city. Electrical code as a rule is bare minimum. Nothing prevents you from exceeding bare minimum standards.
I would assume the new circuit/s will have to be installed in a metallic raceway. No Romex....

More than likely because it’s an old building surface mounted raceway and boxes. Just a guess the electrician will recommend Wiremold raceway and boxes.Example of: https://www.platt.com/CutSheets/Wiremold/500%20and%20700.pdf


As a rule for audio applications:

No multiwire branch circuits. There in, no shared neutrals.

Do not share a common raceway with other branch circuits. Each dedicated circuit should have it’s own raceway. To prevent the chance of ground loop hum the hot and neutral conductors should be slightly twisted together and the safety equipment ground wire pulled in along side the twisted pair. (Size raceway accordingly)
Read pages 30 through 36. https://centralindianaaes.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/indy-aes-2012-seminar-w-notes-v1-0.pdf

All dedicated circuits that will feed audio equipment that are connected together by wire interconnects should be fed from the same Line, Leg, from the electrical panel. Line 1 or Line 2. Not from both.
20 amp circuit/s only. Why waste your money on a 15 amp circuit/s to save a few bucks.
Also..... Most after market audio grade duplex receptacles come in 20 amp only. Per NEC and AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) a 20 amp duplex receptacle cannot be installed on a 15 amp branch circuit. On the other hand 2 ore more 15 amp receptacles can be installed on a 20 amp branch circuit. A duplex is two.
Jim