Dedicated Power Line Project


I’m going to be adding a dedicated AC line to feed my audio system. Currently, the system is fed by a 75 foot run of 14 gauge romex that is likely daisy chained a few times in the wall between outlets. Needless to say when I turn the volume up, dynamics suffer and the overall sound quality is much less than I know my system is capable of. At louder volumes, bass notes will make the lamps dim and if I go louder, it seems like the system struggles and the bass notes get rounded off or sound “fuzzy.” My calculations tell me that with 75 feet of 14g romex, the voltage at the end of the line could be dropping by 5-10 volts, maybe more, during transient peaks. What I think is happening is that the power amps’ power supply caps are draining and there isn’t enough current to recharge them quickly enough and the amps start to draw directly from the AC line which causes a large voltage drop. 

Initially I was looking at a 10 gauge or 12 gauge line with a 20 amp breaker. After running the numbers, even a 10 gauge run could see some significant voltage sag at 75 feet during transients. At that point I considered 8 gauge, but the problem with that is that no electrical outlets will accept anything larger than 10 gauge, so I’ll have to do something fancy like place a junction box and step down to 10 gauge at the breaker panel and just before the outlet. Then I thought if I’m going to that much trouble with an 8 gauge, why not run 6 gauge? My calcs tell me 6 gauge could have a volt or two less variance than an 8 gauge and it wouldn’t be much more cost. So as of now, the plan is to run a 6/2 solid core romex line and run all the equipment of that. (I could run another line for the front end in the future but that isn’t the plan right now).  I have a few questions if anyone would be so kind to reply:

1) Are there any foreseeable issues with running “too large” a power line? I’m not sure if it’s accurate, but I’ve heard that large gauge is good for bass and small gauge is good for treble. Since I’ll be running everything (including the low current draw components like sources, preamps, etc) off this one line, is there any chance I’ll change the sound signature in a negative way?

2) What is better? In-wall romex or THHN inside a grounded conduit? I’m leaning towards romex because my gut tells me having the wire surrounded by something could hinder transients or hurt clarity but I’m not sure that’s accurate - that may just be from my personal experience with low level signal cables where too much insulation can be a bad thing. 
3) Are there any other “gotchas” that you can think of?

I’ve read the MSB Technology article and I’m subscribing to that theory which is this in a nutshell:

“It is the subject and goal of this paper. The gauge of the wire is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than the fact that the line is “dedicated”. The subject of this paper works on the theory that the varying musical demands of your amplifier are actually modulating the incoming power line, divorced from the utility (power company) by some resistance (12 or 14 gauge wall wiring at some length from the breaker panel has too much resistance for audio purposes).”

Thank you and wish me luck!
128x128mkgus
That’s just confusing. Under specification, it says solid and it shows a picture of solid core romex. 
What auxinput said ^^^.It's also too thick to fit behind the screws that clamp it down or in the hole to spring clip it.If you try to bend it tightly it will weaken and break.10 gage barely fits in an outlet.

jea483,237 posts

01-20-2020  
 4:42pm

Per the NEC as well as NEMA, single conductor insulated #8awg solid copper is the largest allowed building wire. Good luck finding any one that carries it. You may find some old #8 solid copper insulated TW or THW single conductor wire. I can tell you from experience it a bear to work with.

I should have checked before I posted. The old memory ain’t what it used to be.
The NEC for many years has stated conductors pulled in raceways #8 and large shall be stranded. (Key words, in raceways)

I had to go all the way back to the 1971 NEC to find where it said # 6 and larger shall be stranded when installed in a raceway. In the 1971 code it says in 1973 the requirement will change to # 8 and larger shall be stranded when installed in a raceway.

. I did a quick search and didn’t find anything in the 2017 NEC requiring #8 and larger NM sheathed cable (Romex) shall be stranded wire. I’ll spend some time tomorrow and see If I can find anything to the contrary.

There is a Lowes in my area and they show they have 6-2 with ground Romex in stock. I’ll stop by and see if the conductors are stranded or solid.
Curiosity killed the cat.......


Jim
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I stopped by Lowes and here is what I found.

8-2 with ground Romex.
Two #8 stranded conductors with one #10 solid bare equipment grounding conductor.

8-3 with ground Romex.
Three #8 stranded conductors with one #10 solid bare equipment grounding conductor.

6-2 with ground Romex.
Two #6 stranded conductors with one #10 solid bare equipment grounding conductor.

6-3 with ground Romex.
Three #6 stranded conductors with one #10 solid bare equipment grounding conductor.

All of the above matches Southwire manufacturer website information.
https://www.mysouthwire.com/medias/sys_master/product-specifications/product-specifications/h77/hfc/...

Jim

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