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Dedicated line: 10 gauge solid core or 8 gauge stranded

Hi everyone,

I'm having a dedicated line installed for my system. I read recommendations to run a 10 gauge wire, but I thought, why not 8 gauge? It's my understanding that there are no receptacles that would accept the thickness of a 8 gauge wire, so my question is: is it best to run a 8 gauge wire all the way to the receptacle and then bring it down to 10 gauge with a junction box to connect to the receptacle, or, just run a 10 gauge wire from panel to receptacle??
Also, the 10 gauge wire the electrician showed me was solid (just 1 thick wire), while the 8 gauge wire was stranded. Does that make a difference for sound? Which gauge would you go with?? 

Thanks!

Pierre
galpi
ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
1,052 posts
 
10 gauge solid core, solid copper is what you want A) because it’s likely the max code where you are, check and then double check in your area to be sure and B) stranded will likely give more audio problems as it ages.

There are times when the book calls for 10awg, or even larger, but almost never is it approved, just don’t buy anything "copper coated" (get solid copper all the way to ground) or stranded and you should be fine unless your amps are Very high powered.

If you need/can get 8awg, get solid core.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Do you want to code? Or do you want to sound good?
djones51
4,947 posts
 
How many receptacles are you installing and what are you connecting to them.
gs5556
1,235 posts
 
I use 3 wire 10 gage Romex because the wires come pre-twisted. This goes a long way to reducing common mode noise being picked up from the EMI producing computers, routers, modems, iphone chargers, alexas, etc.

If the circuit wire hot, neutral and ground are run parallel (i.e. 2-wire romex), they become very efficient EMI antennas. Doesn't matter what gage. Wires have to be twisted. That is the way to getting rid of a lot of power issues.
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