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Isolated ground for 20 amp

Hello,

I am planning to have three 20 amp circuits run from my panels into my music room which is right next to the basement where I got two 200 amp breaker boxes. 

To add an separate breaker box directly from the transformer, I was told it would be very expensive and it would make it commercial.

The electrician said, he can make a separate 100 amp panel and run 3 20 amp circuits. But the ground from the separated breaker box will be connected to the ground of one of the main panels. If the grounds are finally connected to the main panel, what is the point of having a separate 100 amp panel? I have quite a few 20 amp slots available in the main panels.

I am also reading about isolated ground. What does it exactly mean? I also read that, it is dangerous to have isolated ground and regular ground next to each other, as each can have a different potential and it can kill people when touched simultaneously.

I also read that, all grounds have to be connected to each other as a safety code. If that is the case, how does isolated ground actually isolate?

Also, I want to connect my components directly to the three 20 amp lines, so I can save cost on conditioners. How do conditioners work? some say they impair sound.

My components are: Reed Muse 3c, Ypsilon MC26L SUT, Ypsilon VPS100, Cary SLP05, Cary DMS600, Cary CAD 211FE monoblocks, KEF Blades

Sorry, any guidance is hugely appreciated.
kanchi647
erik_squires
16,069 posts
 
Running dedicated lines and power conditioners is not at all the same thing.

Dedicated lines don't remove noise once it's at the pole and don't provide surge protection. I never suggest a $10k power conditioner, my suggestions were much more modest.

As some one else pointed out, the one thing they do is limit the voltage drop which other devices may cause on the same line.

Best,

E
kanchi647 OP
70 posts
 
@erik_squires can you please recommend a few power conditioners. I am also looking into power distributors. Pros and Cons?

Have you heard of Puritan conditioner which does not limit transient peak currents unlike other power conditioners.

Thanks
Nanda

kanchi647 OP
70 posts
 
I have the ability to run 240V. I contacted CARY to see if the CAD 211FE can be run on 240V. Any advantage to 240V for the power amps.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,883 posts
 
@ Kanchi647, My two dedicated lines are dual voltage. The two plugs i have are a leviton 5842-i top125 Volts/20 Amps, bottom 250 Volts/20 Amps. Wire is 10/3 AWG orange romex. Once you do that. You can buy any audio gear you want. As i said in my old post i run my amps mono blocks, and preamp,on 230 Volts. I install the two dedicated lines 15 years a go. If you do not want 250 Volts, leave the (red) wire in the panel and @ the plug. If you google that plug you will see what i mean. Dedicated circuit is (isolated ground). Remember current go's back to source, (not ground). Make all three romex lines the same length, from panel to plug. You do not need a separate panel... hope that helps.. mike.
erik_squires
16,069 posts
 
Hello @kanchi647

@erik_squires can you please recommend a few power conditioners. I am also looking into power distributors. Pros and Cons?

I go over this mostly in my blog post, but as you may know, I like to stay with less expensive brands, as I believe that the most expensive tend to devolve into snake-oil and placebo salesmanship, not to mention end up not having the appropriate UL rating as surge protectors.

The best performing I know of are Zero Surge and Brick Wall. However, as much as I like them they are limited in features.

I use the Furman line with SMP and LiFT which seems to work well for noise reduction and have a great number of features, like multiple banks, triggered outlets, etc.

You can find links to both here:

https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html
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