2. misc-audio
  3. 168555-93199

Power conditioning for multiple dedicated circuits

I have been looking through the discussions and cannot find specifics on how people condition a dedicated circuit. I ran 4 new lines to my music room. There are two wall receptacles where I removed the tab on each to have each outlet on the duplex a dedicated circuit. I have my amp, preamp and phono stage plugged into 3 and a monster power center plugged into the 4th to cover all other items(subwoofer, DAC, streamer, turntable power supply).

All the conditioners I am finding are similar in design to my Monster where there are 8+ outlets. Are there any single outlet models for my application or would I need to allow space to stack up multiple units only utilizing one from each?
dhite71
jea48
4,425 posts
 
I'm not suggesting power conditioners don't work- in fact, they may work effectively in eliminating more than what you intended.
True

Most of the ac mains "dirty power" found in our houses is caused by devices, equipment, and appliances, found in the home. Including the audio equipment itself.

As for dirty power put back out on the ac mains by the audio equipment, that is why more than one dedicated  branch circuit is used.  
YMMV.  
jea48
4,425 posts
 
builder3454 posts  

08-08-2021  
 12:46pm  

I think you’ve now protected your 12 wire circuits with a 40A breaker, which is a huge mistake.
Correct. The breaker needs to be a 2 pole 20 amp breaker.
jea48
4,425 posts
 
dhite71 OP147 posts

08-08-2021
12:23pm                         


@jea48
I did the 2nd scenario you described. I chose this because when I went to Lowes to pick up the Romex they had a bundle of 12/3 wire that was 1/2 price due to a return. Therefore each duplex receptacle has 2 hot, 1 neutral and 1 ground. I removed the hot wire’s tab and wired to a double pole 40amp breaker so they each have their shared 20amp breaker but you cannot forget to switch one side off in the event of later work. I did not research nor ask about this method so the only reason was simplicity. What are the disadvantages? I originally thought about using 10ga wire but got swayed by the wire on sale. From your response I suppose sharing the ground and neutral disqualifies them from being dedicated. What is the disadvantage for they way I have them wired?

I did the 2nd scenario you described. I chose this because when I went to Lowes to pick up the Romex they had a bundle of 12/3 wire that was 1/2 price due to a return.
It’s nuts what Romex is selling for now. You can buy 12/2 and 12/3 MC (Metal Clad) aluminum armor cable cheaper than Romex. Supply and demand!

Before I explain where, imo, you went wrong in the type of wiring and wiring methods you used please explain why you are looking at buying plug in power conditioners? Are trying correct something? Are you hearing something from the speakers of your system you don’t like? Did you hear it before you added the 4 new circuits?

.
dhite71 OP
318 posts
 
@jea48 I don’t have a problem that I am aware, but wanted to experiment in power conditioning. Many speak very highly and this would be new ground for me to explore.

I did not appreciate any change/improvement in sound before the new circuits either, but makes me feel better.  I also like being able to easily flip the 'music room' breaker whenever I leave the house for an overnight stay.
4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 
My apologies. I read right past the 40 A  and assumed the split  load myself. Yes, 20A is the correct size.
More to discover