Dedicated Circuits - Subpanel importance?

I usually like to have @jea48 in these threads because he really knows the NEC and your local code may add more.

On the sub panel issue, I did add a sub panel with a copper buss bar to set up what amounts to a separate subsystem for the hi-fi.* Additional connections notwithstanding, it was a fairly long run from the main panel and adjacent new sub panel up to my room. That was connected via 4 gauge feeder line (I had the electricians install a 10kVA isolation transformer) and the run via 4 gauge eventually terminates in another small sub panel in a room adjacent to the listening room, where 10 gauge Romex was used for multiple dedicated lines to hospital grade Porter Ports from good ol’ Albert (I don’t think he has them anymore). All ground tied back to the main household ufer, as others have mentioned.

They did have to break sheet rock to run the dedicated lines but it wasn’t that big a deal to patch and paint. FWIW, I had Romex in a conduit in a previous set up and it was a disaster- noise on one line (from an air compressor for my tone arm) was transmitted to the system given how the lines were bundled. I think each install presents its own challenges. Even if you are doing your own work in a jurisdiction that permits it, it might pay to get a consult from a solid electrician. I lucked out this time (not the first time I’ve done a dedicated room) and got some commercial electricians who were willing to do residential work as well. Went very smoothly- no issues since this latest installation in 2017.

I have always pulled permits for this stuff and where I am now-- Austin-- is permit crazy. I’ve seen wiring out in West Texas that was absolutely frightening, I figure out in the country, they probably have a guy who does triple duty- Justice of the Peace, funeral director and electrical inspector. :)

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*This will also help me cut out the hi-fi from the eventual install of a Generac to avoid the problem Fremer said he had with the ATS creating noise on his system even when the generator was not operating. I have no need to play the system when the main power is out, but I'll be able to route to the hi-fi subsystem first, then into the main service panel which will tie to the ATS for the generator system. 

My thoughts.

First off if you are going to run more than on dedicated circuit make sure they are both on the same side of the 220. Of not it sounds bad. I have seven dedicated circuits in my main listening room. The other things I did was they are all 20. Amp circuit s. I also made sure that every wire was the exact same length. They all have furutech top of the line plugs on them started with industrial grade 20 amp plugs and there was a huge huge difference going to the badboy furutech plugs. At three hundred Canadian a piece it was one of the best HiFi spending I ever did. I also braided the powerline s around eachother to cancel out Rd and EMI. I had open walls so everything was buries in the wall. After that was in placee 5/8 OSB then a layer of 5/8 fire rated drywall much more dense than regular 1/2 in fact it wieghs over twice as much. 

 I should have double layered that but didn't. I stall have very strong and stuff walls. I have the studs and the ceiling all stuff with Rockwood insulation. The back wall is canted one inch in seven and a half feet. And the corners are cut off at and able at the back wall as well. Had the ceiling sprayed with acoustic popcorn ceiling. The wall diffusion and some suction in a very few places. Enjoy and remember when you build something you have to be prepared to realize you made a mistake and start over. You can groove wide thick baseboard to hide wires behind to move power around the room. Also make sure if you run wires down a conduit that the twist around each other some long runs that are parallel are bad. 

Regards Tom

I ran 10AWG stranded for my Audio only equipment using flexible Armored Conduit (AC) cable that my local electrical supply house provided me. He sold me the stranded 10AWG separately for the AC cable. What a pain in the Ass to fish 3 wires (H,N,GND) through about 70 ft. or so of AC ! But with a Fish Tape, I "got ’er done".

Installed a 20A Breaker at the panel for the Audio Equipment along with a Tripp Lite powerstrip (also 20A) into a PS Audio Receptacle. Ran another circuit 12 AWG AC solid conductor 70ft. run f(also 20A) or just my Computer Equipment, TV, ISP Modem/Router/WiFI box, and any other Computer peripherals.

Strangely, I had a recent power surge which took out my BAT VK50-SE Preamp (sent to their factory already). But NONE of my other equipment was affected. The Preamp was turned off as was everything else except the PS Audio DirectStream DAC and the Bluesound Node 2i.

No power regenerators or conditioning and my AC line is as quiet as a mouse. Maybe I’ll build a Balanced Transformer one day. But for now, I’m happy (until the BAT went down) :-(

@rajugsw , power surge took out your preamp and didn’t trip the surge protector?

I am retired with 30+ years in the electrical field. I do not claim to know everything about anything, yet I have answers to all of your questions. Please PM me if you are interested in discussing this further. My background started in residential wiring in the 1980s and retired in the Power generation and transmission field. I also have worked as a hobby doing home theater and 12vdc installations in my free time since I was a young buck at 14 years old. I am hesitant to post in the thread as every big brain will comment, most of which have no clue will want to argue or debate the topic. There is no debating the physics of electricity or proper grounding. Several questions need a yes answer before investing in power supply isolation is discussed. (Type of service entrance, proper grounding being most important in multiple A/C panel installs, bonding, provider voltage drop +/- up to 10% is allowed and set by your utility provider, not the national electrical code.

With Respect,

Grizz

Chad Allen Braden

IBEW Journeyman wireman, power station electrician, certified C & I tech, Electrical shop owner, and so on. I am not an engineer at a desk, I have hands-on knowledge of installation and maintenance. I would still be working if not for being chased by the reaper due to an untreatable nervous system disorder.