Install A Dedicated AC Line at home

@ieales

Adding additional ground rods can reduce the efficiency of the Earth which is there primarily for lightning strikes on the power lines.

Not when tied together, and spaced (a good rule of thumb is the length of the rods) equally apart from each other. I admit (most don’t know this), ground rods *are mainly there* for (discharging) lightning strikes. Having been a Radio Broadcast Engineer for over 3 decades, I’ve always dealt with lightning, lightning strikes and lightning damage (oh what fun; but really, what an experience!), with those big lightning rods (towers) sticking straight up into the sky.

I think what confuses many is when they start beefing up their ground rods, they’re most times simultaneously also beefing up (without realizing it) their audio system grounding and bonding infrastructure; hence the perceived and achieved lower noise floors.

Overkill if you understand electricity.

You do realize this hobby is about excess, headroom and overkill, right? 😉

@raam Just to clarify, AC-HCF is considered better than EMT (see the chart on Middle Atlantic's page 13). AC-HCF is considered a 1/2" (depending on gauge of wire) steel-clad MC. 

Optimized Power Distribution and Grounding for Audio, Video and Electronic Systems

Thanks, much appreciated:)

I might be just fine since from panel to each outlet the wires are tightly twisted and separated from all signal cables from 2' up to 7'.

Quad Shield Coax from pedestal to Ethernet switch, looking at upgrades. Only parallel in whole system, 2' from AC lines to outlets then 4ft away at Switch.

CAT6, for now, Ethernet cables, looking into others

Star Quad RCA, tube amp for main speakers, no option for balanced cables.though I have made balanced cables for other systems using it.

As mentioned will make DIY power cords($50 planned, will double if needed but not likely)

I always run good cables but never "audiophile" but well designed and more importantly proper routing distance and methods like 90 degree crossings if needed.

I picked up steel clad flex but the wires were not crossed so returned it, I will take a look at it later today when I go back to the supplier.

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All hobbies to me are about achieving superb results but at the most moderate costs possible. I have a huge history in many endeavors of doing quite well in that regard, including building race cars. I beat a prior world champion high end mobile audio shop owner in front of his SD Charger starting lineman customers in my 5th SQ audio comp event, all DIY in my back yard:) (Zapco, McIntosh, Dynaudio, DIY cables)

@raam 

All hobbies to me are about achieving superb results but at the most moderate costs possible.

100% with you there (where's that fist up in the air emoji when you need it). Congrats on your sky-reaching endeavors!

@dpop said:

Just to clarify, AC-HCF is considered better than EMT (see the chart on Middle Atlantic’s page 13). AC-HCF is considered a 1/2" (depending on gauge of wire) steel-clad MC.

I’ve posted about this before...

Actually,

The most effective way to reduce GVI is to twist the phase conductors together and pull through a conduit with a straight ground wire.
This may be time consuming and impractical, but for critical situations where millivolts matter, this may be the best solution.

Page 40 of your Web Link.

Ground Voltage Induction (GVI)

Non ("Isolated Ground) 3 wire MC aluminum armored cable is the way to go in my opinion. Easier to install than EMT conduit. Not to mention the time that would be spent twisting the Hot and neutral conductors together. Imagine a long run... With MC Code allows a plastic box can be used for the outlet instead of a steel box. A lot of audiophiles avoid using ferrous steel boxes. Some avoid ferrous steel conduit.

 

MC Aluminum Jacket
(best for non-IG runs)

See chart on page 40.

 

(FWIW, It beats me why anyone would install an IG receptacle in a house. )

 

/ / / /

 

From page 13:

Armor Clad for Healthcare Facilities (AC-HCF)
Aluminum Armor Clad for Healthcare Facilities (AC-HCF) is the best choice for
Isolated Ground A/V systems. Like MC, it contains an additional grounding
conductor, although with this type of cable it is permissible to use the metal jacket
as the safety grounding conductor, as required with isolated ground installations.
The biggest benefit is that the average proximity of the hot conductor and the
neutral conductor with respect to the isolated equipment grounding conductor is
nearly equal, virtually eliminating ground voltage induction (GVI), even on long
runs.
Steel Armor Clad for Healthcare Facilities (AC-HCF)
Similar to aluminum armor clad AC-HCF, but does not address ground voltage induction as effectively as aluminum (see Ground
Voltage Induction section of this paper). Two other problems are that steel clad is not readily available and is cumbersome to transport
and install

 

/ / / / /

 

Side note:

For those that may choose to use conduit. Best practices for a true dedicated branch is a true dedicated circuit does not share a conduit or cable with another branch circuit.

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