2. misc-audio
  3. 193545-178608

AC Power

I have a relatively nice system, but have done nothing with my AC power, with the exception of upgraded PC’s and a cheap iFi plug in power conditioner. My question is multi fold… do I need to do something, and if so what? Dedicated line (15A or 20?)? Quality power conditioner? Both? Which one first? How do you tell?

My system is a combination of HT & 2 channel & I tend to use both simultaneously as I like to watch sports while listening to music.
My amp is (I think) a relatively low draw… Moon 330A, Rythmik sub, BHK pre, Aurender, Qutest w/Sbooster, R11’s. No high power amps are in my future & never listen above 75db. I do currently plug my amp directly into the wall. All my wall warts are gone. For my HT, add a 75” Sony TV, Marantz 7015 AVR & a Klipsch sub (although at zero volume the AVR & sub should not come into play).

I am considering buying the Furman IT-Reference 15i or 20i first as they are well reviewed & are priced very well on Amazon ($1,400 / $1,900). Before I pull the trigger, should I go dedicated power & at what amperage (my nephew, an EE & audiophile thinks I am drawing no more than 5 amps) as that will dictate the Furman model?

Interesting, my nephew thinks neither are worth the investment. His statement: “Do you have appliances on the circuit now? What kind of interference can they inject?...voltage drops would come from current draws...which trip breakers.
Not steady 60hz a good power supply handles. So it all comes back to was the power supply engineer dropped on his head as a child.”

”Personally I think it’s something audio people do when they have run out of gear to buy.”

Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

signaforce
immatthewj
3,300 posts
 

Thanks @signaforce and  ​​​​@jea48 .

erik_squires
16,898 posts
 

@jea48 - Of course, always follow the rules, but the 30’ requirement AFAIK is to avoid excess current that is too high for the AIR (current interrupt rating) of panel breakers.

This is a problem for parallel based surge protectors. Furman, when labelled SMP, are series mode and limit current. The cord length is a convenience for professionals who often mount them in portable racks.

You kind of answer your own question here:

The distance (10 meters) is exclusive of the conductors provided with or used to attach SPDs.

IOW, the length of the SPD’s cord is irrelevant to the 30’ requirement.

Furman does make less expensive models which are not labelled SMP, which use plain old MOV's. 

tomcarr
1,694 posts
 

I had a dedicated line installed. Better sound, less noise. Very happy.

jea48
4,789 posts
 

@erik_squires said:

Of course, always follow the rules, but the 30’ requirement AFAIK is to avoid excess current that is too high for the AIR (current interrupt rating) of panel breakers.

Not the breaker... The minimum AIR interrupting rating for a residential dwelling circuit breaker is 10KA. You will see it on the front of the breaker.

The 30ft minimum distance requirement has to do with the fault current rating of the Type 3 SPD . Any idea what the Furman is rated at?
 
My understanding, the 30ft minimum length of the branch circuit wiring impedance will limit the current through the Type 3 SPD.
 
If a Type 3 SPD was plugged into an outlet 5ft from the electrical panel I assume in a lightning transient surge event, it could/would be fried.
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The distance (10 meters) is exclusive of the conductors provided with or used to attach SPDs.
That’s from UL, and NEC. NEC saying the length of the branch circuit wiring from the panel to the wall outlet shall be a minimum of 30ft... 2020 NEC 242.16. Type 3 SPDs. When I think about it, it makes sense the cord would be exclusive of the SPD as far as the NEC is concerned. UL could care less how long the cord is. I assume when UL did their testing they found 30ft branch circuit wiring was the safe minimum length.
.

IOW, the length of the SPD’s cord is irrelevant to the 30’ requirement.

I agree... I just thought that’s why Furman made the 10ft cord captive to add more impedance in the minimum 30ft branch circuit wiring length. An added impedance current limiting fudge factor. (Just curious can the 2400 unit be ordered with a shorter cord. Say 5ft or 6ft?)

I would check with the manufacturer first, before cutting the cord to make it shorter, to see if doing so voids the warranty.

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jea48
4,789 posts
 

I had a dedicated line installed. Better sound, less noise. Very happy.

Good to hear.smiley

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