2. misc-audio
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Dedicated power lines for audio?

I have read all of the stories about PLC's and as a result I first want to build and try a dedicated circuit for my audio system. I have a 200 AMP Square D panel with lots of available space to start with... Now what? What kind of breakers, dedicated surge devices, filters, lines, outlets, ground protection, etc?
dcaseyb
leemark
21 posts
 
remember too to observe phase when placing your new breakers in the panel. Always keep breakers on the same phase. For example mount all your dedicated lines on the same side of the box. Craig I feel sorry for the guy that had to work with your 6ga romex.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Leemark; Good comment re: phase. The 6 ga. wire I used is stranded TPC (tough pitch copper) and all the electrician did was reroute it from my garage, through the attic, and out an attic vent screen (to the outside). So actually that part went pretty smooth and easy. My sub-main box is on the outside of the house, and once there it was pretty straight forward for them. The dedicated AC lines and ground really made a nice improvement in music. Cheers. Craig
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
I ran my own dedicated line: three strands - the usual black, white & green (with some advice from Mike VansEvers) using #10 solid THHN. Line them up straight, & tape the ends all together. Put that combo into your power drill chuck & fasten the other loose ends tight in a vice. Now spin the whole bundle slowly until tight like a spring. It will unwind a lot when you power off the drill. Exchange ends & finish the twist. Run this bundle from the fusebox to a dedicated outlet. BTW: a 20A ceramic fuse sounded much warmer & smother than the glass fuse.
glim
13 posts
 
Hi Dcaseyb, to add to the excellent advice above is my experience from a few days ago: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?dtech&962466641&read&3&4&...Also some related threads as follows (some more related than others): http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?etrbl&944202655&read&3&4&...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?etrbl&938809964&read&3&4& Related threads: Hum and grounding http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?etrbl&956240497&read&3&4&...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?etrbl&959975062&read&3&4&...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?etrbl&958759854&read&3&4&...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?etrbl&954697180&read&3&4&...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?etrbl&921867799&read&3&4& Hope this helps.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Bob.... Interesting observation about glass versus ceramic fuses. I just used glass (that's what the electricians supplied with the box), and did not think to try ceramic, but your experience is much more like what Redkiwi (New Zealand) found. If I could go back and do it again, I'd try the ceramic fuses also. Fortunately the standard breakers sound good. Cheers. Craig
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