Advice on New Electrical Service


Hi folks. I am in the middle of home renovations and have a great opportunity to upgrade the juice reaching my two channel system. I am having the service moved to the other side of the house where it will feed a new 200amp panel. There is a transformer on the pole outside my window. I already have a 15amp dedicate line to a four way (quad) outlet behind my entertainment center, which holds my TV, DVD-VCR and all my audio equipment. Here is what I am thinking/planning on doing. I'd really appreciate comments to help me approach this a thoroughly as possible...

My town has it's own electrical power generating system and I know one of the guys who works for the public works department. I'm thinking of asking him to check and test the transformer to make sure it is appropriate size and is operating properly. I will also ask that the new service feed be copper rather than aluminum wire.

At the panel I am going to install an Environmental Potentials 2050 to deal with noise, surges and lightning damage. I am then going to have the electrician create a new 20 amp circuit to a duplex outlet for my amp and preamp. This will be run off the first tap. The existing 15 amp direct line will be upgraded to a 20amp circuit for the quad and will run off the second tap. I will connect the TV and all other components to this line. The two separate dedicated lines will be wired "in phase" so as not to produce noise. I will have the electrician install three new Porter Ports for the quad and new single outlet.

I am also considering getting an Environmental Potentials 2450 to plug all the components into behind the entertainment center but this seems like overkill. If I did this I would merely upgrade the current 15amp dedicated line to a 20amp and install the Porter Ports. (Since the additional outlets would not be necessary).

This is the best plan I have been able to generate given my limited technical expertise in this area. I'd really appreciate hearing if I am on the right track, thinking about the right things, haven't missed anything or gotten it wrong before I order the equipment and talk to the people who are going to be doing the work.

Thanks for the help.
128x128dodgealum
Hi Dogealum, I know it is very old thread, but my electrician also insisting on Murray Panel with Copper Bus ( QO sq d is very hard to find for outdoor 40 circuits).
What would your advise on that ?
Hey Diwakarv, I just did my panel & used a Murray. There's no difference.Just go all out. Use thermo mag. breakers, clean ground bar & cyro treated romex w/cyro treated outlets. AMB Dan
Take a look at the Cutler Hammer "CH" panel. It is very similar to the Square D "QO" style panel and is readily available for Single Phase Residential use.
That panel will work. Is it available, is the price the same as the Murry? Did you compare the price of the breakers? I went w/100amp subpanel, it came with all the breakers 12(thermo-mag.) for under $100.00. All copper. I'm using 1-20amp for my Furman & 2-15amp 1 each for each amp.Keep us informed on how things go.
Thanks Guys, I will go with Murray. It is very hard to find QO with 40 circuits/outdoor. I am planning to go with regular Romex 10AWG and Oyaide R1 Cryo outlet.I am still debating whether to go for Environmental Potential EP 2050 & Ep 2750, too expensive ( $700 + $250). Is there alternative to that or cheaper place to buy them ?