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Dedicated circuits? Bldng a new house. Help.

I am in the process of having a house built. I have a 50/50 theater/music system, mostly all Linn stuff, and I am very ignorant about electrical power. My stuff is all currently plugged into a Tice power conditioner, except the amps are plugged directly into the wall. I do not have ANY dedicated circuits. They are all sharing.

I have 2 amps,processor,dvd player,cd player,xbox 360, cable box,and a plasma.

Since I am building, obviously this is the time to do what I need to do. So please help. How many dedicated circuits? What plugs into each one? What do I do with the Tice? What kind of outlets?

Thanks.
rushrx
jaf2290
107 posts
 
Rushrx,
what linn gear do you have? as a fellow linnie i may be able to share specific experiences with you, or vice versa
jea48
4,310 posts
 
If you have not started the wiring yet, the first thing you need to do is spec the main electrical panel to be Square D QO. The Square D QO panel has copper plated buss not aluminum as many have. Make sure it is not the Square D home Line brand, it has aluminum buss.

Next pay the extra $$ and have copper wire installed from the electric meter to the main electrical panel, not aluminum. The utility companies wire to the meter will be aluminum, nothing you can do about that.

How far will your audio room be from the main electrical panel? Approximate, don't forget to figure up and down. If the length are approaching 70 ft or more you may want to consider a sub panel closer to your equipment.

As for the number of branch circuits Walkelin pretty much covered it in his post. Cheaper now than later down the road.
soundwise
39 posts
 
do two four gang outlets 20 amps each and that will do it.

LISTEN CAREFULLY!!!!DO NOT PUT THE DEDICATED BREAKERS FOR THESE OUTLETS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF YOUR ELECTRIC PANEL!!THIS CAN CAUSE A PHASE PROBLEM WHICH YOU WOULD NEVER TRACE!
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR CIRCUITS ON SAME SIDE. ODD OR EVEN.
JUST GIVE THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR ELECTRICIAN, HE WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO. ALSO YOU COULD BUY SOME HIGH END OUTLETS FROM TRANSPARENT OR ANY GOOD COMPANY. RUNNING LARGER GAGE WIRE TO YOUR OUTLETS COULD ALSO HELP...

ENJOY!!
jea48
4,310 posts
 
Next pay the extra $$ and have copper wire installed from the electric meter to the main electrical panel, not aluminum. The utility companies wire to the meter will be aluminum, nothing you can do about that.

The utility companies wire to the meter socket will be aluminum, nothing you can do about that.
This would be for an underground service hook up. If the service will be fed overhead have the electrical contractor install copper wire for the service drop also to feed the meter socket. Again the utility company's feed from the pole to the weather head will be aluminum.
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