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200-amp Breaker Panel Question

My current 100 amp panel is being replaced tomorrow with a 200-amp panel with a copper bus (along with my meter box outside so that the electric company will then run 200 amp lines to my home rather than the current 100 amp service). I've read conflicting opinions here and in other forums regarding whether your dedicated lines should be on the same phase while also trying to place the noisier appliances (dryer, refrigerator, AC etc,) on the opposite phase. If you have any actual experience with this topic or are an electrician and an audiophile, I would certainly appreciate your input to help me resolve this issue.

I am also planning on having my dedicated lines on the first circuit breakers after the power line enters the breaker panel.

I cleaned the copper bus with CRC and treated it with Caig Pro Gold. Of my six dedicated lines (all of which are home runs), 4 of them are 10 gauge conductors in flexible Greenfield conduit and two of these are for my monoblock amplifiers and will be linked to 30 amp circuit breakers. Finally, for various reasons, neither a sub-panel or second mains panel are options at this time.

Any other suggestions you can think of?

Thanks in advance for any assistance you may provide.
fmpnd
fmpnd OP
481 posts
 
Tweak1,

I have also heard that and I was considering having a second "mains" panel (not a sub-panel) but certain logistical problems prevent me from doing so.

Thanks.
elevick
2,638 posts
 
A separate 50 amp panel would be awesome if you can pull it off?
I'd also suggest a whole house surge protector. It will fit inside your new panel and will stop major surges (ie lightning). It won't eliminate the need for smaller units throughout your house. It will protect them from getting fried when doing their jobs.
Should be $300-$400
rodman99999
6,162 posts
 
Hi Mr F- One of the best things about silver is that it's oxide doesn't affect electrical transfer the way copper's does. It wouldn't hurt to re-apply it now and then. But- it shouldn't be necessary. Actually- removing breakers is a very simple task, and the application of the SST should be quite easy. Apply it(sparingly of course) to the breaker contact with a pipe cleaner(the one that grips the main), and to the wire/breaker connection.
psacanli
535 posts
 
If you want an upgrade consider a sub panel of 'balanced power'units from Equitech. Or more economically buy a couple of their "blowout sale" slightly noisy transformers in a box and use them as subpanels. I did and have been very satisfied with the improvements to my Spectra/MIT system. Good luck. Pete
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Fmpnd, it sounds like you've got your ducks in a row.

About the only things remaining to consider might be:

o An industrial grade service panel (perhaps silver bus).

o Cryo-treated dedicated lines (I had Cryo-Nebraska double-cryo 500 ft. of 10 gauge).

BTW, proper line conditioning should negate any concern for noisy AC appliances being on the same or opposing leg/phase.

Most important consideration may be protecting your components from bi-directional digital noise induced through the AC lines by cdps, DACs, computers, digital amps, etc.. This digital noise will make its way back from the source to the service panel and then into your dedicated lines. The only way I know to treat this is proper line conditioning that includes bi-directional filtering (which also keeps digital noise from going back into the wall and inducing sonic harm elsewhere).

-IMO
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