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Dedicated Power Lines

Been thinking about running dedicated Romex circuits from my circuit breaker box for my rig. No . . . I decline paying for specialty wire, Romex will do. The question is how many discreet lines and the amp capability of each line. I'm still trying to figure out how to do the installation in accordance with Code, without tearing my finished basement apart. For that, I'll consult a licensed electrician.

My rig consists of the following gear: (1) self powered sub that is rated at 1500 "Class D" watts; 4500 watts on a surge; (2) ARC tube CDP; (3) ARC tube line stage; (4) ARC tube power amp rated at 120 wpc - supposedly draws 700-800 watts when driven hard; (5) ARC tube phono pre; and VPI TT. I have a large screen plasma TV and a DVD player. I think that stuff can run off the house circuits.

Right now, everything I just listed is sucking juice off the same line. I gotta believe no good is coming from that set-up. Funny story -- one day my kid was playing Rosetta. I think it's a band that plays music, or at least that what my kid says. Tons of bass. When the band kicked into "low gear," first the basement lights dimmed, then the circuit breaker tripped.

Oh, my house is tied into the utility lines with a 100 amp service. If I change that out, that's the next project. But not right now. Other than Rosetta, no other power delivery problems noted.

Thanks
bifwynne
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,615 posts
 
Indeed run all you lines on the same phase otherwise you can easily get a ground loop. In my listening room I have 2 sets of 3 dedicated lines 3 on one leg 3 on the other, one group is for the SS system the other for the tubed system.

Good Listening

Peter
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Any suggestions on the gauge, e.g., 12 gauge for 15-20 amps (??) 10 gauge for 30 amps. Would it be a good or bad idea to feed the tube amp and self powered D class sub woofer on the same 10 gauge - 30 amp line? I recall that some folks may have advised to keep the CDP (digital device) on its own line, 15 to 20 amp line should more than enough? Can I hook the TT into the same line with the CDP? This is the type of advice I'm looking for. Thanks
lak's avatar
lak
4,724 posts
 
I ran 30 amp sub box from my main panel using six gauge wire.
10 gauge wire for all of my dedicated lines and used 20 amp circuit breakers.
Digital should be on a dedicated line all by itself.
Just a suggestion but amp by itself, preamp and TT could be on the same line.
One line for the self powered sub.
Would not hurt to throw in one extra dedicated line while you are doing all that work to have just incase you want it, or to experiment with.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
dedicated line per each channel/component.
minorl
1,018 posts
 
You won't get a ground loop by running lines on opposite circuits from the panel. The ground is the same. Most, if not all qualified electricians will calculate the load of the circuits and split them at the panel to keep the house loads approximately equal so as to not overload one side. Based on your equipment listing, I would recommend three separate indepent circuits. I have mentioned this many times. 1) for all of your low level electronics, DAC, CD Transport, music server, pre-amp, phono stage, TT, tuner plugged into the same power conditioner and into one circuit. 2) stereo amp into it's own circuit, if you want eventually two mono amps, then run another circuit for good measure. 3) separate circuit for all of your home theater equipment also plugged into a separate power condition or outlet box. So, if you may have two mono amps, then one circuit for each amp, one circuit for all the low level audio electronics and one circuit for all your home theater electronics, each to an independent circuit back to the panel. Split the loads equally at the panel. Do not! put all of the load on one side of the panel circuit. this is a basic violation or electrical rules and will not prevent ground loops. Ground loops are caused by something all together different. if you have a raised foundation, it is relatively easy to run new circuits. If you have an attic, it is also relatively easy. However, a good qualified electrician can do wonders. Also, it is really not expensive to run indendent circuits. Plan carefully where your equipment will be situated before installing the outlets.

enjoy
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