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
How is this different than people who plug into multiple plugs which are in different phases of their breaker box? Most people do not know what phase every plug is in their house nor do they go to the trouble to figure it out.

The sound is great from the isolators.
Jea. Why not test them independently?
06-17-13: Ptss
Ptss,

Test what independently?
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Ptss,

I assume that was done before the three new separately derived grounded AC power systems were put into service.

*Check unloaded voltage.
*Check Hot to ground to verify the neutral is grounded.
*Check for AC polarity at load receptacles.
*Connect load/s and check voltage again.

The test I suggested, in my post of 06-14-13, is to find if the three xfmrs outputs are in phase or out of phase with one another.

The same test used to make sure multiple dedicated branch circuits are fed from the same Line, leg, from the electrical panel.
An accepted norm where audio equipment is connected together by ICs.
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Split Single Phase electrical service is most commonly found in residences and smaller commercial buildings,
and is commonly used to feed AV equipment. One key advantage that single phase has over three phase
is that while harmonic currents are still present, it is not possible for the “triplen” components to add in the
neutral. In addition, use of split single phase can result in at least a 6dB reduction in noise floor as compared
to three phase if the capacitances of the connected equipment are relatively well balanced. However, any
leakage currents on the safety ground wires of split single phase load circuits fed by different phase legs will
add together due to the 240V potential difference.
http://www.exactpower.com/elite/assets/pdfs/theTRUTH.pdf
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Jim