Dedicated lines - essential steps

[WATChad]

I watched the PS Audio video around dedicated lines a few months ago and have somebody coming out to take a look in about a week. I have an old house…130 years old. I’m planning to soon become very educated on the electric make up and possibilities. Anyway, from the video I learned that 10AWG and 20-30 amps is a good goal for this project. I’m hiriing a professional to keep me honest and within codes et cetera, but thought I’d throw this out there to make sure I do it right and hopefully learn from others experiences.

The dedicated port will feed my trusty P12 and a new P3. Thanks for chiming in and respecting the fact that I’m acknowledging some ignorance around the topic (i.e. I’m no EE, but am educated), and just want to learn about the most important aspects of the project from a non-diy point of view. Cheers!

[Serhan]

Hi,
Congratulations. A brave step for a character house.
I am no expert, but you could check these threads. Best wishes.

Running dedicated power lines - need advice

Need advice on my issue guys… electricians laid one metal conduit but I learned just recently that he plan to use the metal conduit as common ground. I was planning to put in 3 dedicated 10 gauge circuit, but there isn’t enough space in the conduit for individual dedicated ground cables. Couple questions: first: Is dedicated ground the desire here? or this would increase potential for ground loop. second: Is it OK to run 12 gauge ground with 10 gauge wires? What are my options? Assuming …

20 Amp Circuit Design Basics

I did not give any thought to the circuit breaker in my dedicated 20 amp circuit. Sorry, I can’t tell you with even the model name, as I haven’t received my detailed installation bill. My 2 concerns relative to the breaker are that I had it installed in the main panel and the ground was run uncut to the receptacle. I am happy with the sonic results; however, I had no noise, hum on the old circuit. I would like to know what Ted recommends.

Problem with new 20-amp dedicated circuits using PS Audio Power Port Premier receptacles

On Wednesday I had an electrician in whom I have great confidence install two new dedicated 20-amp circuits for use with Perreaux mono blocks when I move them to a new location in my exercise-area system. Both circuits originate from the main panel for the house. To test them, I plugged in the amp that I am now using in the exercise area. In each of the new circuits this produced a fairly loud hum from the amp. At the same time, I also had the electrician install another new dedicated 20-amp c…

[brett66]

Stick with 20 amp breaker and outlet. Running a 30 amp breaker and a 15 or 20a outlet is not to code, anywhere.

10awg or even 8awg is the key to better sound/lower impedance.

I would have the electrician make sure the house ground is solid. Cleaning and seal the interface between the ground rod and wire. Adding a 2nd grounding rod to the existing rod 6’ away is a good idea if practical too. Do not create a separate ground. The goal is to improve the 100+ year old one.

[WATChad]

Fantastic. Thanks to you both.

[Barsley]

The electrician in your area will know the local code that has to met in your area. I agree that using #10 is a good choice, but don’t confuse grounding with bonding.

Article 250.54 of the 2008 NEC specifically prohibits the use of isolated ground rods, or earthing, as the sole means of equipment grounding, although some have used other sections of the NEC to justify this practice. The “NEC Handbook” provides the following commentary associated with Art. 250.6 (Objectionable Currents)

StackPath

[brett66]

I’ve edited my post to be clear to not create a 2nd ground (earthing), rather add to and the improve the existing 100+ year old earthing.

[Vmax]

Follow advice in here. Also tighten every connection in main panel either new new or old even if not the dedicated audio. I just put in four new breakers and lines. Difference after retightening of everything not just dedicated circuits in main panel is considerable and measurable by a P20 in distortion and output voltage into the regenerator. ELECTRICAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS OVERVIEW | Galen Carol Audio | Galen Carol Audio

[waymanchen11]

How secure the connection is can be disastrous to your equipment. I’ve seen light bulbs blowing up and things burning out that is plugged into one side of a balanced 120v circuit when the neutral cable from the main 240v electrical panel got so corroded it lost contact because it was aluminum into a copper bus. You are supposed to apply anti-corrosion grease to dissimilar metal contacts because of the chemical reaction it causes. The lost of the neutral send 240v through the circuits!!

[WATChad]

I just had a shop come out and request $45 for the call, $150 for diagnostics, and they wanted $3300 for three dedicated lines and the work around it. When I asked for the results of the diagnostics, the business went south fast and they split. Really touchy when asking for the results of the diagnostics that they wanted $150 for!

[WATChad]

Does anybody happen to know “a guy” on the Front Range here in Colorado?

[vee]

I found my “guy” via referrals on Nextdoor. Yelp, Angie’s List, etc. are filled with referral services.

[nortonkp]

If your house is newer, you could check with the electrician the builder originally used. Have done this 3 times and have gotten a good deal each time.

[WATChad]

Older than hell. 130 years!

[vee]

@nortonkp

electrician the builder originally used

He dead.