Dedicated power circuits

@gphill Wrote:

 Any special wire from the breaker box to the outlets? 

For dedicated audio lines I would go with Type MC Galvanized Steel Metal Clad Cable 10 AWG. It has better EMI and EF shielding versus aluminum armor. FWIW, I have four dedicated lines for audio, one for each monoblock amp, one for analog and one for digital. 😎

Here is a good article on the subject. See below:

Mike

https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://wirexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/MidAtlantic-White-Paper.pdf

@lowrider57 Wrote:

@ditusa

Please explain why MC Galvanized Steel Metal Clad Cable. A metal conduit is not required to meet code in this situation. And cost will be higher than Romex 10/2.

The MC Galvanized Steel Metal Clad cable provides better shielding versus 10/2 Romex, in my opinion the benefits outweigh the extra cost of the MC which is minimal. The advantage of MC cable is low line noise and reduced antenna effect on AC dedicated branch circuits feeding your audio equipment. Also, I prefer to use metal boxes with MC cable, not plastic, they both meet code but if shielding is not important then the 10/2 Romex with plastic boxes will be more then adequate. I just try to get the most out of my audio system as I can with minimal cost. 😎 See MC cable below: Hope that helps

FWIW: Another reason for multiple circuits besides dedicated power see my previous post below:

ditusa

1,073 posts

12-20-2022 at 08:35pm

@jea48Wrote:

Probably the biggest reason for installing more than one Dedicated Branch Circuit is to decouple the power supplies of audio equipment from one another. Example digital source(s) equipment from analog equipment.

I agree!

That was one of the reasons I ran four 60’ runs of galvanized steel armored MC cable 10AWG. That’s four true dedicated branch circuits, one for each mono block amp, one for analog and one for digital. It helps to reduce noise on the AC lines, by reducing the amount of transformers and power supplies on each circuit. Also, the MC helps to reduce hashing noise EMI, and electric fields, on the dedicated branch circuits feeding your audio equipment. You don’t realize how much hashing noise is on the AC lines, until it’s reduced. No ground loop hum. No noise. System is dead quiet with ear against speaker horn, I have tube and SS amps. (The efficiency of my speakers is 2.7% sensitivity 96dB). 😎

Mike

@jea48 Wrote:

What I like about aluminum armored MC cable is the Hot, Neutral, and insulated EGC, conductors are twisted in a spiral twist and held firmly, tightly, together by the aluminum armor.

MC cable is manufactured in both steel and aluminum with twisted conductors that help reduce AC magnetic fields. Also, steel MC will help reduce EF. I am sure you know that. 😎

Mike

@erik_squires Wrote:

Agree with the idea that getting rid of differential noise is best done with an isolation transformer rather than relying on AC cable twists.

No offense, but I rely on Chubby Checker for doing the twist. LOL 😁

Mike

@gphill. Nice Leviton receptacle for audio only $5.61 each. See below:

Mike

https://www.emisupply.com/catalog/leviton-5362w-industrial-series-extra-heavy-duty-grade-duplex-receptacle-volt-p-20373.html

@minorl +1

it is not the end of the world, but, all lines on one leg is not accurate or necessary.

Make sure you have dedicated lines to the panel.  In other words, each hot, neutral and ground wire goes back to the panel directly and isn't shared by any other circuit.

I agree 100%!​​​​​​​

Mike

@kingrex,

Arthur Kelm said:

 . When I design a room, I try to place all electrical within steel conduit and twist the hot and neutral wires together to cut down on EMF fields.

See article below:

@gphill 👍

Mike

@kingrex Wrote:

I do not find the sine wave distortion from audio equipment PS to be problematic if you run dedicated line. That is partly why I strongly recommend multiple circuits. I do not like a single branch with the assumption it is ridding ground loops. PS to PS noise can become an issue on a single branch carrying all the equipment.

I completely agree! That was one of the reason why I ran four dedicated 20 amp branch circuits for audio and not one. 😎

Mike