2. misc-audio
  3. 182877-120426

Dedicated power circuits

I’m having some electrical work done including a whole house

generator, surge suppressor, and a new panel box. I am also going to have two dedicated power lines run for my stereo. I’ve read a lot on here about how this is a really nice upgrade and would greatly appreciate any advice to help me along on my project. Right now the plan is two 20 amp circuits with 10 gauge wire. One for my amp and one for my preamp and sources. My equipment is a McIntosh MC 452, a C47 right now but a C22 in the future, Rega P8, Rose hifi 150b,  McIntosh MR 74 tuner and Aerial 7t speakers. I’m also replacing my panel box with a new one. It’s a brand from a company that’s out of business and the quality and safety is suspect plus there are no new breakers available.

 

So starting with the breakers, then the wire and finally the receptacles what should I be looking for? The electrician that just left here is planning on the new panel being a Cutler Hammer brand. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

gphill

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,564 posts
 

PS - Most linear amplifiers use power supplies which are filtered but not regulated. That is, the DC voltage at the power rails is at the mercy of the incoming voltage. A long term change in the incoming VAC will be proportionately reflected in the VDC at the rails.

All the low voltage gear (DAC, preamp, streamer, tuner, etc.) however is always filtered and regulated. A wide difference in the incoming VAC won’t affect the voltage that feeds the circuitry.

erik_squires
16,564 posts
 

Grrrr.  Should have written common mode noise.

erik_squires
16,564 posts
 

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

One interesting article I read a long time ago suggested that a significant benefit of armored cable in general, including bare-armored-ground (BAG), was that lightning surges were carried better by the armor than the ground conductor inside due to actual skin-effect issues with high frequency strikes.  The armor seems to have performed as a very low inductance path. Can't say I noticed a big improvement in noise when I used it though.

erik_squires
16,564 posts
 

If you have a Federal or anything with a stab-lock breaker you 100% need to get rid of them!

CH, Siemens and Square D all make solid equipment.  I have a couple of notes for you:

  • I prefer the whole house surge protectors that sit on the panel like a breaker.  They have less wiring and therefore better chances of working with faster surges.
  • All whole house surge protectors and the NEC recommend that you use individual surge protectors on sensitive electronics IN ADDITION to the whole house units.
  • Remember your home outlets must be tamper resistant too. Several boutique, cryo, blah blah outlets are not.
  • Use Furman surge protectors with SMP/LiFT to protect your gear.
  • Use a hospital grade Ethernet isolator to protect your network.
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