Grouding for dedicatied lines?

If you tell a qualified electrician to run a "DEDICATED" circuit with "ISOLATED" ground to each receptacle, what you will have is the following: A separate Hot, neutral, and ground wire from the receptacle back to your panel. The ground wires will be electrically isolated from any other ground or neutral wires in your system.

To be "DEDICATED" each receptacle would be on a separate circuit breaker (or fuse). Normally, the neutral and ground would be landed on the same neutral bar in your panel, and from there a main ground conductor would run to your main house grounding point. Usually a ground rod driven into undisturbed earth).

To be truly "ISOLATED", a separate grounding bar which is electrically isolated from the electric panel enclosure is installed in the electric panel. The main ground wire from your main grounding electrode (rod) would be attached to this bar, and all the circuit ground wires would be attached to this "ISOLATED ground bar" If your system is old, this may be difficult thing to do.

However, a separate ground (not isolated) from each receptacle back to the panel will likely suffice for your needs. Occasionally, the separate grounds are taken all the way back to the main grounding point, but if this is not done correctly, and a ground wire becomes loose and somehow creates another path to ground, the results could be dangerous. This is also true of any gound conductor, anywhere in the system.

Bottom line: If you consult with a qualified electrician, and tell him exactly what you are wanting, he/she should be able to provide a code approved installation.

Hope this helps.

Addendum to my previous post, please note: It is necessary that ALL ground wires are ultimately grounded at one, and only one, main grounding electrode. Due to the difference in electrical potiential of the two grounding points, failure to do this could result in damaged equipment, or even electrocution. This is a code required life safety issue!

Thanks Metaphysics, for helping me make that point again. It seems some (well meaning no doubt) audiophiles just do not have a good understanding of the dangers involved with multiple grounding points. And as you've stated (and I as well), it is against National Electrical Code to do so.

DIYer's beware, your quest for better sound could cost you more than a few bucks. BTW, for reference, I am a licensed electrician and commercial contractor.

I just don't want to see anyone fry their gear, or themselves!

I don't really think that BX, AC, MC cables, or conduit are probably any better than romex of reasonable gauge wire. #12 or #10 should be sufficient for most applications. Especially since the terminals for a 20 amp duplex receptacle are not designed to accept a conductor larger than #10. However, when entering the galaxy of the audiophile, anything is possible--as long as it is safe.

I don't really understand your comments about circuits being placed ahead of the "main". It must be a different definition of the word than what is common in the electrical industry. Nothing should be tapped ahead of the main circuit breaker (or fuse), unless it has its own main circ. breaker (or fuse) within the code approved distance per the tap rule. I am sure I am not discussing the same situation you are refering to.

I am not an expert on star grounding, but I believe it is a method of grounding electronic systems--audio, video, computers, etc.--that begins at one point in the system, and branches out to each piece of equipment in a star configuration. It can be very technical, and I am not well versed in its design criteria. However, I do know that the grounding point at where the "star" begins is itself grounded to the main grounding electrode (or mat in larger systems).

I hope this helps.

Alexander,
After re-reading your post, I think I totally misunderstood.

You must be refering to balancing the load by placing mono-blocks on opposite phases (A or B) of a 120/240volt system.

I don't really know about an improvement in sound--I've never owned mono-blocks! ;?)