New electrical wiring specifications

To live a happy life, electricity has to be understood and treated with respect. Just like your wife.

 

EDIT to my above post.

For some reason #4 Web link no longer works

4) 120Hz buzz   (Make sure volume is turned down first)

Here is the Link. (Turn down your volume first.)

120 Hz Ground Hum SOUND

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I found a spool of 125 feet of 8-gauge on C/L so rewired the house with a dedicated 20 amp breaker just for the entertainment center.

The plug in the entertainment center is a locking 20/30 amp piece that feeds an industrial surge protector.  Outside of the entertainment center there are two high grade, 20 amp hospital plugs for my tube amp and any other aux equipment I may want to use/try. 

The line runs continuous, first to the 30 amp plug, then the hospital plugs with NO SPLICES anywhere.  There is also a big ferrite bead where the wire comes out of the electrical panel.

I noted a difference on my Yamaha SACD in that it cleaned up some of the "grunge" whereas I didn’t really notice a difference on my Oppo-95, which has a better power supply.

 

@digitaljoseph Wrote:

I have installed a new electrical panel and am going to run 3 dedicated circuits to my audio wall. (40 feet).  2 monoblocks and other components Would like recommendations as to specifications for the electrician as to wire size and type, grounding, receptacles , etc etc etc.   thanks

Dedicated audio lines I would go with Type MC Galvanized Steel Metal Clad Cable 10/2 with insulated ground. It has better EMI and EF shielding versus Non Metallic cable. Receptacles Hubbell see here. 

For what it’s worth category, I would run four dedicated branch circuits for audio only. One for each mono amp, one for analog and one for digital.

Mike

@ditusa Said:

Dedicated audio lines I would go with Type MC Galvanized Steel Metal Clad Cable 10/2 with insulated ground. It has better EMI and EF shielding versus Non Metallic cable

I agree on the use of MC (Metal Clad) armored cable. I’m just not a fan of the galvanized steel armored MC cable. I personally would use aluminum  armored  MC cable. 

From my listening experience, as well from that of other audiophiles, galvanized ferrous magnetic steel can add grain as well slightly restrict the openness, air, of the musical presentation.  

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Metal Clad (MC) is manufactured in both steel and aluminum with twisted conductors that help reduce AC magnetic fields. Although the steel jacket helps reduce AC magnetic fields, the twisting of conductors has the greatest effect on reducing these fields.

Another benefit is the constant symmetry of the phase conductors with respect to the grounding conductor which greatly reduces voltage induction on the grounding wire.

The highlighted text is of the greatest importance.

Though NM sheathed cable, (Romex), is good and widely used, I think 2 wire with insulated ground MC cable is better. (Solid copper wire.)

 

To all that may be reading this post, MC armored cable. NOT AC / BX armored cable. Make sure the Electrician buys and installs MC cable.

Example of MC cable: (For purposes of showing the three insulated conductors are twisted together. I am NOT recommending the manufacturer.)

2 conductor with insulated ground MC armored cable  

Note the photo shows solid copper conductors. Ad is for stranded. 

For audio branch circuit wiring solid copper conductors is recommended.

Southwire is a very good cable manufacturer

FYI, though Anti Short bushings are not required by NEC code for MC cable, I highly recommend you tell the electrician you want them installed anyway. If if he says you don’t need them. Tell him, you want them anyway. They are cheap and it will take the electrician about 15 seconds to install one. 

Example:

Pretty simple to install.

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*** AC / BX Armored Cable ***

Make 100% sure the electrician installs MC and not AC / BX armored cable. Big difference between the two.

Southwire Armorlite 125-ft 10 / 2 Solid Aluminum BX/AC Armored Cable

Look closely at the picture of the section of the cable. Note the two insulated copper Line conductors and the bare 16awg aluminum safety equipment grounding/bonding conductor.

 Southwire Website 

10/2 AWG THHN/THWN Insulated Singles Wrapped in moisture-Resistant, Flame-Retardant Paper. 16 AWG Aluminum Bond  Wire. UL Listed. 600 Volts. Rated VW-1. Lightweight Aluminum Interlocked Armor.

"An armor assembly (combination of the interlocked armor & bonding strip) that is recognized as an equipment grounding/bonding conductor per NEC 250.118(8)."

You don’t want this...

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