Self Medicating > General DIY
Dedicated subpanel
shrinkmore:
Well, here's what I decided:
I knew hard wiring was a code violation, and decided because of this, as well as to have the opportunity to swap out power cords, that I would use outlets, and I'm going with Oyaide. I didn't want to be left holding a power cord without a plug when I might decide to swap out, which would be hard to do with hard-wired stuff. In any case, from the subpanel, fed by a 6 guage dedicated line, I'll be running 5 dedicated 10 guage solid core lines (Romex) to 5 duplex outlets. One for each component, other than my two digital components, SACD-1 and Monarch M-24 DAC doubled up on one duplex. I'm lookin' forward to my Black Sand PC's!!!
Surely do thank you for your help.
Double Ugly:
--- Quote from: "shrinkmore" ---I'm lookin' forward to my Black Sand PC's!!!
--- End quote ---
As well you should! BSC PCs turned out to be one of the biggest audio-related surprises I've had in quite some time.
Be sure and let us know what you think after you've had them in your system a week or two.
-Jim
Christof:
--- Quote from: "shrinkmore" ---I have in a previous home and am in the next couple of weeks, installing a subpanel with 6 dedicated lines, one for each component. In this new installation, I will be using 6 audiophile AC cord lines, hardwiring them into the subpanel, each with a dedicated breaker. Each line will have an IEC (female component plug) for each component, just like a typical plug-in AC cord. I am wondering if anyone has a definitive answer to: 1) the gains and losses of such a set-up and 2) the risks and benefits of a dedicated ground for the subpanel, i.e., each ground wire from the AC cords will go to a dedicated copper wire that runs to a dedicated grounding rod. There is already a grounding rod coming off the main panel.
Thanks for looking,
Doug
--- End quote ---
Is your electrical run in pipe? I just updated a building and local code requred everything to be run in pipe thus I have a common ground with everything :? The only thing I could do is have the electrician give me three isolated ground outlets. I also requested that any circuit which would host anything with a motor or possible dimmer be located on one buss bar and my audio/computer alone on the other buss bar.
c.
shrinkmore:
My subpanel is installed and man what a huge difference :D . I cannot emphasize what anyone without a dedicated subpanel is missing in terms of sonic improvement. Your system will go to a whole new level, levels above what you currently have. I realize that before, my components were choking on the power they were receiving, and now, they have plenty. I have nothing to gain and am not selling anything. This tweak, albeit, relatively big for a tweak, is so inexpensive compared to anything else that you could do to get such an improvement that it just makes sense. Give it a try, you will not be sorry. I will be happy to give detailed specs on the general wiring. This is my second subpanel that I have installed, and running a separate line and outlet for each component, with 2 digital components sharing an outlet, seems to have made a bigger improvement.
richidoo:
Sorry this is late, I am trying to catch up reading nervosa posts. Don't worry I won't reply to every one of them... :wink:
I did a lot of research on grounding recently to make an aerial antenna safe from lightning. I am not an electrician nor an expert, so your information may eclipse mine by a long shot...
As I understand, Bryan is right about code "discrepancies". If you have a 2nd ground rod it must be bonded back to the original main panel ground rod. If an electrician installed the 2nd rod, he should have done it to get his permit signed off. If lightning strikes it will hit only one ground system first, and whichever gets hit first you will have many kV potential across the resistance between the two panels and their separate grounds causing hundreds of amps to flow, frying everything in the path and melting wire insulation in the walls! The biggest thing I learned about grounding was to bond all ground rods together with copper that can handle 10,000A for a few milliseconds. NEC requires this. If your house burned down from a strike and fire inspector saw that 2nd rod with no bond, you would be kinda sad about what the insurance company would say. :cry: If you sell the house without disclosing non code wiring and it burns down you still pay! I am trying not to sound too serious, but maybe I am not succeeding!
Less important but also codeworthy, if your high end AC power cords go into the wall before connecting to the subpanel, they have to be approved for inwall use, like romex is. Maybe if it is run inside grounded metal conduit inside the walls you would be OK. I dunno. This is more to insure the insulation can adequately protect the conductors from shorting if wet or nail or overcurrent gets in there. Maybe years after you move away and new owner turns your audio room into a spa with a heated jaccuzzi. haha
If you find that binding grounds together add noise/hum, you could have a loop. Often it is not the power that is looped, but the signal wires. Jensen and others make 1:1 signal transformers to lift ground loops. They are pretty transparent to the signal, IMO. This won't affect your improved power response, but will cure any ground loops that might popup if you add a grounding bond. I know it is not the audiophile way. The alternative is to unplug everything in a storm and never ever forget.
I have similar positive experience with separate circuit, even though I have only one main panel. A 15A switched outlet shared with a lighting circuit is next to a dedicated 20 amp circuit. Moving the amp's plug from one to the other gives a nice improvement. 20amp circuits will have heavier gage wire inwall, which I think is a lot of the reason for the improvement, 2x more copper in the conductor lowers resistance a lot.
I have always thought that running 12ga romex from breaker to component with IEC connector on the end would be interesting to hear compared to outlet and plug. I still don't understand why the last few feet of wire in a different flavor trumps 50 feet of romex in same circuit, but I accept on faith until I learn. I think plug and outlet and wire ga. are more important to lowering resistance than the already low resistance of any decent wire.
Sorry for the wet towel about the grounding, Doug. Maybe check it out just to be safe! I have some links for parts to bond it yourself if you need it.
Rich
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version