Dedicated AC line
Robert Harley -- Thu, 06/22/2006 - 15:15
I am seriously considering adding a dedicated electrical circuit for multi-channel audio system (upstairs) and possibly another for my home theatre system (downstairs) in my detached single family home.
1 As the systems are in two different rooms, do I need two separate lines?
2 If I need two separate lines, are there any issues with having multiple dedicated lines (other than cost)?
3 What specific instructions should I provide to the electrician installing the lines (amps, specific grounding issues, etc.)?
4 Any thoughts on the perceived "bang for the buck" of dedicated electrical lines vs power conditioners/regenerators (MonsterPower, Shunyata Hydra, PS Audio Power Plants etc.).
Have you considered a group review of power conditioning products as you have done with audio cables?
By the way, I like the current mix of "high end" vs "affordable" components. Keep up the good work!
Scott
I would add separate dedicated lines for each of your two systems. There are no issues with having separate dedicated lines. In fact, I have in my listening room one dedicated line for the source components and one for each power amplifier (total of three). My lines are 20-amp, which is sufficient unless you are using very high-wattage power amplifiers driving low-sensitivity speakers. I have not compared dedicated lines to non-dedicated lines (I built the house with the dedicated lines as part of the electrical plan), but those who have converted have reported a significant improvement. You still need an AC conditioner in your system to prevent noise from getting into your components from the outside world, as well as to prevent noise in one component from getting into other components with the AC connection providing the path for the noise.
Best regards,
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision
I should have added that I also had the electrician install an isolated ground to my listening room. The ground in the room's AC outlets are not connected to the rest of the house, but to a copper rod pounded into the earth just outside the listening room.
In extremely elaborate installations, they dig out a large hole for the grounding rod and fill with with an electrolytic slurry before inserting the rod. This provides a better path for ground than simply pounding the copper rod into the dirt.
Robert Harley
Dear Scott
If you instruct the electrician tell him to install the wires as ONE lead only from beginning to the end. One of the biggest problems in mains installations (for audio) are those cross connections which corrode in time.
Installing an own earth in the garden is a good thing, the earth from the mains is polluted and introduces low level noise. If you're using earth only connect it with one piece of your equipment otherwise you might create an "earth loop".
No earthing at all might be a better thing (if the amps have a good filtered power supply).
Music is an emotional experience. Without it, living would be a dull habit...
I spoke with my local building & zoning department about adding a supplemental ground. They told me that's allowed as long as the new ground is connected to the "first disconnect point". In my case that's the electric panel which has a 200 amp circuit breaker disconnect.
Based on the information I received from building & zoning I don't think a completely separate ground for your audio system that doesn't connect as described above would be allowed here.
Len
lwhitefl wrote:Based on the information I received from building & zoning I don't think a completely separate ground for your audio system that doesn't connect as described above would be allowed here.
Just as well given that an actual earth ground has no relevance whatsoever to your audio system.
All a separate earth ground would do is reduce the effectiveness of the safety ground. The safety ground, i.e. the "third pin" has only one purpose and that's to provide a low impedance path back to neural at the service panel in the event that a failure of the hot lead makes contact with the equipment chassis.
Using a separate earth ground will only increase the impedance between your equipment chassis and the neutral line at the service panel and if high enough, can prevent sufficient fault current to flow in order to trip the breaker, leaving the chassis with potentially lethal voltage on it.
se
I have two dedicated lines in my audio room, both connected to twenty amp breakers. I also have a small refrigerator in the room connected to another line. But, when the condenser cycles and it turns off I get a pop through my system that is most annoying. Other than removing the fridge my room what can I do to dampen/eliminate the noise.
Sweat, persistence, and endless attention to detail.
TXGiant wrote:I have two dedicated lines in my audio room, both connected to twenty amp breakers. I also have a small refrigerator in the room connected to another line. But, when the condenser cycles and it turns off I get a pop through my system that is most annoying. Other than removing the fridge my room what can I do to dampen/eliminate the noise.
Just put a capacito on your fridges outlet so it would not pop the rest of your system besides it could potentially damage your speakers if nothing else (it could damage other components as well).
Also an AC power filter will kill that pop and regularize the voltage peak you're having there the Running Springs Audio comes to mind, hty are resonably priced compared to present company, it will not kill your dynamics but will better the whole experience also.
Good luck
I hope this helps;
God Bless!;
Gonzalo
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