A few months ago, I put in four 20 amp dedicated outlets in addition to the one I had put in years ago. I used 12AWG NMSC (Romex) and Hospital Grade outlets. II have access to Electrical Engineers and Master Electricians. When I discussed materials and installations related issues, the best advise I received was “Do it per Code and keep it simple”. I didn’t get a permit but if your electrical knowledge is limited, I highly recommend it. BTW: I am a retired Building Inspector.
Are hospital-grade outlets Code compliant for residential use? Do they have the safety features required (the little blocking tabs so kids can't get to the power?)
They are code compliant here (Oregon), but we don't have the tab blockie things as a requirement. Basically they grip tighter than a standard outlet and are otherwise identical to the others at Home Depot, etc..
I think I've made it all the way through this thread, I now have a couple of comments and a question for the collective:
First, the comments. Installing a dedicated line inside the house (i.e., running a new circuit). At worst, you're putting a couple of circuit breakers and some distance between your audio system and any noisy devices or switches running on other circuits on the same phase. I don't know that circuit breakers claim to have any line noise reduction capabilities, so from a line noise perspective I'd question the effectiveness of this. At best, you can put all of your audio stuff on circuits on one phase, and everything else on the other phase, but you're still dealing with noise generated from 220 volt devices, and even noisy devices on the other phase are still going to have some effect on the shared neutral line. So perhaps better, but still not perfect.
Now the question. There are devices you can buy that you install in your breaker box, upstream of all of the breakers, that monitor usage inside the home. These devices can detect power changes on the circuit side of the breakers to a degree of accuracy that they can often determine what specifically is being turned on or off. Any thoughts from the collective regarding how effective noise isolation can be on various circuits if power monitoring devices such as these can be so accurate while looking at devices on the other side of all of the circuit breakers?
I've read that the electric company can also perform some level of appliance usage modeling as well. I'm not sure if they're doing this from a substation across transformers, or via a smart meter, but I know they're doing it. Most likely via smart meters, but I also remember that they were catching pot growers by determining power usage profiles of lots of fluorescent light bulbs, and this was before the days of smart meters.
bs
A dedicated circuit will not isolate the devices on that circuit from noise. Circuit breakers are effectively switches that open under the conditions they are designed for as a protective feature. To get rid of line noise you will need some sort of power conditioning. If the power supplies in your equipment are well designed and in spec the typical noise in most homes won't be a problem and will be taken care of by the combination of voltage regulation and filter caps.
A dedicated circuit will not isolate the devices on that circuit from noise. Circuit breakers are effectively switches that open under the conditions they are designed for as a protective feature. To get rid of line noise you will need some sort of power conditioning. If the power supplies in your equipment are well designed and in spec the typical noise in most homes won't be a problem and will be taken care of by the combination of voltage regulation and filter caps.
collective regarding how effective noise isolation can be on various circuits if power monitoring devices such as these can be so accurate while looking at devices on the other side of all of the circuit
I've read that the electric company can also perform some level of appliance usage modeling as well. I'm not sure if they're doing this from a substation across transformers, or via a smart meter, but I know they're doing it. Most likely via smart meters, but I also remember that they were catching pot growers by determining power usage profiles of lots of fluorescent light bulbs, and this was before the days of smart meters.
bs
I just finished my dedicated line. 10 gauge from the breaker to the duplex. Nothing in between. Very tight connections.
The way it was before, there were about 10 daisy chained outlets and lights...all 14 gauge.
No scientific testing, but I feel like my system is better off. I am not going to say night and day difference, but I will say that it sounds better to me and it seems more efficient....as in it is louder with the volume knob in the same spot as before. I can AB this by moving the power plug into the outlet I used to use. I am not the only one to notice an improvement.
I highly recommend doing this.
Sounds fuller, more bass....not sure that overall volume is the best way to describe it. It's a 15 amp circuit, 14 gauge, lots of loads and daisychained recepticals, the biggest of which is a dehumidifier.I'd think that would have to be a really big change to screw with the volume that much, since doubling or halving power is 3dB and that's a pretty small change in perceived SPL.
I'd think a voltage test or load droop test would easily reveal something of that magnitude.