To make it crystal clear

Posted by: Mick P on 25 April 2001

Chaps

I want to install a dedicated spur and also it appears that spiked earthing (whatever that is) is also recommended.

I intend to ask a few electrictians to quote for doing this job and to prevent myself from looking like a total idiot, I want to be able to issue them with a reasonable specification of work.

Have I got this right.

The work required is :-

1. Connect a cable (cooker type) from fuse box, to wall next to HiFi system.

2. Ensure that the socker is either MK or Crabtree and is without on/off switch or red light.

3. Is a double socket OK

4. Now I get confused...The electricion will ram a 3 ft long copper rod into the ground and connect it to the newly installed socket.

Could someone tell me if this is right because I have a couple of electricians coming around soon to quote.

Many thanks

Mick

Posted on: 05 May 2001 by Martin Payne
Mick,

twin runs of 10sq.mm cable will not fit in your sockets.

Advice conflicts about whether a ring (double cables) or spur (single cables) is better.

However, if you need to install more than one socket (single or double) you will need to get two pieces of cable into the sockets, or arrange a starring arrangement.

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 06 May 2001 by Mick P
Chaps

I have a 6 way Musicworks socket so that fires up my six black boxes and can come from one socket.

I intend to have a single strand of cable going into one double socket. Thats enough for me because I have two double sockets in the wall anyway.

So the question is.....will a single strand of 10mm fit into a MK double socket.

Many thanks

Mick

Posted on: 06 May 2001 by Martin Payne
10sq.mm cable will go into the MK socket.

I found I needed a deep pattress (box behind the faceplate) to cope with the thick cable.

BTW, if you're trying to go 'non-ferous' then question whether your 'Leccy can use a non-metal pattress.

I presume that steel is standard if the pattress is to be sunk into the wall so that the socket is flush with the wall. Otherwise he will probably use plastic anyway.

BTW, don't Audio-Counsel (sp?) supply special sockets which augment the performance of the MusicWorks block? They might also be able to give you some specific advice concerning the installation???

cheers, Martin

[This message was edited by Martin Payne on SUNDAY 06 May 2001 at 11:28.]

Posted on: 18 May 2001 by Mick P
Chaps

The electrician has done it.

He came in at 1.30pm and finished at 3.30pm and the power was off for most of that time.

As well as connecting up the dedicated spur (I routed the cable) he also updated my 22 yr old fuse box with new trip style fuses.

The system comprises of 18 meters of 6mm cooker cable as well as a separate 6mm ground earth cable. One twin socket, no neon lights or switches. The dedicated spur has its own 30amp cartridge fuse.

The total cost of the dedicated spur has probably been around £90.00.

The system was off for 2 hours and has now been on for about 45 minutes so there is some improvement to go.

So how does it sound........answer ...much more sharp, much deeper base and blacker. Jo Sharp came to listen to my system a couple of weeks ago and reckoned the base from my SBL's should be deeper. Well its deeper now.

This is one tweak I would recommend especially if you have a computer/fridges/freezers in the house.

I intend to have an enjoyable evening listening to music tonight.

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 20 May 2001 by Mick P
Chaps

I have just been using my system 50 hours after the electrician switched everything back on so now is a reasonable time to assess the impact of fitting the dedicated spur.

I will not waffle on......the base is certainly sharper and the background is quieter, I have a Musicworks 6 way block already fitted and it still improved things.

This is a relatively low cost upgrade and is well worth doing. Wish I done it years ago.

I suggest you get it done.

Regards

Mick