Radial wiring

O.K. , I need 8 power points...so 4 radials X double sockets sounded good....

8 radials X single sockets, as you say, a bit extreme maybe....unless the improvement is that much better...

2 of the power points are for the UServe and Sonos Connect, these may live happily on the normal mains ring.......so could reduce to 6 radials X single sockets, or 3 X double sockets....

Have a good weekend

Thanks chaps, 

I think a chat with the Audioquest folks might be the way forward. The electrician returns next month and I haven't finalised what I want him to do. 

I could have second radial for the Unitiserve, NAS and the switch as they are close to the consumer unit, unlike the hi-fi.

Keith

This topic always interests me when it comes up. I have been using dedicated  radial(s) on my system at different properties since way back when.

For the last 10-15 years I have been using one of four radials for my Linn and one for my three x Naim boxes leaving two unused.

Any experience out there whether I would be better to have one radial for each of my three x Naim boxes or keep the current configuration?

Whilst I could try this config it would take some serious effort and checking by a qualified electrician so I am interested in your views.

They all run from a dedicated CU for the Hi-Fi with a separate earth and have been checked by a qualified electican.

Richard

Another question....

which sockets does everyone use on the end of their dedicated supplies? MK? Crabtree? 

MK.  The Crabtree ones are no more...

Having followed the arguments here I have to say that the best suggestion would appear to be individual radial circuits to single socket outlets for each or every outlet required, from a consumer unit separate from the general house one (or even one per new circuit!).  However, with this approach 10mm2 cable on a 7m run would seem to be a bit of  overkill given that nothing else could cause a voltage change while in use, though there would certainly be no harm in 10mm provided that the sockets can accomodate it. Whether this approach would result in any audible difference compared to a dedicated ring to a bank of sockets using just 6mm2 cable is a moot point, borne out by the lack of clear consensus of experiences here.

With regard to RFI, one suggestion on here was that two CUs somehow could cancel it out. IMHO that is rubbish, and nothing in the supply options so far discussed will prevent RFI, however by going as far back as possible, i.e. to the mains supply before the main CU, considering home-generated RFI, only that transmitted back through the main CU to the mains supply would get through. This is one of the two primary purposes of establishing a separate supply from the mains entry to the house, the other being to minimise changes in voltage due to other things switching on or off on the same circuit. Meanwhile other RFI will be carried in on the mains supply from external sources (domestic, industrial or transmission line derived). And that will be different for everyone except perhaps in adjacent identical houses, so everyone's experiences inevitably will be different.

Isn't this getting more into the realms of radical wiring? 

Indeed. Radial radicalism....

Personally I'm happy with a dedicated ring main supply to the lounge, which is the listening room, and which has very little else, if anything, on if I'm doing "serious" listening.

More good input.....Simon is quiet, I think this was the weekend of wiring in his radial circuit ?

It will be interesting to hear his findings....and if used multiple dedicated cable (4mm2, 6mm2 or 10mm2 ?) to multiple dedicated sockets (single or double ?), or just one cable and socket and a distribution block/s.....

Have a good weekend

Finkfan posted:

I shall be installing a dedicated supply for my system. I shall also be using 10mm cable. I'm inclined to spur further sockets from the first thereby keeping the same single earth path for all components. 

That's not a bad idea, but it's not possible to wire 10mm cable from one socket to another. It only just fits into one socket. It can be done using 6mm cable, although some say 6mm is a compromise on using 10mm, so the choice is yours.

An alternative is to run 2 x 10mm each to it's own double unswitched socket, and link these two double sockets together using some addition earth wire. The sockets will be earthed together at the CU busbar but i have the gut feeling an addition earth link on the sockets may benefit the naim star earthing.

What we could do with is a mega unswitched/unfused socket rank with 4, 6 or 8 plug points, and all with well engineered connections, busbars, and substantial 10mm cable clamp connection.

Debs