UltraFast69
New member
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- #1
Audio:
I wrote earlier about grounding results that were positive, however, turns out they were masking an underlying issue that needed to be addressed.
We previously added grounding rods to the sub panel, this was met with forum controversy, however, they were bonded between panels, and there was a significant improvement in the system sound. What we did not realize at the time was the grounding rods in the sub panel “A” became the primary grounds rods for the home, hence the improvement.
Somewhere along the way we believe various yard improvements, or shifting of earth due to rain or tree growth had dislodged the acorn(s) holding the copper cable to either one or both original rods supporting the main panel. OHM readings were all over the board, ranging between 80-300, not good.
So instead of digging up earth to find the original rods to the main panel and tye things back together, we went ahead called 811 to mark the property, then drove two 3/4” diameter (standard is 5/8”) copper ground rods down 9’4” (standard is 8’) into earth, separated by 18’ then strung 2 AWG (standard 6 AWG) copper to the main panel secured at the rods through a fusion process called CadWeld (common is an Acorn ring, bolt tight connection).
See the YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/_zGu_Dh6qOk
Once the main was hooked up and tested we seen 60-70 Ohms, still very high, then unhooked the grounding rods from the sub panel “A” and went back to meter measure at the rods and on the main panel, the OHM results dropped just above ZERO, reducing down to .03 - .08.
Now with the home back in order, now it was time to hear the results.
On the first day beginning with the reference system, there was a substantial reduction to an already low noise floor leading to more clarity and openness. Timbre of voice and instrument was more prevalent in the mid range and better definition on the low end with good clean tight bass.
The second day there was a slight ebb in sound from the first day but still overall at a higher starting point, and can only attribute the cable was settling, plus everything now was seeing the new ground and finding its way there.
I watched TV Wednesday and Thursday night - both days video was sharp as a tack and sound from AV gear was louder, cleaner and tighter.
When I got back to the audio, the results of this job is a system where I could easily fool myself saying there is a new component upgrade in service.
Regrounding the main panel and removing the sub panel “A” grounds drastically made listening improvements.
Just a few months prior we put in a second sub-panel, “B”. This replaced the sub panel “A” and now exclusively dedicated to Audio with branch circuits only for receptacles, no lights - it too was a significant game changer as the runs were now all Copper versus Aluminum in the previous sub panel.
Power only for Audio from Sub Panel adjacent to the music room:
Here is a flow path of the Electric Foundation Path from earth:
2 - 3/4” Copper rods buried 9’4” connected with 2 AWG Copper, CadWelded > Main Panel > From Main Panel Branch Circuit, 4 AWG Copper > Square D Sub Panel with Environmental Potential EP2050 > Sub Panel branch circuits using Furutech FP S55N 10 AWG cable (4) > Furutech GTX G receptacles, wall plates and covers connected by spade to support 1) Amps, 2) Digital, 3) Phono and Pre, 4) ADD POWR Wizard 1M off panel.
This may sound like a large and expensive project, it’s not. IMO it’s worth it to have your power reviewed for good measure and performance.
It is evidently clear to me you can harvest more from a system by ensuring the electrical foundation is solid and robust. Why? You are listening to electricity.
Long live audio, be safe, and don’t do anything without a registered expert providing support and service when it comes to electrical.
Adding to panels and safety, I was recently made aware of proper tightening in the panels using a torque wrench, I found what I think is a good article on this.
https://iaeimagazine.org/magazine/2...ing-electrical-connections-for-proper-torque/
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I wrote earlier about grounding results that were positive, however, turns out they were masking an underlying issue that needed to be addressed.
We previously added grounding rods to the sub panel, this was met with forum controversy, however, they were bonded between panels, and there was a significant improvement in the system sound. What we did not realize at the time was the grounding rods in the sub panel “A” became the primary grounds rods for the home, hence the improvement.
Somewhere along the way we believe various yard improvements, or shifting of earth due to rain or tree growth had dislodged the acorn(s) holding the copper cable to either one or both original rods supporting the main panel. OHM readings were all over the board, ranging between 80-300, not good.
So instead of digging up earth to find the original rods to the main panel and tye things back together, we went ahead called 811 to mark the property, then drove two 3/4” diameter (standard is 5/8”) copper ground rods down 9’4” (standard is 8’) into earth, separated by 18’ then strung 2 AWG (standard 6 AWG) copper to the main panel secured at the rods through a fusion process called CadWeld (common is an Acorn ring, bolt tight connection).
See the YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/_zGu_Dh6qOk
Once the main was hooked up and tested we seen 60-70 Ohms, still very high, then unhooked the grounding rods from the sub panel “A” and went back to meter measure at the rods and on the main panel, the OHM results dropped just above ZERO, reducing down to .03 - .08.
Now with the home back in order, now it was time to hear the results.
On the first day beginning with the reference system, there was a substantial reduction to an already low noise floor leading to more clarity and openness. Timbre of voice and instrument was more prevalent in the mid range and better definition on the low end with good clean tight bass.
The second day there was a slight ebb in sound from the first day but still overall at a higher starting point, and can only attribute the cable was settling, plus everything now was seeing the new ground and finding its way there.
I watched TV Wednesday and Thursday night - both days video was sharp as a tack and sound from AV gear was louder, cleaner and tighter.
When I got back to the audio, the results of this job is a system where I could easily fool myself saying there is a new component upgrade in service.
Regrounding the main panel and removing the sub panel “A” grounds drastically made listening improvements.
Just a few months prior we put in a second sub-panel, “B”. This replaced the sub panel “A” and now exclusively dedicated to Audio with branch circuits only for receptacles, no lights - it too was a significant game changer as the runs were now all Copper versus Aluminum in the previous sub panel.
Power only for Audio from Sub Panel adjacent to the music room:
Here is a flow path of the Electric Foundation Path from earth:
2 - 3/4” Copper rods buried 9’4” connected with 2 AWG Copper, CadWelded > Main Panel > From Main Panel Branch Circuit, 4 AWG Copper > Square D Sub Panel with Environmental Potential EP2050 > Sub Panel branch circuits using Furutech FP S55N 10 AWG cable (4) > Furutech GTX G receptacles, wall plates and covers connected by spade to support 1) Amps, 2) Digital, 3) Phono and Pre, 4) ADD POWR Wizard 1M off panel.
This may sound like a large and expensive project, it’s not. IMO it’s worth it to have your power reviewed for good measure and performance.
It is evidently clear to me you can harvest more from a system by ensuring the electrical foundation is solid and robust. Why? You are listening to electricity.
Long live audio, be safe, and don’t do anything without a registered expert providing support and service when it comes to electrical.
Adding to panels and safety, I was recently made aware of proper tightening in the panels using a torque wrench, I found what I think is a good article on this.
https://iaeimagazine.org/magazine/2...ing-electrical-connections-for-proper-torque/
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
