HI-FI Ring main . Advice sought

[ovlov854]

I will shortly be downsizing and wish to install a dedicated Audio ring main.
I plan on installing a smaller consumer unit in parallel to the existing one and 4mm ring main cabling to the socket(s)
What do you recommend re make/type and what sort of cable? So far I have been advised Lapp or Tintanex.
What are your thoughts on wiring up 4 double sockets?
Advice on costs would also be appreciated
Thanks in advance

[ianlenco]

Good question Martin. I can't answer your queries but look forward to seeing some suggestions.

[Barry]

Hello Martin,

About five years ago, whilst replacing the carpet in my living/listening room, I took the opportunity to have a dedicated ring main installed for my audio system

It is a ring main as opposed to a radial system, comprising 12 double sockets (I use mains-energised electrostatic speakers, as well as needing several sockets for the electronics and sources), and is protected by a Hager 32A RCBO. This is separate to the consumer unit that covers the rest of the house wiring, and is connected to the meter via Henley block.

The cable used was conventional 2.5mm² twin and earth. There is no need, IMO, to use cable of a larger CSA, and I doubt if a qualified electrician would be willing to use Lapp or any other 'fancy' cable, as that could invalidate the Certificate issued for permanent installations. (The source impedance of my audio ring, wired with 2.5mm² cable and measured at one of the sockets is 0.25 Ohm. This is low compared to the expected IEC figure of 0.4 Ohm.)

Hope that helps
Barry

[Andy831]

About 12 years ago whilst building my listening room we took advantage of the disruption and as well as the extension of the normal ring main circuits in my home for the lighting and sockets to the extension, we also added a separate circuit dedicated to a bank of 6 MK sockets specifically for the Hi Fi. The cabling if I remember correctly was the same as you would use on an electric cooker so fairly large cross sectional area.

I had it done because I could and the disruption was already there during the building work. While I have not done a direct comparison between the dedicated supply and the "normal" ring main, I can't honestly say the dedicated supply has not improved sound quality by any real significance.

Would I do a dedicated supply again, probably not but at the time it added very little to the overall costs of the job. The biggest advantage I have found is because it's dedicated you do not get any interference from fridges or freezers switching on and off etc.

Hope that is of some help.

[Flo]

I had a radial ext fitted by a certified electrician (fully pat tasted, with safety cert, as is rental property, and to pass insurance requirements) from a Separate fused mk box using jps in wall cable To a bank of schuko sockets in front room. Mega improvement. The jps is not that pricey, £20m, and is massively built and specked . Lucky also that local mains is very quiet.
If had space and cash I would get battery supply installed. Expensive but no more than some purifiers or high end cords.

[MikeMusic]

If you can - go for a separate customer unit and 6mm twin and earth to sockets for the system only.
There and back, not a ring which I have

I'd like to change mine but the upheaval has been banned by the Boss