Is it worthwhile having an dedicated AV circuit ?

[phatboy]

I am having the living room re-wired soon as part of renovation works.

Would it be worthwhile having a dedicated radial circuit installed to service all of the AV equipment? I would probably be connecting 4x double sockets behind the TV unit, so think a 20amp RCBO in the CU would be fine?

Is this worth doing? I read that maybe it would reduce noise on the circuit from other household appliances.

Also, is this a circuit that would benefit from High Integrity earthing? I must admit I don't understand this particularly, but as I will be having someone in to do the work, I may as well do it once and do it right!

Thanks
Tim

 

[bernardgreen]

Also, is this a circuit that would benefit from High Integrity earthing?

Probably not.... High Integrity earthing uses two Protective Earth conductors from the sockets to the Earth bus bar in the Consumer Unit and does not reduce noise / interference on the supply to the sockets.

It might benefit from a Clean Earth to the sockets. A Clean Earth is taken from an electrically quiet source of Ground potential, sometimes a Ground rod. This provides the Earth to the equipment but NOT to the cable / socket fixing screws / back box.

The cable for Live and Neutral must have a Protective Earth conductor from the Earth Bus bar in the consumer unit to Earth the fixing screws and back box of the sockets

Clean Earth sockets have two sets of Earth terminals, one for the Protective Earth and one for the Clean Earth

//www.diynot.com/diy/threads/clean-earth-3-terminal-socket.441908/

 

[Taylortwocities]

I have never found a need for high integrity earthing in a domestic environment. The regs say something like it is only necessary if the total protective conductor current is likely to exceed 10 mA, I wouldn't have thought you would encounter that even with quite a lot of AV equipment.

Also a lot of hooey is talked about mains noise by having a separate discrete circuit. You'll get noise transfer from other circuits on the same CU in any case. Most modern AV equipment have filters to minimise mains-borne noise.

You could consider having a mains purifier if you encounter problems. Don't forget to use the special super sockets to further enhance your listening and viewing experience

 

[stillp]

to further enhance your listening and viewing experience

To say nothing of your overdraft, which will be the only thing measurably different!

 

[Iggifer]

Never fitted them, but MK make filtered sockets. They're pretty bulky but better quality than Russ Andrews for sure.

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/6729.pdf

Don't think they're cheap though, and a new cartridge is £13

 

[phatboy]

Never fitted them, but MK make filtered sockets. They're pretty bulky but better quality than Russ Andrews for sure.

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/6729.pdf

Don't think they're cheap though, and a new cartridge is £13

Tempting, but the depth would be an issue as it will be behind furniture! Good to know there are options though...!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, but The Russ Andrews hobbies are treated with DeoxIT™ contact enhancer. That's got to be worth the extra £20!

 

[DaveHerns]

What do they use in high-end hi-fi stores to power the display equipment?

 

[bernardgreen]

Yes, but The Russ Andrews hobbies are treated with DeoxIT™ contact enhancer. That's got to be worth the extra £20!

But it would be a waste of £20 if you didn't also use mains leads that have been "burnt in" and had the Deep Cryogenical Treatment

http://www.russandrews.com/powermax-cable-uk-mains--iec/

 

[securespark]

FFS.

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

Does anyone believe the hype of this stuff?! Just had a look at speaker cables - £4k!!!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Does anyone believe the hype of this stuff?! Just had a look at speaker cables - £4k!!!

It will make those old 45s sound soooo much better!

 

[Spark123]

Don't forget the "ringmain" cable at £65 ish per metre! It must be good, looking at the reviews! http://www.russandrews.com/russ-andrews-ringmain-cable/#reviews

 

[bernardgreen]

That ring main cable has this little gem of information

The cable is supplied in single insulated form. For installation purposes the cable must be double insulated, which can be provided at additional cost.

And be sure to use a sensible earthing system. Rusty Androids provides for this essential requirement with the "" The Star RF Router ""

http://www.russandrews.com/star-rf-router/

 

[flameport]

What do they use in high-end hi-fi stores to power the display equipment?

Probably a selection of multi way extension leads from Poundland.