Originally Posted by limegrove
Thanks folks. Sorry for being off-line for a few days - I've been at my new place with a builder's (hard) hat on.

The new feedback is most appreciated. On Friday, my recommended electrician turned up for a site visit. But, while he's AV-familiar, he didn't add anything to my knowledge and was "behind the curve" viz-a-vis the discussions we're having here.

Chenko, wow! I've learnt some more - and got more confused at the same time!

Roger, that checklist is really helpful - thanks. I was thinking things through just now - which spurred (excuse the pun) me on to get back to Hitchhikers. Could you please elaborate:

1) don't need 3 phase for hifi; thats for industry

OK. My new place happens to have it. Is that neutral or detrimental compared to single phase?

2) excellent ground
Yes, I see this as a pre-requisite. I'll get the qualty of earth tested and, if need be, add an external ground rod.

3) sensible plugs and sockets with shutters and insulated prongs

Yes, I'm sold on Neutrik for this.

4) then faff with silly power condition etc.

I've heard the arguments that these can add problems as well as cure them and am not convinced. Moreover, as I have a three phase supply, I believe I have a nice stable supply which doesn't need conditioning.

5) just sep spur

Yes, I see the need for this in principle. But I'm hazy on the specifics. I plan to dedicate one of the three phases to AV and for this to supply:

� a TV room (screen + TV box);

� a home cinema (5.1 DSP speakers + a rack of gear); and

� a music room (2 DSP speakers plus a rack of gear).

Is it sufficient to have a single supply which is then split to feed all of the above? Or a spur to feed each room? Or a spur to feed each speaker pair and each rack? Or to feed each individual speaker and each rack?!

6) breaker box

I understand the safety need for this. Does it add any other value?

7) fuses on live side

Isn't fusing always on the live? Sorry if I'm missing something here.

All the best,


breaker box essential for building regs and paramount safety.

liveside fusing important, some chinese kit can be neutral fused!

i can't comment on 3 phase/ spur,your spark knows much more.

neutrik power connectors are designed for exterior use,bit clunky imho

nothing wrong with MK 13 ampers imho

glad youre making progress, its common sense really

by a socket tester and a multimeter, very informative and cheap

roger


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