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HELP - Electrical / Wiring with new build of home

Hello and thank you for reading this.

As some of you know, I am in the process of building a new home, with a dedicated audio room, 5 dedicated 20A circuits, etc., and other features to hopefully help the system sound its best for many years to come.

While walking the house this evening, I noticed the large "umbilical" coming from the breaker box, running through the basement rafters out to the garage (I assume to be connected to the meter outside) appeared to be aluminum. The electrical drop must have been a good 2" or perhaps even 3" in diameter, with 4 distinct stranded wires inside. Again- all appeared to be aluminum.

I have done some forum searches, and didn't find much, but am quite sure I have been told to make sure it is all copper and NO aluminum. I have already shot off an email to the builder, but I will need help and/or "ammunition" as to why the aluminum is "unacceptable" and why it needs to be copper.

Please correct me if I am incorrect and the aluminum is fine. Please also give me all the info I need to get the copper if the aluminum is not good.

Thank you for all the help in advance!
audiofankj
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I am wondering if it will make a difference at all, if the drop from the street to the meter is aluminum, will there be much, if any effect from the meter to the breaker panel...

We are obsessive in this hobby, aren't we? But, you've gotta choose someplace to stop the madness. I'd suggest you to stop the madness by leaving well enough alone with the aluminum from the meter to breaker panel.

Now, I have to go polish and demagnetize my CDs...

audiofankj OP
373 posts
 
LoL - Tvad, you have just about hit the nail on the head! That is, with the look I got from the wife, while I was discussing this with my father on the phone tonight... if I don't let it go, I just may get the nail in my head!

That is really going to be the "straw on the camel's back" ... if this continues to aggrevate the "better half" I just may have to take my lumps... hate to neglect what may help, but also have to have a pulse to listen and see if the aluminum did affect it, eh?
jea48
2,944 posts
 
Tvad, demagnetize a CD!!. How do you demagnetize aluminum???
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Oh, Jea48, there is much for you to learn. Don't you know audiophiles will ignore all common sense to gain an advantage?
Here is a review of the Furutech RD-2 Degausser from 6Moons.com. Also, my neighbor uses a $40 Radio Shack Bulk tape eraser to accomplish the same thing. I don't personally use these items, but there are some that do, and they swear by them.

I was simply using it as an illustration of Audio-Compulsia...
audiofankj OP
373 posts
 
Hmm... perhaps I need to buy a few of those bulk tape erasers, and fabricate a contraption to "sweep" over my aluminum feed to the breaker box prior to listening sessions. Damn, Tvad! Perhaps this will work out alright!
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