1. Home
  2. misc-audio
  3. 1121308583

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
 
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!
jea48
2,944 posts
 
Tvad, I was pulling your chain. I am quite familiar with this subject.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ymisc&1110747999&openmine&zzJea48
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Tvad, I was pulling your chain. I am quite familiar with this subject.

Oh. It's hard to see the wink in print. :)

So, you're one of those who ignore all common sense!



Wink...
cincy_bob
270 posts
 
Audiofankj, I recently completed an upgrade of my AC electric service, so I have some recent experience of relevance. I found, just as you are finding, that the standard protocol in my area of the country is to run all aluminum cable from the pole transformer to the circuit panel. Nonetheless, I was obsessive and persistent about insisting that copper be used in all instances on "my side" of the service. I was working with an electrical engineer who scoped and spec'ed my project for me, and, in my case, he recommended 250MCM copper as the service entrance cable. I believe it is rated for a maximum of 325A of current. Whether or not this specific cable is suitable for your application, I am confident that you will be able to find a suitable and cost-effective copper service entrance cable if you stick to your guns.

Some claim that copper makes for better sound than aluminum. I don't have nearly enough expertise to express any opinion on this topic, but I found that the cost differential was relatively modest, went to all copper and never looked back. One other area that I might mention (although your wife might regret this) is that many circuit breaker panels do not use copper contacts in the interior of the box. In my case, I made sure to use a higher grade circuit panel with quality copper contacts/conductors.

Good luck with your project!
More to discover