Fremer's Single-leg panel is absolute tweak bs

Quote:
"60/120V Symmetrical (Balanced) Power Systems Per NEC 647.1 (2008) the use of a separately derived 120 volt, single phase, 3-wire system with 60 volts between each of the two ungrounded conductors and ground is permitted for the purpose of reducing objectionable noise in sensitive equipment locations, providing the following conditions are met:

1. The system is installed only in commercial or industrial occupancies

2. The system‟s use is restricted to areas under close supervision by qualified personnel.

3. All other requirements in NEC 647.4 through 647.8 are met.

@jea48

i use an Equi=tech 10WQ Wall Panel System which does use balanced power. my electrical contractor was fine installing it since it was in a separate building, for a dedicated room "only" resembling a commercial installation. i called it my ’studio’ to my contractor.

no water in the room, or children in the room. it was a purpose built room. which met the code. only my system gets plugged into that panel.

as far as system performance, i have dirty power outlets around the room and it’s easy to compare them to my Equi=tech balanced outlets, and it’s quite a bit better sounding both for sources and amps. i’ve had a few manufacturers bring gear skeptical about my isolation transformer or balanced power. they left no longer skeptical. why my separate isolation transformer sounds better is a fair question. i have my own transformer at the street, and am in a newer development in the mountains. so you would think my regular power would be pretty good.

PS - I am pretty sure they make 2-pole CAFCI breakers these days, but if symmetrical power is not allowed at a residential wall outlet then there’s no getting around that in the NEC.

i will invite 'Rex' who is a local friend, and also the consultant to Michael Fremer who appears in the video, to join this conversation. i'm not qualified to debate these issues, i just listen. but he is for sure.

As for Fremer’s audio room power system:

A lot of audiophiles use a sub panel to feed their audio equipment. I would guess in most cases the sub panel is wired 120/240V. I would also guess that most audiophiles, not all, feed all there equipment, that is connected together by wire interconnects, to branch circuit breakers fed from only 1 Line. All from Line 1 or all from Line 2. Not from both. No different than if multiple 120V dedicated branch circuits were ran from the main electrical panel.

FWIW in Fermer’s case, I doubt if the total used listening audio equipment continuous FLA equaled more than 12 amps tops.

Other things found in a home that can draw 12A at 120V continuous:

Portable plug in Vacuum cleaner.

Central Vac system.

1500 watt 120V plug in electric space heater.

120V window A/C unit.

Above counter plug in toaster oven.

Some hair dryers. We have a 1875W hair dryer. FLA 15.63A.

I’m sure there are other 120V devices, appliances, equipment, that could be added to the list.

/ / / /

Any of you guys watch this interview video of Caelin Gabriel CEO of Shunyata?

Where does most of the noise come from on an audio system? The circuit designer,(maybe not all), dump’s it on the chassis of the equipment. Makes sense to me...🤔

I would really appreciate it if a new thread were created for discussions of circuit vs. chassis and safety grounds instead of intermingled here.

Lets keep this narrowly focused on discussions of 1 leg or 2 to a panel, and best practices. 

Thank you very much.