Outlets and Wire Gauge? - Please help!
I finally contracted an electrician to run two dedicated lines - a week from today! I have been reading thread after thread and the consensus appears to be going with 10awg wire for the 20amp run. My problem is two-fold:
I simply want to install something good that's going to feed a Puritan Audio PSM156. I am now running ADG Gran Vivace monos. I prefer a rich midrange.
Additionally, I asked for both a 15 and 20 amp run. People suggested I do this so my sources can be run off the 15A with amps / subs off of the 20A, but someone here mentioned ground loops? I am not well-versed in things electrical. Ideally I would like to know if I should stick with the two runs, and what would be a few good choices for each outlet if I do. @jea48 @erik_squires ... I have seen solid advice from you on the topic of outlets, but they lack things specific to awg and outlet type.
Thank you in advance!
PS I estimate the length of the run to be approximately 50', max.
I have never had problems like this with electricians other than they think I am crazy. I just installed 10 gauge Romex and use 15 amp hospitals grade or audiophile outlets either 15 amp like AudioQuest or Cardas. Typically most home subwoofers and amps do not require 20 amps. Also, typically folks would run one direct line for components / conditioner, and one for amp… I guess you could run one for the subwoofers. Yes, 10 gauge sounds better than 12 or 14. And get a different electrician, he clearly does not understsnd basic wiring. @carlsbad +1 Ground loops should not be a problem unless you have two different breaker boxes and one line comes from one and one from another. If they are both dedicated lines and from the same box, there should be no problem. |
Electrician is fine. He explained that the outlets he's used to have plastic "walls" on either side of the screws and the 10 gauge wire will not wrap around the screws. I too have worked with 14 gauge and found the fit tight on consumer outlets. He never back stabs. I read about the cardas and audiquest but also about the Leviton 5362, for example at a fraction the price. I do not need to "cheap out" but if we are talking apples to apples...? He said it's cheaper to get a single roll of 10awg and run two, 20A circuits. I am going that route. Thank you for the replies! I'm left with selecting a worthy outlet. Which do you swear by?? |
You can’t back stab anything larger than 14 gauge. The holes are too small for anything bigger. You can back-wire, which is entirely different. To be clear, back stabbed connections don’t use screws. They use spring loaded prongs which have a tendency to have poor connectivity and come lose. IMHO you should get rid of 100% of those from your home. Back wired connections also use a straight in approach but the wire is clamped down by the force of the screw, and is held by two solid metal plates on either side. It IS a little more susceptible to losing it’s grip than wrap-around wiring, but a lot better than back stabbing. |
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