John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

Tomorrow, an electrician will be installing electricity in my home that is being built. He will be dropping a separate 50 amp subpanel in the basement for a future studio down there. It will feature a separate ground from the rest of the house. This is all I know. Is there anything else that I must/should request of him for future studio use??? That is, as studio guys, do we tend to need different features than regular home buyers? (Keep in mind that the wiring to the rooms will be done later so we can neglect those issues now).

Thanks,
Grant

Depending on budget...

Balanced power. Run the subpanel separate from any HVAC, refridgerators, or other major appliances w/ motors, etc.

Realistically...when you run the studio wiring, star ground all outlets, and use isolated ground outlets.

I'm outta time right now, but Steve may have a few more things to add when he pops in.

Balanced power.

I think I'm going to need to read up on this one. Should I hurry? The electrician works tomorrow. If I need to request this I need to get my butt in gear!

Run the subpanel separate from any HVAC, refridgerators, or other major appliances w/ motors, etc.

That's the plan. I plan to have only audio on this subpanel/circuit. (Note: my dearth of electronics knowlege likely causes me to use terminology improperly).

Realistically...when you run the studio wiring, star ground all outlets, and use isolated ground outlets.

I like this star grounding idea. But again, it can wait for now, right? The electrician needn't be concerned with this yet, right? I need to focus on issues that must be decided just prior to initial electrical installation in a new house/studio.

Also, is this to say that your previous two suggestions were not realistic/practical? But in reality, this step will come later; the electrician doesn't need to bother with this now, right?

Thanks, Aaron.

Grant

The balanced power is more of a cost issue. But if you want to completely isolate from everything else, it's not a bad way to go. You can also buy separate units down the road and just use them where needed. http://www.equitech.com

You might ask your electrician friend if he knows about balanced power. (Instead of having 120 on one leg, and neutral on the other, it would be 60V on each leg.)

What size panel is your main panel 200 amp?

My main panel in the house is a 200 amp panel. And I'm only running about 60 amps over to my subpanel.