hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

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Gazjam
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hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Gazjam »

Having heard a balanced power supply in my system at a AOS get together at mine, the upgrade to my system really made me realise what my next step was. It really was a no brainer. Balanced power suplies work and they work really well.
I didn't realise my mains was so bad and how detrimental an effect this can have on your hifi system's sound - mains is VERY important guys!

With this in mind I decided to "hardwire" the balanced mains unit into my property rather than buy a standard Mains Unit with 13A sockets that you plug in like a distribution block. My thoughts were to "Do it once and do it right": the hardwired approach would allow a much more direct connection between my hifi and the balanced mains and in turn my mains supply.
Understandably this was a far more serious investment than swapping out a set of cables or even plugging in a "standard" balanced mains unit, which effectively is just a very fancy mains distribution block.
No, what I was proposing in my system was more hardcore and potentially more dangerous too.
It was important therefore not to take the safety aspect of this installation lightly, and I had researched on various forums, read up on UK electrical safety and had the ear of an expert in these matters who advised me on things I wasn't sure about. Additionally all work was inspected and ok'd by an electrician before I even switched on.
IMPORTANT BIT
This was what I did in my system, I would say to anyone reading this; take a view on your own system and your own comfort level with mains electricity! Mains electricity can be lethal and if your not sure get a professional in, buy a standard BPS unit or - JUST DONT DO IT!
I am not offering any electrical advice...this post is really just for illustration of what I did in my own system.

PART ONE : PREPARING THE WIRING

AIRLINK BALANCED MAINS TRANSFORMER - HARDWIRED - TOP PLATE REMOVED
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Note the 2 circuit breakers - important! MCB on the input and RCBO protection on the output - safety first!
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Think of wiring a plug, Live Neutral and Earth..right?
Exactly the same principle here. The Transformer has TWO sets of internal terminals, 3 in each set for L,N and E)
INPUT TERMINALS: Taking the 230V feed from the wall socket/Ring Main
OUTPUT TERMINALS: Outputting the "balanced" output from the transformer to your equipment.
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The output cable from the transformer could be terminated in several ways; one or more 13A sockets...could wire in a mains distribution block in...or (IMO) the best option, a hard wired "Hydra" type junction box. (I show how I construct this later)

You'll notice in that last picture that there seems to be extra green/yellow earth wires coming from the earth terminals?
That is becasue the case of the transformer needs to be earthed too, not just the equipment attached to it.
There are various "earth points" attached to the inside of the case, basically copper bolts screwed on, which makes sure the case is effectively connected to earth and therefore safe.
These bolts came in very handy when wiring up the individual mains cables internally at later stages of the install.
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When making up mains cables, as Illustrated HERE: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthre ... post434959, you want to connect up the cable shielding to earth at the plug end to sent any EMI or RF picked up by the cable to earth and stop it from affecting sound quality.
But if theres no plug and its going into the mains transformer...what do you do with the shielding? How do you channel away the EMI/RF?
Thats where the earthing posts on the case of the transformer comes in, after preparing it properly you just attach the shielding to earth.

PREPARING THE CABLE
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Cable Shield gathered as strand, heatshrinked and tapped into earth point on transformer case.
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CONNECTING THE TRANSFORMER TO THE WALL - HARDWIRING
Normally you would just plug these things in, and you would be able to switch it on and off at the plug switch. My Balanced transformer had two switchable circuit breakers which completely cut off the power to ANYTHING connected to its output and input terminals. These breakers, effectively, functions as the aforesaid plug switch and allows local termination of supply and are properly fused with MCB/RCBO protection. With this safeguard in mind I decided to continue maximising my mains potential. If it were possible I would have run seperate spurs from my consumer unit to my hifi system, but as I was unable to do this for practical reasons I looked to the next best option. I wanted to get as close as I could to the ideal for my situation, so I "hardwired" my balanced mains into the ring main instead of just plugging it into a 13A socket. Instead of the ring main wires (L,N and E) being internally connected to a double 13A socket, I connected up the wires internally to a 60A terminal block, which in turn I connected to the input wires feeding the Transformer. These connections were verified for safety and were neatly hidden away inside the patress behind a blanking plate. This blanking plate replaced the 13A double socket and allowed a neat entry point for the Transformer input cable.
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ITS STARTING TO COME TOGETHER - INTERNAL WIRING ALL DONE (I run two systems off the balanced mains, hence the Belkin mains block)
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PART TWO: CONSTRUCTING THE JUNCTION BOX
Rather than fitting a mains distribution block at the output of my Transformer, i decided to remove all the unecessary breaks in the cable which could affect sound quality and again hardwire as much as possible. Based on threads read here on AOS I initially planned "star earthing" all earth wires from the mains cables coming from my kit. Research dug up that this was a preferred way internally wiring mains distribution blocks (I believe MCRU and Mark Grant do their blocks this way?), but FURTHER research showed that the benefits of bringing the common wires together at a single point could bring advantages not just for earth, but for Live and Neutral wiring as well. Nordost in fact employ this star construction in their "Thor" mains block (£1600!!:stalks:) so the theory must be sound.
(At this point I must show grattitude here to a certain Roy K. Riches for the invaluable information he gave freely on constructing the junction box and other mains related information)

Think of a 13A plug...it has three screw terminals for the three wires in a mains cable.
The junction box uses that exact same principle except it combines more than one cable for each screw terminal, all same coloured wires go to a central point, all insulated from the other two terminals.
IT WAS ALWAYS A CASE OF SAFETY FIRST So I had to decide on a British Standards compliant electrical enclosure for the junction box, and the correct rating of internal screw terminal blocks for the internal wiring. I did my research, bought in my parts and started constructing:

IP55 BS COMPLIANT ELECTRICAL ENCLOSURE (Note the side entry holes for the different mains cables)
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Two pieces of wood bonded to electrical enclosure using "no more nails" - ROCK SOLID electrically safe base for constructing the internals of the junction box.
(Upper piece of wood cut into U Shape to better physically seperate the three different electrical screw terminals)
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ELECTRICAL TERMINALS "SCREWED 'N GLUED" TO WOODEN BASE
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BEGINING TO HOOK ALL THE WIRES TO THE JUNCTION BOX
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AGAIN PLEASE NOTE THAT BEFORE ANYTHING WAS SWITCHED ON ALL WIRING WAS CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED THAT EVERYTHING WAS INSULATED AND ISOLATED PROPERLY - SAFETY FIRST!

PART THREE - THE FINISHING TOUCHES

I run a Belkin PF30 mains conditioner in my system, which I found to have been an effective way to help minimise the damage inherant in some of the switching power supplys used in my sytem, Tivo box, Routers etc.
Looking for a way to incorporate it into the balanced mains I decided to hardwire THAT into the junction box and any equipment with switching power supplies...? Plug it into the Belkin!
Hopefully this is an effective way of isolating the switched mode power supplies from the "important" pieces of my hifi; the amp, Dac and Server.
Whilst I was there I decided to remove the captive lead on the Belkin and hardwire a far better quality of mains lead to it, in fact the same 4mm Sq cable I was using elsewhere in the install. I was never convinced that it was a good idea that something proposing to be a mains cleaning product was fitted with what to me seemed a sub standard mains cable.
So out with the old cable and in with the new one, some pics:
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CONCLUSION AND FINAL THOUGHTS

So...all wired up, safety tested and ready to go. :)
In my experience a new DIY mains lead can take some time to fully settle down and get its final sound. In the case of this install, there were so many variables; a new balanced mains transformer, new cables, many many new connections and terminal wiring etc that I just never even thought about it. I decided to just switch it on and enjoy it. :)
I did make a point though of doing everything at once so that any cable burn in etc would happen at the same time - across the whole setup.
The sound right from the get-go was very obviously better - a LOT better than it was before plumbing in the hardwired balanced mains.
Noise floor just about vanished. So what does the noise floor sound like? Dunno..but you now its gone when its gone; everything is more dynamic sounding, more detailed, but (and this is the best part for me) with a more natural sense of timing and the music having "space" to do its thing..no rush, no hurry..just music. Its MORE than just the 3am sound quality during the day cliche...balanced mains brings something really special to the table.
I had heard just how bad my mains quality was when Ali Tait brought his own balanced mains transformer over to mine for a listen. Massive improvement - and his was the type that you plugged in and had two 13a sockets for equipment that we plugged a mains block into.
That first morning of switch on my own BPS installation sounded at least as good as what we all heard when Ali brought his over. I would say that over the last couple of weeks its got noticably better.

Hands down its the best upgrade EVER in my system, and I've had a couple of major upgrades that the rest of the visiting AOS guys noticed at the same time, notably when I plumbed in Tellerium Q Black speaker cable in with my RS3's...
Also, more recently, I fitted a set of the new design TQ Black interconnects which replaced Mark Grant HD2000's. A level better again to my ears and again a case of wow, what an upgrade.

But these were not as obvious and improvement as plumbing in the balanced mains.
I really feel hardwiring was well worth it. A lot more work sure, but I will have ended up with a mains system of a lot less impedance feeding my hifi system which has resulted in a fantastic upgrade.
Even my Plasma TV and Tivo has taken a leap in quality, watching 1080p bluray rips on the server is fantastic.

As I said at the start, mains quality can make SUCH a massive difference to how good your hifi sounds. If you have excellent mains quality already in your home..you may not get as much milage out of it as I did, but in my case it's (yes, here it comes...) night and day.
Interstingly enough, there was a debate about balanced mains vs mains regeneration?
I have heard an Power Inspired AG500 mains regen unit in my system before the balanced mains was put in and yes, the Ag500 improved the sound. It was subtle though, unlike balanced mains which was immediate, obvious and made me grin like a loon. :)

I got all the work checked by an electrician before I hooked it all up and switched on, so I feel confident I can just enjoy the music.
If your not a qualified electrician, and you want to hardwire into your mains, get a professional in to advise at least. Safety first.

I hope this might be useful for someone, to me its a no brainer upgrade. Makes the best of the kit you have.


Gaz.
Last edited by Gazjam on Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
I have HIfi n' stuff.

jammy395
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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by jammy395 »

Cheer's Gaz.

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Dr Bunsen Honeydew
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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

Thanks for the inf Gaz, but as an aside can I point out that you are shilling MCRU again. He supplied you with loan stock and free bits of wire so you repay him by shilling his daft priced wire to others on the forums who will have to pay full price.

I supplied you with some of the wire I use FOC, did you use it, you have made no mention of it, probably because I don't sell it to anyone so it can't be shilled :roll:

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Gazjam
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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Gazjam »

C'mon Richard, Im not intentionally shilling anyone, just relaying my experience.

Mibbay I should have been a bit more thoughtful here, I''ve removed product links.
No harm intended mate, hadn't thought about it that way.

The length of wire you gave me Richard is hooking up the Belkin PF30 to the transformer, thanks.
I can say that the improvement to the system using balanced mains is obviously better (to me) than putting in the AG500 mains regen.
That was good improvement, but was far more subtle than what the balanced mains brings to the table.
If it was practical (and more affordable!) I'd have went for the 5kva unit as Imbelieve this would lead to less impedance in the system.
I dont think its much, I remember reading somewhere that someone emailed Airlink asking for impedance figures and there wasn't a huge difference...but might have been worth it all the same.
I have HIfi n' stuff.

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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Daniel Quinn »

Nice write up and pics daz , however my ignorance is puzzling me . Is the mains conditioner not negating the benefits of a hard wired balanced transformer ? :think:

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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

Gaz - An AG1500 would be about three times the benefit of an AG500 as it is 3 times the VA so three times better at lowering the source impedance.

Regarding MCRU that is the game he plays, you don't see it as it is subtle. He gets you in his debt and makes you think he is your friend because you are an image and idea maker at the forums. He knows the sheep that baaa along behind these sort of things will think it is his stupidly priced products that is doing it, where as in reality any good mains lead will do. It is marketing and it is there all the time, and Marco supports him and admires him because this is what he would do as well. Salesmen are basically pond scum, they have no truth in them they only have "the next sale" and their profit or commission. The only thing worse are marketing men who weave the bullshit that salesmen use.

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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Andrew »

Apologies in advance for my lack of tech knowledge. I've just read up a little on a couple of sites, but my understanding isn't exactly deep.

I was wondering about the kind of balanced mains transformers you can buy off the shelf from people like Airlink:

http://www.airlinktransformers.com/bala ... _supplies/

Are these likely to do a similar job? Frankly I wouldn't have the savvy or commitment to attempt anything on the scale Gaz has here. I also swap bits around far too often for it to be practical. If I could achieve most of the benefits from something as cheap as the items in the link, then I'd probably be up for it. £230 isn't a lot if the results warrant it.

If they aren't complete non-starters, what should I look for in terms of VA rating etc? Also, I notice the ones with more than two outputs seem to have those horrid euro sockets rather than UK mains. I don't really want to remove the plugs from any specialist mains leads. Presuming I went with a two uk plug version, what would benefit most. I'm guessing amps but that's all it is: a guess.

I was unsure as to whether to ask here or in the "Ask a designer" thread. I figured here was probably best, since my question was generated by Gaz's post. Incidentally, I found the tech explanations on the Link above to be written at a level that you don't need an electronics degree to read. Whether its all correct is another matter though.

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Gazjam
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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Gazjam »

Daniel Quinn wrote:Nice write up and pics daz , however my ignorance is puzzling me . Is the mains conditioner not negating the benefits of a hard wired balanced transformer ? :think:
I only use the Belkin conditioner to isolate the bits of kit with switching power supplies,Tivo, router etc from the music making bits.
All the "important" kit is directly hardwired.
That was the theory anyways. :)
I have HIfi n' stuff.

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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Gazjam »

Andrew wrote:Apologies in advance for my lack of tech knowledge. I've just read up a little on a couple of sites, but my understanding isn't exactly deep.

I was wondering about the kind of balanced mains transformers you can buy off the shelf from people like Airlink:

http://www.airlinktransformers.com/bala ... _supplies/

Are these likely to do a similar job? Frankly I wouldn't have the savvy or commitment to attempt anything on the scale Gaz has here. I also swap bits around far too often for it to be practical. If I could achieve most of the benefits from something as cheap as the items in the link, then I'd probably be up for it. £230 isn't a lot if the results warrant it.

If they aren't complete non-starters, what should I look for in terms of VA rating etc? Also, I notice the ones with more than two outputs seem to have those horrid euro sockets rather than UK mains. I don't really want to remove the plugs from any specialist mains leads. Presuming I went with a two uk plug version, what would benefit most. I'm guessing amps but that's all it is: a guess.

I was unsure as to whether to ask here or in the "Ask a designer" thread. I figured here was probably best, since my question was generated by Gaz's post. Incidentally, I found the tech explanations on the Link above to be written at a level that you don't need an electronics degree to read. Whether its all correct is another matter though.
Hi Andrew,
the transformer I bought is in fact from Airlink, its this one:
http://www.airlinktransformers.com/bala ... s/BPS2020/

I decided to go down this road after a mate on Artofsound brought his DIY balanced mains over to mine for a listen at one of our Scottish Mafia get togethers.
One of the guys who was there bought an Airlink transformer that very night when he got home!
It was THIS one:
http://www.airlinktransformers.com/bala ... s/BPS1500/
He is a very happy camper with it and says it brings about the same improvement in his system as the other one did in mine.
This would be the entry point for balanced mains imo, totally plug and play, two sockets for your kit just plug a decent mains block into it to feed all your kit.
That's how the DIY unit was wired up at the get together and the sound improvement was so obvious.

As Richard mentioned, benefit can be gained by lowering the impedance of the mains by using a higher rated transformer.
There's other plug n play options from Airlink as you've seen, same deal just higher rating.

For myself I wanted to see how much I could improve my mains, and wanted to "do it once and do it right", hence the hard wiring.
Ideally I'd liked to have had seperate direct feeds from the Consumer Unit, but that wasn't possible where I live so what I did was the next best option for me.
I have HIfi n' stuff.

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Re: hardwired Balanced Mains Transformer install

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

In a perfect world the 'Lecky companies would send balanced mains to everyone, but it would mean completely rewiring the National Grid.

But I think part of the problem is that signal is being piggy backed onto the mains on the grid, and balancing would see that as distortion and remove it.

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