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What is a dedicated line?

by Nyal Mellor April 08, 2013

A dedicated line is an electrical circuit used solely for the purpose of supplying power to an audio or video system. No non-AV equipment should be connected to a dedicated line. The line runs back to the main service panel or a sub panel. A single high performance room may be fed by a number of electrical circuits, some dedicated lines supplying AV equipment and other non-dedicated lines shared with other parts of the home supplying lighting and other loads. Our recommendations for dedicated power lines:

Go for a 20A rather than 15A line
Use high gauge wire - preferably 10awg - to minimize impedance and maximize the ability of connected equipment to draw the instantaneous current they require
Minimize the length of wire between the outlet and the service panel for the same reasons as above
Use high quality 20A specification or medical grade outlets to minimize contact resistance and added noise
Ensure all lines are on same electrical 120V leg to minimize cross leg current flows