Live andneutral block

Hi-FiConsumer

Unit

On/offSwitch

Meter

N L

UPGRADING YOURMAINS WIRING

2

On/off Switch

Pushto test

MeterConsumerUnit

23

On/off Switch

Pushto test

00351

One of the biggest mains upgrades you can make is to the mains wiring thatsupplies your Hi-Fi system. Russ Andrews explains how to do it.

2

Your consumer unit (‘fuse board’) will have anumber of circuits serving different areas andfunctions in your home, eg. one circuit forlighting, another one for downstairs sockets,one for upstairs sockets and so on. Myrecommendation for upgrading your mainswiring is to add another, dedicated circuit thatonly your Hi-Fi system is connected to. By

increasing the isolation of your Hi-Fi fromyour other circuits, you greatly reduce themains noise problem from householdappliances and you ensure the best possibledelivery of current to your system. Theimprovements in sound quality from doingthis can be enormous and is more than worththe effort and cost.

Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

Introduction

These instructions describe the wiringsystem in use in the UK only – wiringsystems vary from country to country sodo check with your local codes and lawsto make sure you are not breaking thelaw. At the time of writing (Dec 2018)they have been prepared with referenceto the 18th Edition wiring regulations*and if your electrician follows ourapproach your installation will be safe

and comply with the relevantregulations. Adding a new mains circuitisn't a DIY task – the work is complexand here in the UK must be compliantwith Part P of the Building Regulations.Your electrician will be able to ensurethat the new cable is routed safely andtidily, and supply a certificate ofcompliance once the job is done.

Safety Notice

* read more about the 18th Edition regulations on page 4.

3

In the UK there are two basic types of circuit forhouse wiring: the ring circuit and the radial orspur circuit.

A ring circuit consists of a continuous loopof cable running out from the consumerunit and back again with one or moresockets connected to it.

A radial or spur circuit is wired with asingle cable running from the consumerunit terminating at the furthest socket.

The advantage of a ring circuit is thatlooping the wire back to the consumerunit doubles the current handlingcapability of the circuit; the impedance ishalved as current flows in both directions.The wire in a radial (spur) would need tobe much larger to match the lowerimpedance of a ring. Low impedance isvery important even if the current demand is lowsince it has a marked effect on the bassperformance and treble sweetness of a Hi-Fisystem.

A dedicated Hi-Fi ring circuit – for it is a ring that Irecommend – should be wired with at least4mm2 twin and earth cable. If you have to wirewith a spur, it should be at least 6mm2.

The best performance can be had by using ourspecial Russ Andrews Mains Install Cable, which ismade with woven Kimber Kable. We have twotypes available - the best using the purest copperand insulation, and a lower cost alternativefeaturing the same woven design, but using adifferent grade of copper and PVC insulation.

Wiring Circuit

Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

MeterConsumer

Unit

On/off Switch

Pushto test

Radial (spur) circuits

2

On/off Switch

Pushto test

MeterConsumerUnit

Ring Circuits

4

BECOME AN EXPERT...

Your mains circuits terminate at yourconsumer unit (fuse board), which will beclose to your supply meter. Most modernconsumer units have each circuitconnected to the supply via a circuitbreaker (called an MCB) which providesprotection (it trips off in the event of a fault)and allows you to turn off individualcircuits. The consumer unit is in turnprotected by a Residual Current Device(RCD). RCDs are now used in place of theold-style isolator switches and modernconsumer units are installed with them asstandard; a requirement of the 18th Editionregulations is that all domestic circuits mustbe protected by an RCD.

When installing your Hi-Fi mains circuit,your electrician can either use a sparecircuit in your existing consumer unit, or –preferably – fit a new, additional consumerunit dedicated to your Hi-Fi system inparallel to the existing one.

Over the years we’ve tested many ConsumerUnits and we offer what we believe to be thevery best-performing compliant unit, suitablefor wiring one mains circuit.

The unit incorporates a 32A MCB and isadditionally protected by a 40A RCD with a30mA trip current. All parts have been testedand chosen by Russ for their performance; weadditionally treat the conductive parts withDeoxIT contact enhancer and the unit benefitsfrom our Super Burn in Process.

Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

23

On/off Switch

Pushto test

00351

ElectricityMeter

ConsumerUnit

The Consumer Unit

About the 18th Edition WiringRegulationsThe 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2018) come into force on 1st January2019 and there are changes that haveaffected the type of consumer unit that wesupply. The new regulations state thatconsumer units must be housed in a metalenclosure and domestic circuits must beprotected by an RCD (previously it wasacceptable to omit RCD protection for aHi-Fi mains circuit, as long as it wassuitably marked).

Existing installations that were compliantwith the old regulations do not need to bealtered, but new installations must complywith the new regulations from 1st January2019. Our Russ Andrews upgradedConsumer Unit complies with the 18thRegulations, being fitted with both asuitable RCD and in a full metal enclosure.

5Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

You shouldn’t overlook the wall sockets whenupgrading your mains wiring – they are thefinal link to your system. All mains socketssound different – often each socket in adouble sounds different! – and switched onessound particularly bad. We have two types -SuperSockets or UltraSockets. SuperSocketsare fine-sounding sockets which we treat withDeoxIT contact enhancer (and they can becryogenically treated too); UltraSockets arethe best performing mains sockets we’vetested. They have superior contacts (which arecryogenically treated) and are treated withDeoxIT contact enhancer.

Incidentally, you can upgrade your mainssockets at any time – even if you aren’tupgrading your mains wiring. Switch thepower off at the consumer unit and check thecircuit isn’t live before removing the socket.Both our SuperSockets and UltraSockets are astraight swap for your existing ones and are asimple and effective system upgrade.

Safety Notice Before removing existing sockets, switch off themains at the consumer unit, and if in doubt consult aqualified electrician. SuperSockets and UltraSocketsare supplied with full fitting instructions.

The Sockets

DCT SuperSocket withearth terminal Code: 1803

UltraSocket Code: 1901with earth terminal

6 Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

These instructions describe how adedicated mains circuit can beadded to supply your Hi-Fi system. Itdescribes the wiring system in use inthe UK only – wiring systems varyfrom country to country so get yourelectrician to check with your localcodes and laws to make sure you arenot breaking the law or doingsomething incompatible with yourlocal systems. For compliance, workmust be carried out by a qualifiedelectrician.

Fit a dedicated Hi-Fi consumerunit wired in parallel to theexisting consumer unit as shown.Do NOT add it to an existing spareoutlet from the original unit. Wehave researched and tested andfound the best soundingconsumer unit for the bestperformance.

What to do

✗

Live andneutral block

Hi-FiConsumer

Unit

On/offSwitch

Meter

N L

N L ✔

to Hi-Fi

system

7Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

Hi-Fi mains circuit wired from adedicated Hi-Fi consumer unit.

Wire the circuit with a low impedance ringmain cable (such as Russ Andrews MainsInstall Cable) in a local ring circuit (ie twolengths of cable) to an unswitched socket.

If you are not using our Russ Andrews MainsInstall cable, use at least 4mm2 conventionaltwin and earthcabling. If thedistance from yourconsumer unit toyour Hi-Fi room isvery large, and youcan’t run to twolengths of cable, youcan fit a radial circuit(using a single run ofcable terminating inone socket): wire thiswith our Mains Install cable or at least 6mm2

conventional twin and earth. If you can,always wire your circuit as a ring circuit.

To ensure a good connection, treat the bare copper conductors with DeoxIT contactenhancer before fitting them into the socketand consumer unit.

Live andneutral block

Hi-FiConsumer

Unit

On/offSwitch

Meter

N L

Connect system toRuss Andrews PowerBlock

UnswitchedSuperSocket

Return Out

or UltraSocket

Wire with 4mm2 cableor our Mains Install cable

N L

8 Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

You can incorporate balanced mains intoa dedicated mains circuit and werecommend doing so for the very bestperformance. We can supply installversions of both our 1500 and 3000Balanced Mains Units; both are designedto be wall-mounted close to yourdedicated Hi-Fi consumer unit, and arehard-wired, eliminating the plugs andsockets of the standard versions. Contactus for more information.

Live andneutral block

Hi-FiConsumer

Unit

On/offSwitch

Meter

N L

Connect system toRuss Andrews PowerBlock

UnswitchedSuperSocket

Return Out

or UltraSocket

Wire with 4mm2 cableor our Mains Install cable

BalancedMains

Unit

Fitting Balanced Mains

9Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

What you will need

Compliant with 18th Edition IET WiringRegulations (BS 7671: 2018)

Fitted with high-performance 40A30mA RCCB and 32A MCB as standard

Conductive partstreated withDeoxIT contactenhancer and ourSuper Burn Inprocess

Full metal enclosure

Suitable for oneHi-Fi or HomeCinema ring orspur (singlephase)

Code: 1920Consumer Unit £269.00

Consumer Unit

60 DAY MONEY BACKGUARANTEE

WARRANTY

25 YEAR WARRANTY

Full instructions included

Dimensions: Height: 240mm /Width: 147mm / Depth: 100mm

Code: 1408Mains Voltage Meter £50.00

60 DAY MONEYBACK GUARANTEE

Dimensions: 104mm x 60mm x 58mm HWD2 year warranty.

There’s no question that high voltages can affect Hi-Fi equipment;amplifiers with large transformers can be noisier and have more hum; thesound can be subjectively harsher and more distorted, equipment canrun hotter and you may experience failure of the internal fuses. Lowvoltages are a problem too, and can reduce an amplifier’s output andincrease distortion.

Your electricity supplier is obliged by law to deliver 230V +10% -6%,which gives a minimum of 216.2V and a maximum of 253V. Over the lastfew years we’ve seen a tendency for houses to receive higher mainsvoltages than the nominal 230V. Clearly it’s worth keeping an eye on yourmains voltage and if your voltage exceeds the maximum, or is below theminimum, there’s a case for contacting your supply company.

Our mains voltage meter is simple to use – just plug it into any spare socket.

Monitor your mains voltage

10 Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

UltraSocket™ is the very best 13A mains socket wehave tested. Supplied as a single socket only,UltraSockets are a straight swap for existing singleand double 13A wall sockets.

•Very high pressure terminals

•Nickel plated earth connection

• DCT and DeoxIT treated

• Single and double faceplates are a straight swap for existing single and double sockets

• Sockets are BS1363 certified and high impact and fire resistant for your peace of mind

order code 1901ULTRASOCKET™

SINGLE FACEPLATE £79.00

DOUBLE FACEPLATE £89.00DOUBLE FACEPLATEWITH EARTH/GROUND TERMINAL £99.00

Safety noticeBefore removing existing sockets, switch off themains at the consumer unit, and if in doubt consultan electrician. SuperSockets and UltraSockets aresupplied with full fitting instructions.

Mains Install Cable SheathingCode: 1001 £4.10 per metreFitted free if ordered at the same time as Mains Install cable

Russ Andrews Mains Install uses Kimber Kable'sfamous weave. We have two grades available: thebest with the highest purity copper and insulation,and a lower-cost alternative using a slightlydifferent grade of copper and insulation butmaintaining the woven design.

Russ Andrews Superior Mains Install cableCode: 1515 £79.00 per metre

Russ Andrews Mains Install cableCode: 1520 £39.50 per metre

Russ Andrews Mains Install cable is suppliedsingle insulated. When installed it should bedouble insulated ie. run in a suitable conduit.We can supply it ready encased in suitableMains Install Cable Sheathing if you wish.

Russ Andrews Superior Mains

Install cable

Russ Andrews Mains Install cable

Mains Install Cable

Sockets

11Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd. © 2018

SuperSockets™ are fine-performingunswitched wall sockets that are treatedwith DeoxIT® contact enhancer. Availablein single or double versions, they canoptionally be DCT treated to improve theirperformance. We can also supply backingboxes for surface mounting SuperSockets™and UltraSockets™.

SUPERSOCKET™ SUPERSOCKET PLUS™ code 1803 WITH DCT SINGLE £23.00 £36.00SINGLE WITH GROUND £29.00 £42.00DOUBLE £27.00 £40.00DOUBLE WITH GROUND £33.00 £46.00

Surface mount backing box for double SuperSocketCode: 1808 £7.50

Surface mount backing box for single SuperSocketCode: 1808 £3.50

Back Box Saver Code: 1919 £3.99

Stripped threads on your back box?

Back box savers are an ingenious way tofit sockets to an embedded metal backbox with damaged threads.

DEOXIT DP5 code 5443 PUMP SPRAY 150ml £32.95

25% concentration (£19.96 per 100ml)

DeoxIT® improves the conductivity of contacts bydissolving resistive oxides from the metal surfaces andprovides long-lasting protection from further oxidation.DeoxIT can be used on all mains plugs and sockets.

Sockets

Mains Install Accessories