MCB & other Breakers : Not to be ignored when perfecting audio powerlines

Blue58

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2013
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675
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London, UK
Finally got around to installing 4 x Gigawatt G-16a MCB and one Doepke DFS-2 Audio RCCB, however the job was not as easy as simply replacing like for like in the Hagar consumer unit.

Thankfully the Doepke does meet the same size and shape of the Hagar MCB, with a little adjustment to the length of the exposed tails due to the entries having less depth for the bare wire. Perfect clamping mechanism from the Germans.

The Gigawatt unfortunately have their cable entry points further forward and so do not align with the existing copper busbar or the Doepke cable entry. This necessitated star linking to the Doepke with some spare Oyaide copper cable. The cable entries also have that awful centre screw like Furutech use which I dislike. I presume they expect people to use a spade lug. They are also a touch wider than the Hagar MCBs and fit very awkwardly into my consumer unit and don’t allow the cover to be put back In place. In my music room that doesn’t matter but may invalidate your home insurance cover. You have been warned.

This is not a task for non electricians and I would advise employing a certified electrician to complete the work.

Initial thoughts? They sound a tad dull but understand they require 12 days minimum to open up. Let’s see.

Here’s my current mains setup which has evolved over the years. With hindsight it may have been easier (better?) to have purchased something like a Gigawatt PC-4 Evo and be done.

Dedicated HAGAR Consumer unit from Henley block using 25mm tails

DOEPKE DFS2 AUDIO RCCB plus 4 x GIGAWATT g-c16a MCBs

Spur 1 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Taiko Extreme Server + Aqua Acoustic Formula xHDv2)

Spur 2 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to 2 x OYAIDE R1 duplex sockets (PuLSar45 45 SET mono blocks + Java HiFi LDR preamp)

Spur 3 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Avantgarde Duo Omega Bass module)

Spur 4 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Avantgarde Duo Omega Bass Module)

7 x Sablon Prince power cords

Gigawatt - http://gpoint-audio.com , http://www.gigawatt.eu/produkt/g-16a-power-grid-overcurrent-protection-switch/
Doepke- https://www.elektronetshop.de/produ...4046-typ-dfs2-040-2-0-03-f-audio.2664871.html
Oyaide - https://www.mcru.co.uk/product/oyaide-ee-fs-20-mains-cable-cryo-treated/
Sablon Audio- https://sablonaudio.com
 

marty

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
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United States
Finally got around to installing 4 x Gigawatt G-16a MCB and one Doepke DFS-2 Audio RCCB, however the job was not as easy as simply replacing like for like in the Hagar consumer unit.

Thankfully the Doepke does meet the same size and shape of the Hagar MCB, with a little adjustment to the length of the exposed tails due to the entries having less depth for the bare wire. Perfect clamping mechanism from the Germans.

The Gigawatt unfortunately have their cable entry points further forward and so do not align with the existing copper busbar or the Doepke cable entry. This necessitated star linking to the Doepke with some spare Oyaide copper cable. The cable entries also have that awful centre screw like Furutech use which I dislike. I presume they expect people to use a spade lug. They are also a touch wider than the Hagar MCBs and fit very awkwardly into my consumer unit and don’t allow the cover to be put back In place. In my music room that doesn’t matter but may invalidate your home insurance cover. You have been warned.

This is not a task for non electricians and I would advise employing a certified electrician to complete the work.

Initial thoughts? They sound a tad dull but understand they require 12 days minimum to open up. Let’s see.

Here’s my current mains setup which has evolved over the years. With hindsight it may have been easier (better?) to have purchased something like a Gigawatt PC-4 Evo and be done.

Dedicated HAGAR Consumer unit from Henley block using 25mm tails

DOEPKE DFS2 AUDIO RCCB plus 4 x GIGAWATT g-c16a MCBs

Spur 1 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Taiko Extreme Server + Aqua Acoustic Formula xHDv2)

Spur 2 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to 2 x OYAIDE R1 duplex sockets (PuLSar45 45 SET mono blocks + Java HiFi LDR preamp)

Spur 3 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Avantgarde Duo Omega Bass module)

Spur 4 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Avantgarde Duo Omega Bass Module)

7 x Sablon Prince power cords

Gigawatt - http://gpoint-audio.com , http://www.gigawatt.eu/produkt/g-16a-power-grid-overcurrent-protection-switch/
Doepke- https://www.elektronetshop.de/produ...4046-typ-dfs2-040-2-0-03-f-audio.2664871.html
Oyaide - https://www.mcru.co.uk/product/oyaide-ee-fs-20-mains-cable-cryo-treated/
Sablon Audio- https://sablonaudio.com


Posts about Doepke and Gigawatt breakers really piss me off as we cannot get these in the States! I've tried. You ex-Us guys are all very fortunate to be able to access and use these devices!
 

XCop5089

Well-Known Member
Sep 5, 2015
120
91
260
Winchester, UK
Finally got around to installing 4 x Gigawatt G-16a MCB and one Doepke DFS-2 Audio RCCB, however the job was not as easy as simply replacing like for like in the Hagar consumer unit.

Thankfully the Doepke does meet the same size and shape of the Hagar MCB, with a little adjustment to the length of the exposed tails due to the entries having less depth for the bare wire. Perfect clamping mechanism from the Germans.

The Gigawatt unfortunately have their cable entry points further forward and so do not align with the existing copper busbar or the Doepke cable entry. This necessitated star linking to the Doepke with some spare Oyaide copper cable. The cable entries also have that awful centre screw like Furutech use which I dislike. I presume they expect people to use a spade lug. They are also a touch wider than the Hagar MCBs and fit very awkwardly into my consumer unit and don’t allow the cover to be put back In place. In my music room that doesn’t matter but may invalidate your home insurance cover. You have been warned.

This is not a task for non electricians and I would advise employing a certified electrician to complete the work.

Initial thoughts? They sound a tad dull but understand they require 12 days minimum to open up. Let’s see.

Here’s my current mains setup which has evolved over the years. With hindsight it may have been easier (better?) to have purchased something like a Gigawatt PC-4 Evo and be done.

Dedicated HAGAR Consumer unit from Henley block using 25mm tails

DOEPKE DFS2 AUDIO RCCB plus 4 x GIGAWATT g-c16a MCBs

Spur 1 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Taiko Extreme Server + Aqua Acoustic Formula xHDv2)

Spur 2 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to 2 x OYAIDE R1 duplex sockets (PuLSar45 45 SET mono blocks + Java HiFi LDR preamp)

Spur 3 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Avantgarde Duo Omega Bass module)

Spur 4 OYAIDE EE / F-S2.0 V2 (7m) to OYAIDE R1 duplex socket (Avantgarde Duo Omega Bass Module)

7 x Sablon Prince power cords

Gigawatt - http://gpoint-audio.com , http://www.gigawatt.eu/produkt/g-16a-power-grid-overcurrent-protection-switch/
Doepke- https://www.elektronetshop.de/produ...4046-typ-dfs2-040-2-0-03-f-audio.2664871.html
Oyaide - https://www.mcru.co.uk/product/oyaide-ee-fs-20-mains-cable-cryo-treated/
Sablon Audio- https://sablonaudio.com

Blue58,

Are you able to post some photos of your installation please?

This is currently (no pun intended) of interest to me, having looked at the Kemp Electronics website and been suitably tempted.

I have some Henley blocks, tails and a MEM consumer unit with 32A RCBO's from my upgraded installation in my last house. The mains quality is very good in my current 'new-build' home, so I haven't bothered with the mains (but you know how it is!).
 

auricgoldfinger

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2019
120
94
93
Posts about Doepke and Gigawatt breakers really piss me off as we cannot get these in the States! I've tried. You ex-Us guys are all very fortunate to be able to access and use these devices!

Contact mark@wellpleasedav.com for Gigawatt breakers in the U.S. They need to be installed in a subpanel with a dedicated DIN rail in order to be mounted properly. They will not fit into a standard panel.
 

Blue58

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2013
890
675
1,155
London, UK
Blue58,

Are you able to post some photos of your installation please?

This is currently (no pun intended) of interest to me, having looked at the Kemp Electronics website and been suitably tempted.

I have some Henley blocks, tails and a MEM consumer unit with 32A RCBO's from my upgraded installation in my last house. The mains quality is very good in my current 'new-build' home, so I haven't bothered with the mains (but you know how it is!).
A bit of a botched job I’m afraid because my panel would only accept 4 breakers max, of Hagar brand, and as the Gigawatt are slightly wider, 0.5mm, the fourth would not clip onto the rail. I had to make adjustments to the cover to enclose all the wiring. And, as stated before, the busbar does not line up so I star wired the 4 breakers into the Doepke.

i think you would be fine with your MEM box if it accepts more than say 6 breakers.

5F46195B-1F34-4FDE-8FA9-25427F0C1C37.jpeg
 

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
5,411
1,278
E. England
Blue, what's the break in on all this? You've talked about hundreds of hours on SR fuses and the Extreme (thousands?), when do you expect payback on these alterations?
 

Blue58

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2013
890
675
1,155
London, UK
Blue, what's the break in on all this? You've talked about hundreds of hours on SR fuses and the Extreme (thousands?), when do you expect payback on these alterations?
Doepke say 100 hrs (4days) but reported by others to be 12 days. Not sure on the Gigawatt. I think a couple of weeks to a month should be good as they are on 24/7.
Initial assessment is that they do reveal more air around performers and a heavier bass when called for.
 

spiritofmusic

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Jun 13, 2013
14,601
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E. England
But not fully convincing yet? Heavier bass is always a tough call...I mean, who doesn't want "more" bass?
But if that "more" bass ends up as a blunt instrument, then it's a liability.
The biggest reason I turned down Kuraka active isolation, Shun Mook Diamond resonators and IsoAcoustics Gaias spkr footers in my system.
I guess you'll have to weigh up the balance of virtues these changes bring.
 
Last edited:

Blue58

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2013
890
675
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London, UK
But not fully convincing yet? Heavier bass is always a tough call...I mean, who doesn't want "more" bass?
But if that "more" bass ends up as a blunt instrument, then it's a liability.
The biggest reason I turned down Kuraka active isolation, Shun Mook Diamond resonators and IsoAcoustics Gaias spkr footers in my system.
I guess you'll have to weigh up the balance of virtues these changes bring.
I’m convinced.
Didn't say more bass but a heavier bass, just hits harder.
On balance, virtues are all positive.
 
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spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
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E. England
ALL positive?
How disappointingly non-angst ridden Lol.
 

XCop5089

Well-Known Member
Sep 5, 2015
120
91
260
Winchester, UK
A bit of a botched job I’m afraid because my panel would only accept 4 breakers max, of Hagar brand, and as the Gigawatt are slightly wider, 0.5mm, the fourth would not clip onto the rail. I had to make adjustments to the cover to enclose all the wiring. And, as stated before, the busbar does not line up so I star wired the 4 breakers into the Doepke.

i think you would be fine with your MEM box if it accepts more than say 6 breakers.

View attachment 69233

Thanks Blue!
 

Kingrex

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Feb 3, 2019
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I generally find gold not my flavor. Good oll copper applied correct provides excellent audiophile power. And if there is a fire, insurance repairs your house.
 

Blackmorec

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Feb 1, 2019
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When you use Doepke RCCB and Gigawatt MCBs together, you need to be aware of some incompatibilities.

These incompatibilities are not insurmountable when the units are installed in their own dedicated Consumer unit, but will be issue if you try and mix the Gigawatt MCBs with other household related MCBs in a shared Consumer unit.

So what’s incompatible? All units mount on a DIN rail, simply a click fit. That’s no problem.
The problem is that the Doepke’s output terminals and the Gigawatt’s input terminals are on different planes. One terminal is at the front of the switch, the other at the rear, so they dont align from a depth perspective. As well, they are set at different heights so don‘t align in the horizontal plane either.
What is means is that if your CU unit uses a bus bar to transfer positive phase from the Doepke to to MCBs, the bus bar will not align, at all. The only solution is to not use a bus bar and to wire the MCBs either in parallel if there are <3 or in series if =>3.

Obviously if other MCBs or cut-off switches use the bus bar, you can’t use the Doepke - Gigawatt combination. If you look at the photos, you’ll see what i mean 6F52F1DC-48AC-491C-BE30-885AB1E03297.jpeg 4BABD658-458C-474F-A81B-01DAF1DA09E9.jpeg 04B236B4-BDBE-4B36-BCFB-E8E7A8C82F2C.jpeg
 

Blackmorec

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Feb 1, 2019
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I’m really starting to get cold feet regarding using the Gigawatt MCBs.

Firstly they’re not accredited to any standard mentioned in the UK
They have no CE mark
According to the leaflet they’re directional, but the casing is not marked to indicate directionality.
Their Line and Load terminals are reversed compared to regular UK MCBs, making the installation awkward and not allowing the use of a line busbar
They’re shallower that any UK MCB, which means there’s a substantial gap between the Gigawatt MCB and the consumer unit cabinet when the cabinet is closed up tight.

Of course I can wire them properly and I can rivet a second shorter DIN rail to the first, to bring the Gigawatts forward and close the gap. Question is, will the electrician certify such an installation and would he be right in doing so?

Picture 1 shows how you’d like it installed. Picture 2 and 3 show how it must be installed to match indicated directionality. Picture4....what happened to the CE mark? Picture 5-7 show the DIN rail mounting and the gap that’s left when you use the standard rail.
Above all else I want my installation both safe and compliant. Any inputs?
 

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Blackmorec

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Hello Blackmorec
I think that picture 2 its OK.
Best. View attachment 70941
Thanks Rocoa, yes, that‘s a similar layout to picture 2. And in the meantime i found the C€ mark. Its a large outline covering the last 3 lines of the label in picture 4. So my feet are warming a bit. I’ll fit the additional rail tomorrow and see how it all looks.
 
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auricgoldfinger

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Dec 8, 2019
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A photo of my recently installed dedicated circuits. 2-pole Gigawatt breakers (red) are for audio and video. The others (white) are for my office. Bussbar is heavy gauge tinned copper.

Din Rails.jpg
 
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Kingrex

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Feb 3, 2019
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Kingrex

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Feb 3, 2019
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A photo of my recently installed dedicated circuits. 2-pole Gigawatt breakers (red) are for audio and video. The others (white) are for my office. Bussbar is heavy gauge tinned copper.

View attachment 70961
Where are are the line connections. Behind the ground bus?
 

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