HiFi-Tuning Fehlerstromschutzschalter (FI) Supreme 3 RCCB

Hi-Fi tuning residual current circuit breaker Supreme 3 RCCB – residual current circuit breaker for hi-fi systems

Bernd Ahne is considered one of the leading specialists in the field of the influence of electricity on audio components. After years of intensive research into the sonic effects of fuse holders in fuse boxes, he has now turned his attention to residual current devices, or RCDs for short – a necessity, as these are now required by law in new installations. Incidentally, the "R" stands for "fault", while the "I" refers to the symbol for current.

RCDs make perfect sense, as they are designed to protect against power line overload in the event of household appliance malfunctions and to prevent life-threatening electric shocks. Due to their design – the entire power supply for the hi-fi/TV system must pass through this "bottleneck" in accordance with current safety standards – FI switches do not exactly contribute to sound improvement. Compared to standard FI switches, the HiFi-Tuning Supreme3 provides an audible improvement in sound – without any other complicated electrical "interventions".

RCDs in a nutshell: electricity in intact circuits always flows at the same strength. If someone or something accidentally interferes with this circuit, for example if a person touches a defective device and electricity flows through their body to earth, the RCD "detects" this irregularity and intervenes immediately by interrupting the circuit within microseconds.

Protection against fault currents in low-voltage networks such as those in the home primarily serves to protect people and prevent fires. The other, "normal" fuses in the fuse box are so-called circuit breakers, which only trip at higher currents and mainly serve to protect the device. Conventional RCDs are designed to perform their task reliably – no more and no less. Nevertheless – and this is where the RCD from HiFi-Tuning comes into play – all fuses represent a "bottleneck" for the flow of current that should not be underestimated, and thus also indirectly for the sound of any subsequent hi-fi chain.

The design of the Supreme3 FI differs in terms of the construction and quality of the components used, thus ensuring improved conductivity and resilience. At the same time, it prevents potential interference fields, for example through the use of non-magnetic stainless steel screws. The conductors are made of pure copper, which is finished with silver-quality at the contact points to ensure permanently superior conductivity compared to brass.

Conductivity is further optimised by cryogenising the switch using a week-long, computer-controlled nitrogen treatment. With its very well-dimensioned load capacity of 63 amps, the Supreme3 residual current circuit breaker from HiFi-Tuning can also be used in the pre-fuse area.