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How Dedicated Must a Dedicated Circuit Be?

I am moving into a house that has a room with two circuits which just service that room. Each circuit feeds a string of outlets and ends at a ceiling lamp. There are no refrigerators, computers, motors or other nasties on each circuit - just one or two light bulbs at the end of the line. They are both 15A. I am planning on adding a 20A circuit for the amps and maybe using one of each for digital and non-digital sources.

My Questions:

1) Does the existance of a lightbulb at the end of a circuit make it a lesser "dedicated circuit"?

2) If it qualifies as a decent dedicated circuit, wouldn't it be true that many of us already have dedicated circuits that are just outlet loops with no other "nasties" plugged into them?

Thanks. I'll take my answer off the air. Peter
peter_s
sbennett268
6 posts
 
Greetings,
Will a "power conditioner" counter the effects of the subject? If so, any recommendations?
Many Thanks,
Steve Bennett
stehno
1,453 posts
 
A dedicated line is like being pregnant. It either is or isn't.

If it's just incandescent lighting and it's for the source and/or pre-amp, it should not be a big deal.

But if the circuit is for the amplifier, it most likely will affect the dynamics during demanding passages. You'd be amazed at what small consumptions of power for other items can do.

Just in case you are not certain, you don't ever want to install a 20 amp circuit breaker on a line running 15 amp romex and outlets. You'll need to run 12 gauge or better for the 20amp upgrade and switch to 20 amp outlets.

-IMO
tarsando
578 posts
 
It must be dedicated to the one it loves.
Post removed 
walkelin
52 posts
 
Hi,

I agree with Stenho, don't know about the light being a grunge filer. I have a dedicated listening room with large SS amp, cd player, and N802 speakers. I tried using existing power which was the same as yours 15 amp circuit multiple plugs daisey chained and a ceiling light. I noticed at night that while playing demanding music the light pulsated to the bass. Needless to say it convinced me that I needed a truly dedicated circuit. My electrician recommended a isolated ground mentioned in one of the post and 10 gauge. True you only need 12 gauge for 20 amp but if you are pulling a new circuit the wire will be the cheapest part of the upgrade. I went overboard and pulled stranded 10 gauge copper which I had cryoed along with the new breaker. In a word it raelly made a difference.

Ps: If you are running a dedicated circuit consider using 10/3 that way if you have room on your panel for two new breakers you can split your analog and digital. I ended up with a quad wall plug 20 amps each side.
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