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  3. 151896-65954

15 amps vs 20 amps

Firstly, let me state that I’m no electrician so forgive my ignorance about all this....

My wife and I have just moved to a new house.  We’re very happy, but there’s something unusual about the house! The great news is that it’s almost completely Ethernet wired and came with a kick-ass networking system. Fabulous wireless and Ethernet performance everywhere.

After a few days unboxing and settling in, I thought I’d rig up my system.  This is where the apologies start - I hadn’t actually noticed that most of the house is supplied by a 20 amp circuit, until I tried plugging in my Audioquest Storm power cable, which is meant to connect to my15amp Niagara power supply, and then to my components. No harm done, but the plug was clearly not fitting easily into the outlet. I didn’t force it and stopped  my installation. 
It looks like setting up my system is going to be a project.  Firstly, can anyone tell me if it’s ok using 15 amp audio components through 20 amp outlets? Do I need to change anything like fuses, plugs, outlets? Will 20 amps be good/bad/same for performance? Safety concerns?

As you can tell, I know very little about this and would prefer not to make a costly mistake.

thanks for any advice.




janehamble
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65
832 posts
 
Most people will only give you an opinion on what to do. Everyone has an opinion. Few are technically correct, some may be compliant to code, but compliance isn’t the same thing as the safest and best-performing solution. Many are mis-informed and can lead you to an dangerous installation which could result in an electrical fire. 
The most dangerous thing to do is something that you don’t understand yourself. Get an electrical contractor with at least two good references that is licensed to do residential electrical work by the electrical safety authority in your area. They should be competent in their job, and capable of advising your with the safest and best performing options for what you want to do.
jea48
4,497 posts
 
The house is not new but was fairly recently rewired.
@janehamble


If the rewire was done after 2009 there is a good chance the governing AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) adopted the 2008 NEC section in the code requiring TR outlets in habitual areas in a dwelling unit.

Is the duplex receptacle a TR outlet?

.

janehamble OP
123 posts
 
Yes all the duplex outlets are TR
janehamble OP
123 posts
 
@sleepwalker. Sound advice - thank you.
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
When I was a college student summer electrician, I discovered that most household circuits, at least then, were 15 amps, meaning that number 14 wire is used on a circuit that will trip at a continuous 75% of the rating (12 amps).  A 20 amp circuit uses number 12 wire, and trips at (75% of 20) 15 amps.  This is for all the outlets on that circuit, combined.  Kitchen, bathroom, garage, and outdoor circuits are 20 amp. The electrical code may have changed, but your  wiring is better than what used to be the norm. The actual outlets are different, but not for the fitment of the plug. You apparently used one that had not worn, from disuse.  Absolutely nothing different can happen from using a 20 instead of a 15, except it will take more stuff to trip the breaker, including when you put a bobby pin into the outlet in an attempt to electrocute yourself.

I use a 30 amp, 10 gauge wire, dedicated circuit, because it was how I had wired my washer, and my electronics are now in the ex-laundry room. I did not want any power surges to ever get in the way of the sound.  My two dual mono amps can put out as much as 1600 watts rms, full frequency (at 2 ohms), and I think it makes a difference.  Of course, placebos can be wonderful.  
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