Dedicated circuits
I just completed installing 2 dedicated circuits. After reading several threads here, I went with 30 amp breakers with 10 AWG wire with high end receptacles. One circuit for the amp and the other for everything else. I’m blown away by the difference. Tighter bass, not as bright, better imaging and soundstage. Should have done this long ago.
Thank you, @jea48 .
I am putting the 20A breakers back in tomorrow. In the event of a catastrophe, even an unrelated catastrophe, I'd rather meet code and not be trying to argue with the insurance code about it. |
. . . you see, my misunderstanding was that I was considering the outlet part of the Romex. In other words, since is legit to run heavier Romex in a circuit than what the breaker is rated for, I was thinking that the same would apply to the outlet. In other words, it would NOT be legit to have a 20A breaker for a circuit ran with 14 gauge Romex, but it would be legit to have 12-2 Romex with a 15A breaker, and therefore, I was thinking that as long as the other components of the circuit (Romex and outlets) were rated for more than the breaker, that would be safe and legit. Thank you for clarifying for me what was wrong with that logic--safe, but not legit.
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I think I know where the mistake in VA is coming from. Too little understanding of the math around transformers. For an ideal transformer (without losses) the VA on the input equals the VA on the output, however!! If the V on the input drops, V*A is less on input, therefore V*A is less on output. Transformers are often used in voltage regulators, but they do their magic by altering the output taps. Most linear gear is not this lucky, but most line level gear is well regulated so 20% voltage changes won't matter. Amps are not so lucky. |
OP: There may be a little confusion because of 120 V 15A outlets. It is legally acceptable to put these on 20A circuits, but this is the only place I know of where this is true. As I recall this is more to do with the likelihood of having multiple outlets on the same circuit, so you want a little extra current rating to support multiple appliances. Anything rated for more usually doesn't share a circuit. |
