Quad panel outlet - can I do one circuit on this?


Can I do a 20 amp dedicated circuit to four outlets in a quad panel on the wall?

I guess that means one circuit breaker would be wired into 4 spots to plug something into.

 

 

 

jumia

Yes, you can do it. Wiring one quadplex outlet on one branch circuit is the same as two duplexes on one branch circuit. The quad give you the convenience of plugging everything at one location and, more importantly, at one ground point.

A dedicated circuit means the circuit is dedicated to the audio gear -- not the receptacle. Multiple receptacles on one dedicated circuit has the disadvantage of having multiple ground points, increasing the chance of ground loop hum. This is why it's not a good idea to have one receptacle for each piece of audio gear. 

A point to keep in mind is that standard receptacles are rated for 15-amps. This is why continuous loads such as space heaters and hair dryers are rated at 1500 watts, or 12.5 amps, because it's 80% of the receptacle's 15-amp rating. Non-continuous loads such as audio amplifiers go over 1500 watts but it's okay to use a 15-amp receptacle because the time at the higher amperage peaks doesn't heat up the receptacle parts. A true 20-amp circuit has a 20-amp receptacle, which has a different blade configuration so a standard (15-amp) plug won't fit into it. You can recognize this receptacle as having a cross on the neutral blade -- to fit the up/down 15-amp plug neutral and the horizontal 20-amp plug neutral. So don't obsess over the "20-amp" circuit rating, because it's not 20-amps since the 15-amp receptacle is the weakest link.

Plugging everything into one quad is fine. Removing the tab on the quad to install two circuits is a waste of money, unless you have a high power amp. Plugging a high power amp into it's own circuit ensures optimal performance into low impedance speaker loads and has no other advantage than that.

gs5556

A true 20-amp circuit has a 20-amp receptacle, which has a different blade configuration so a standard (15-amp) plug won't fit into it.

Are we talking about the US? A 15A plug will fit into a 20A receptacle. The opposite is not the case.

Plugging a high power amp into it's own circuit ensures optimal performance into low impedance speaker loads and has no other advantage than that.

There are many potential advantages to dedicated lines, regardless of speaker loads.

If you run two circuits while you are at it (one from each leg) then you are ready to run a 240v component should one ever tickle your fancy.

yogiboy

I’ve never have seen an audio component with a 20 amp cord. Have you?

Yes, absolutely.

Audio Research, D’agostino, others. It’s not necessarily that they need the full 20A at 120VAC, but that the manufacturer recognizes the advantages of a 20A line, such as minimizing voltage drop. ARC used to ship preamps with 20A cords - obviously, no preamp needs a 20A line.

Power conditioners and iso transformers often come with 20A cord and plugs.