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Power from Wall

I am moving from 2 channel to 5.1 home theatre and will be adding several amplifiers. I am concerned that my single dedicated 15 amp circuit will not provide sufficient power. I am trying to calculate the electrical draw from all of the amplifiers to see if an additional 20 amp circuit would provide sufficient power. I seem to find limited information on how to do this calculation.

My main speakers are Genesis V (4 ohm imp, 90dB), uses a toroidal transformer Class D Servo Amp (400W/CH) to drive the woofers and I use a separate YBA2 amp (150W) for the mid and highs. I am also using a separate ultra-efficient 500W Class D discrete MOSFET switching amp for a Genesis S4/8 sub. I also will be adding another 200W amp for the rear speakers. I also am using a Panasonic 65ZT60 plasma, that has a rated power consumption of 620W and average power consumption of 189W.

I have been told that I need around 45-60 amp service to the outlets to run this system. I want some headroom so the various amp have plenty of power, but a requirement of 45-60 amps seems like an awful lot of power and question if it’s really necessary.
joe11554
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,552 posts
 
A 15 amp circuit will handle 1800 watts, a 20 amp circuit
will handle 2400 watts. What you have now is sufficient. No
possible way would you need 45-60 amps. If the circuit
breaker does not trip on your new system you should be
fine,if it does then you would have to upgrade to a 20 amp
circuit. 15 amps x 120 volts = 1800 watts. 20 amps x 120
volts = 2400 watts.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
You should be okay with your current (heh, heh) service. If the breakers don't trip, and I really doubt they will, you're good to go. I would go ahead and install the system and see how things play out...

-RW-
jafant
19,063 posts
 
I concur w/ Yogi-
I will add this question;
are you living on a grid or off? (example: living in a major U.S. city) Keep us posted and happy listening!
joe11554 OP
29 posts
 
Thanks for the assistance.

I am on city service, Naples FL
It didn't make sense to me either, their explanation
is the Class D amp is only 30% efficient so you need considerable more power. I thought the purpose of Class C was their efficiency?

I was also thinking of putting a Torus Power AVR20 on the line. Saw them at NY City show in Brooklyn show recently and their approach made sense. Can I put this unit on a 15 amp line or would it be time for a new 20 amp line?
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