Need understanding on amperage


Forgive me for being a little slow but I'm confused on how to understand the amp ratings:

My circuit to my gear is 20 amps
My conditioner is good to 45 amps (Furman Elite PF15)
My amp is rated at 60 amps per channel (Parasound A21)
and my speakers suck amperage like its going out of style. (Thiel cs2.4's)

So how is it my amp can run 60 amps if my wall outlet is only rated at 20? Is this reserve amps held by the transformer?
And if my power conditioner is rated at 45 amps then am I shortchanging myself by running my amp through it?
And If all this is true then why aren't I throwing the circuit breaker all the time when the system is cranked up?

Again, I'm slow, so use small words so I can understand ;)
last_lemming
Yes, I have often wondered whether this claim for 60 amps by Parasound was an actual measured performance spec or strictly hypothetical "potential" capability. I guess only John Curl can answer this question.

If the current limiters kick in long before the 60 amps, then its hypothetical. Something I did not consider in my analysis.

Tony,

It is possible that the entire output stage could fail if the safe operating area of those transistors is not broad enough to allow the fuse to burn before the transistors fail. This is the potential weakness of having a plurality of power transistors in parallel in the output stage. The weakest one fails first, then the others have to carry the remaining current and they start failing in a cascade phenomena.

Atmasphere:
You are correct re the re-charge. 1/2 sine at 60 Hz is about 8 milliseconds, so it would depend on where in time the transient occured. Nevertheless, I doubt of the power transformer could supply anything near 60 amps. Bombay also seems to assume the 8 amp fuse is in the AC input side but it is actually on the DC power busses supplying the output stages.
So Murphy's Law in the World of HiFi: 24, $20 transistors will blow to protect a $0.05 fuse.
Tonyw:

Murphy's law should have nothing to do with it. But the amp designer should by specing the right power transistors. Safe operating area data are provided by all the power transistor manufacturers.
Yes, of course. Murphy's Law is a humorous outlook on everyday troubles. It is based on the premise that, "If something can go wrong, it will." One corollary is, "When left to themselves, things go from bad to worse." And another is, "Nature always sides with the hidden flaw." 8>)
Can anyone help to illustrate how and what components in the amp (eg. transformer VA, capacitance, transistor rating, etc) that are crucial in delivery into difficult loads e.g. lower than 1ohm in peak situations? thanks.
If the listening level is very low (whisper low) does this mean ALL amp can drive the load well even 1 ohm? Thanks again.