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Dedicated Lines - 32 amps possible?

I no electrical expert and am planning to install 2 dedicated lines (220v, 32amps) each. Is this possible or overkill since almost everyone else is using 20 amps.

Here is my scenario:

Line 1 :
- Installed JPS AC power in wall cable (80 ft) from panel and will be used for power amps only.
- incoming power is 230v 63 amps, electrician already installed a separate MCB, ELCB, and i have the choice of installing either a 20 or 32 amp Type C breaker. This is seperate from the main box, he tapped the power out to the separate box.
- this line will run to an isolator near the equipment (basically it is a big ON/OFF switch). At this Isolator, this will split going into 2 x Duplex Furutech Gold Receptacles...
- amps used are McCormack 225 monoblocks and possibly Earthquake Grand Cinenova 5 channel...This amp has a 4kva trans inside which the dealer says, tends to trip breakers due to high current draw during start up..thus the 32 amp question...
- simplistic thought...since this line will split into 2 outlets, if all three amps are on, will the current draw be high enough to warrant the 32 amps or will 20 amps be enough..

Line 2:
- this is just normal Romex wire which is 6mm dia each (I think this is either 12 or 10 guage)...
- this is also running from the separate box that is installed...I have the option of either putting a 20 amp or 32 amp Type C breaker....
- this will also go to a separate Isolator that will go into a Furutech duplex receptacle...
- this outlet will be for the Hydra 8 that will connect the CD, DVD and Pre-amp....

Both lines are running together and because of the plastic trunking, there is a plastic separator between the cables....

So, should I go to 20 amp breakers or 32 amps...

Thanks for your advice.
teck5
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Most ppl use 20A on 115V lines, which translates to 10A on 230V line (W = V*A). 20A is enough for you.

I'm not sure if even 32A would be legal/safe on your lines.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
You can use 32 amp breakers but there are two drawbacks I can see:

1.) They may not protect your equipment (trip quickly enough) in case of an internal component failure or partial short.

2.) You will have to use very heavy (and expensive) wire in the wall to comply with code requirements for 32A circuits, and then how do you connect 8AWG conductors to standard, even 20A, receptacle hardware?

If you are that worried about your amps tripping breakers, I think it would be more cost effective in the long run to give them each their own 20A circuit. By the way, even with 20A circuits, if you're 80 feet from the panel, there is going to be voltage drop. I suggest you go up one conductor size in the wall (like 8AWG instead of 10AWG) and then reduce it back down to 10 or 12 AWG in a make-up box near the outlets so it can be connected to the receptacles. (Remember, it's only a 20A circuit, so you ARE allowed to reduce the wire size down to code size before the receptacle.)
.
jea48
4,425 posts
 
Teck5, what country do you live in?
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