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Dedicated circuit's' ? or one dedicated circuit?

Hello all, I am building a new dedicated sound room and I am trying to figure out if I should run several seperate dedicated circuits or run one dedicated 30 amp circuit to one outlet. Then run a power distribution strip (Furutech, Oyaide) from that single dedicated outlet. I would then plug all my components into the strip. 30 amps should be plenty to supply all of my components. My main goal/idea behind this layout is to keep it simple and to optimize the grounding. I know most people run a bunch of seperate dedicated lines, but I have talked to several very knowledgeable audio folks that say to run all components from one circuit. The problem, I would think, is finding audio grade outlets, plugs, connectors. I suppose the strip would have to have all 30 amp receptacles? and, of course, all of the power cords would have to have 30 amp male plugs? I don't know? Is this possible to do?

Does anyone have any input on this?

Appreciate all responses
128x128keithmundy
sufentanil's avatar
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sufentanil
782 posts
 
30 ampere outlets require very special 30A plugs. They're not common to see on typical audio equipment. I would use 20A circuits with 20A outlets; they are backward-compatible with 15A gear.

As to whether you should wire multiple ones, just keep in mind that different circuits might have a slightly different ground potential, and hence cause a ground loop (hum).

Michael
keithmundy's avatar
keithmundy OP
106 posts
 
Thanks guys for responding.

Ya, Sufentanil that is my goal - to keep it simple and more than anything - keep the potential for grounding problems to a minimium. That is the main reason I would run one bigger(30 amp)circuit - grounding.

I suppose 30 amps is over kill though, as every power distribution strip, balanced power, power conditioner, etc... is 20 amps. And apparently lots of folks plug all their stuff into one of those units and it works just fine.

I think probably what the guys that are running one 30 amp are doing is running the 30 amp into a 20 amp plug which I'm sure is not to code, but that's got to be what they are doing.

As I am coming to realize - running everything to 30 amp code would be a pain in the ass and a little unrealistic I suppose.

OK then. Thanks again for the responses
zargon's avatar
zargon
453 posts
 
A 30 amp circuit is an overkill, as I doubt you will every draw anyware near that much current. The only reason to run a 30 amp circuit is to gain from the larger size wire. You can run that size wire with a 20 amp breaker and 20 amp outlets and get the same benefit.
starcon
98 posts
 
how many things are to be plugged in? In my case I have 4 mono amps, digital, analog and electrostatics speakers--Therefore I put in 6 dedicated 20 amp circuits 1 for each amp and 1 for each power conditioner analog and digital.
Overkill but works great. The only need to increase wire size or go to 30 amps is for long runs. You probably can run 2 or 3 20A circuits for the price and hassel of 1 30A.
autosports
43 posts
 
A 30 amp circuit will not be overkill if you are doing arc welding or running other heaviy industrial machinery. If you are simply running audio components, its way overkill.
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