2. tech-talk
  3. 1292118655

AC Power - two circuits better than one?

Reorganizing my system starting from the wall receptacles (rewiring is not a possibility) but quickly ran into a conundrum. Is it better to source power for my audio system from several different circuits or one dedicated circuit?

More info: I have three possible options. Two 15 amp circuits (1 shared with a couple of lights the other with several wall receptacles including a pc) & one dedicated 20 amp circuit (but with only one single duplex outlet). I have mono blocks, power amp, preamps, digital & analog audio sources, & digital HT gear.

Should I distribute my system across these three circuits or try & source them all from the single dedicated 20 amp outlet? If distribute, what kind of break down makes sense?
salmonsc
Post removed 
salmonsc OP
66 posts
 
Actually, I had an electrician in on Friday - but as I wrote in my original post, rewiring is not a possibility. It's a very old house & not mine.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,606 posts
 
You should use the 15 amp circuits for all your gear with no problem.The 20 amp cicuit was used for something that draws higher current most likely A/C,clothes dryer,etc.A 15 amp circuit is about 1700 watts,no way does your gear come close to that much.
puerto
372 posts
 
Salmonsc: Thanks for this thread - I never realized this issue could arise. Without taking over your thread I would like to ask your respondents to comment on my situation - similar to yours.

I have 4 dedicated 20 amp circuits for the equipment including a pair of monos and an APC Power Conditioner for all the rest of the stuff. Circuits #1 and #3 are on one leg of the circuit breaker box and Circuits #2 and #4 are on the other leg of the circuit breaker box. The power conditioner is on Circuit #1 while the monos are on circuits #2 and #4 respectively. Have I created a potential problem for myself? Perhaps the monos should be both plugged into circuit #3?
jea48
4,393 posts
 
Circuits #1 and #3 are on one leg of the circuit breaker box and Circuits #2 and #4 are on the other leg of the circuit breaker box.
12-13-10: Puerto

Puerto,

Most if not all electrical panels made in, at least, the last 25 years have the odd number breaker space on the left hand side of the panel and the even numbers on the right hand side.

If that is the case for your panel then 1 & 2 are connected to Line 1 (leg). 3 & 4 are connected to Line 2.
You can verify at the receptacles with a volt meter. (See above post.)

Line 1 and line 2 alternate down each side of the panel.

Are you sure you have (4) dedicated branch circuits an not (4) separate circuits?

Dedicated branch circuits have their own hot, neutral, and equipment grounding conductor.

Where as for a single phase electrical panel found in most houses two separate branch circuits can share a neutral and equipment ground. In this case the two hot conductors must be install on opposite Lines, (legs).

Did you install the 4 circuits or did you hire an electrician? Were 4 dedicated branch circuits installed?

Example, four 12-2 W/ground Romex (NM-B) or two 12-3 W/grd Romex?
More to discover