kenratboy Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 ...the receiver takes 1000 watts max, TV takes a few hundred, subwoofer takes a ~300 watts max, etc. 15A X 120V = 1,800 W, correct? Can I just shove a copper bar into the breaker box and have as many amps as I want Anyone blow a 15 amp breaker with a normal HT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 Remember also that your receiver probably isn't taking 1000 watts all the time, and the peaks it requires would be dampened a bit by the capacitors in the power supply (if they're still using those). So even at max volume, the 1000 watt input isn't that way long enough to heat up your home's wiring. Same with the Sub amp. Perhaps there's an engineer type here who can give us a guide line for how much 'overage' we can have and not trip the breakers. Many of the guys here have a 20 amp line installed when remodeling or doing a basement HT. It requires a heavier than normal line between the circuit box and outlets. The 20 amp outlets are recognizeable because one of the 'blade' sockets is in the shape of a 'T'. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooper Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 I've got a 1000W sub, 7x200W amplifiers + RPTV + preamp + DVD + HDTV box + CD changer + misc and have never tripped the breaker even when I left the basement and cranked the volume from upstairs (while my wife's crazy uncle stayed in there "to see how loud it will go"). Music and movies vary so much they should just never trip a breaker - although I'm sure someone will chime in that they've done it at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 Ken- The electrical system in your home and your hometheater do not work like that. You really have nothing to worry about unless you are running a dryer, a washer, a microwave, and your stereo on the same breaker at the same time. I wouldn't worry about a thing, even during large peaks your system will have no audible effects due to the volatge regulation circuits within your equipment. Also keep in mind that you are in DC within your electronics which is running at a very low amperage and your wall is AC running at a much higher amperage. If you are really concerned I would consider buying a voltage regulator/conditioner from TripLite. It will cost you about a $175.00 from partsexpress.com. Good Luck- George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 House wiring has a 1 hour trip time at 200% of rated current. IOW a 15A circuit will pass 30A for about an hour. 30A is 3.6KW at 120V. Because of duty cycle in music (peak-to-average ratio), you can probably get 7.2KW on program material out of a 15A 120V circuit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenratboy Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 ---------------- On 4/21/2005 4:30:05 PM djk wrote: House wiring has a 1 hour trip time at 200% of rated current. IOW a 15A circuit will pass 30A for about an hour. 30A is 3.6KW at 120V. Because of duty cycle in music (peak-to-average ratio), you can probably get 7.2KW on program materiel out of a 15A 120V circuit. ---------------- Well that settles that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedball Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 Ken, My boss authorized the use of 3/4" copper pipe one time to save money. Sounds like a shotgun when it lets go P.S. ....Do Not Do This! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 Thanks DJK, looks like we all have plenty to spare. So start picking up more amps boys! Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 Ken, Most of the time, you will be under 1 watt for each speaker. Dynamic peaks will draw from the caps in your amp most of the time. I suspect that loud movies will not get close to 1800 watts on a steady basis. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 ---------------- On 4/21/2005 2:57:26 PM kenratboy wrote: ...the receiver takes 1000 watts ... subwoofer takes a ~300 watts ---------------- I say you need a bigger sub... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picky Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Ken: I have a 20-AMP homerun circuit dedicated solely to my entire equipment rack. It feeds my Tripp Lite LCR 2400 Power Conditioner (20-AMP Load capacity), which in turn, feeds every component (it has 14, 15-AMP outlets) in the theater, including the projector. I have never had a tripped breaker! NEVER! It AIN'T PURDY, but it gets the job done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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