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
jea48
4,425 posts
 
These circuits have three wires each - Hot, Neutral and Ground.
12-18-10: Puerto

Puerto,

If that is the case then you have 4 dedicated circuits.....
Each circuit has its own hot, neutral, and equipment ground.

Each of the (4) duplex receptacle has its own hot, neutral, and equipment ground conductors.

Total numbers of wires from the electrical panel to the audio equipment receptacles:
(4) hot conductors
(4) neutral conductors
(4) equipment grounding conductors

Correct?
.
puerto
372 posts
 
Yep, that's correct on all counts!
louislovesemy's avatar
louislovesemy
2 posts
 
I was actually just discussing this issue with my local audio store. I'm in the middle of building my home theatre. 3 mc 501's in the front. The dealer recommended i run three seperate 15amp lines from the box using 10 guage wire. He added that this would reduce noise pollution and create better over all sound to my 501's. He also said that i should run a seperate 15amp circuit with the 10 guage wire for the rest of the gear rack which is placed in back of the room. Can anyone help me,, will i really b safe and happy doing this?
jea48
4,425 posts
 
Louislovesemy,

Sounds good except use 20 amp breakers instead of 15 amp.
Most audio grade receptacles are 20 amp. (NEMA 5-20R). Technically per NEC code a 20 amp receptacle can not be installed on a 15 amp branch circuit.
gbart
290 posts
 
I don't know if I will go so far as to say MOST audio grade receptacles are 20A. :-) The only 20A receptacle Oyaide makes is the R-1. All their other models are 15A. Isoclean only makes 15A receptacles. The other manufacturers, PS Audio, Wattgate, Furutech, Acme, etc. make 15A and 20A receptacles in more or less equal quantities.
More to discover