What's the correct plug for 20Amp power cord?


I just bought a 20Amp JPS Labs PowerAC+ for a dedicated 20Amp line. It will be used with an Equitech 2Q line conditioner. It has the requisite 20Amp IEC connector but the plug is of the standard 15Amp type. My wall receptacle is of the dual configuration and is rated for 20Amps along with the in-wall wire and circuit breaker. Can I still use this pc and get 20Amps or should the wall plug necessarily have a horizontal and vertical prong to work as a 20Amp cord? Sorry for my ignorance.

Thanks,
robal

Showing 1 response by eldartford

A "20 amp" plug won't give you more power than a 15 amp one. The power drawn depends on the load (your amp). A draw of 20 amps would mean 2300 watts. If your amp were only 50 percent efficient it would be putting out more than 1100 watts...continuously! Your equipment can't draw enough power to overheat a 15 amp plug.

Audiophiles like to use oversized wire so as to minimize voltage drop. The fact that such wire could carry high current (which is why most people use large wire) is irrelevant.