Power line question


I live in an apartment building that's relatively new (built in 1993). There are no visible power lines attached to the building, which leads me to believe the power lines are underground. The building has a dedicated line for air conditioners. I know very little about power outlets, wiring, amperes, etc. All I know it's 115 volts. Here's my question. I will be replacing my tube integrated power amp with tube monoblocks producing at least 150 watts per channel and a tubed preamp. I have seen occasionally discussions about the demand on the power line electronic equipment makes and parameters for dedicated lines and such. Should I worry about blowing fuses or overloading the power line with my new amplification? My gf and I triggered circuit breakers a few times in the past by using hair dryers simultaneously in our respective bathrooms, but once we stopped that practice, no other mishaps occurred. I have a basic power conditioner with 4 outlets, but that's about it. With my less than rudimentary knowledge of power delivery, I wouldn't even know where to start to answer my question so I thought I'd start here. Thank you for any advice.
actusreus

Showing 6 responses by jea48

Actusreus,

Easy as PIE....

P = I x E

p = power, watts, Va.

I = current, amps.

E = volts

To find (I) divide (P) by (E).

A 15 amp circuit should not be loaded more than 80% continuous load. 12 amps.... Or 1440 watts/Va....
(The meter breaker is a pair of 60amp each breakers)
03-07-11: Elizabeth
Elizabeth,

2 pole 60 amp main breaker? Then you have a 60 amp service....
It appears the lights in the apartment (judging from the list, this includes the power outlets), have a circuit with two separate breakers, each stating 15 on them. Does this mean there are actually two circuits of 15 amps each?
03-07-11: Actusreus
Actusreus,

Are you sure the building was built in 1993?
You should have a bare minimum of (2) 120V 20 amp branch circuits for the kitchen and at least (1) 120V branch circuit GFI protected for the bath room/s.

What you described is more representative of the 1960s and earlier....
Nice to know that some folks have esp and can tell from some other location what is or isn't somewhere else they have never been.
03-07-11: Elizabeth

I only went by what you posted Elizabeth.....

(The meter breaker is a pair of 60amp each breakers)
03-07-11: Elizabeth

And they also know i must be wrong even though I AM here and looked at the box and can read. Sounds like you bought the "teleportation tweak" and think it applies to your brain.

Who said you were wrong!

(The meter breaker is a pair of 60amp each breakers)
03-07-11: Elizabeth
If you have ONE TWO POLE 60 amp breaker at the meter for your apartment then you have a 60 amp service.

Do YOU only have ONE TWO POLE 60 amp breaker feeding your apartment? OR did I read your post wrong....
Elizabeth,

No need to apologize we all have our days.....

Al pretty much summed it up in his post.

I should have added in my post to you that indeed from each hot leg to neutral, (120V), there is an availability of up to 60 amps minus any 240V connected load/s. I guess in my mind it was a given we both understood that and we were in agreement.
Jim