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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
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Usually it is not problem to have video equipment on the same outlet, as most folks are not using both at the same time.
(Though I watch some Sunday football games with the sound off while listening to my stereo)
I have a huge pile of stuff on one 15 amp outlet, and do not have a problem.
IF I were you, I would put ALL the amplifiers/preamp/ receiver? on the 20. and everything else on the 15 and skip the last out of phase outlet.
I have all my amps/pre/receiver/Plasma from a Furman REF20i, and all my other stuff (digital) from a Monster 7000SS signature
salmonsc OP
66 posts
 
Thanks again for your input folks! I will endeavor to load as much as I can onto the 20amp outlet & the remainder onto the 15amp outlet. The difficulty is just physical connection - too many things for too few outlets (in the wrong places!). At a certain point daisy-chaining power strips - & running long power cords - starts to get problematic. That's why I was considering connecting the TV & DVR into the out of phase 15amp outlet.

I was planning on connecting the audio gear via a Monster AV2000 SS & the HT gear via a Monster HD3650. I would prefer to connect the mono blocks & power amp directly to the 20amp circuit via PS Audio duets to avoid the power limitation problems of surge protection/conditioning...
jea48
2,944 posts
 
Unfortunately, the configuration of outlets in the room on the same leg isn't exactly convenient.
12-12-10: Salmonsc

You could hire an electrician to move the circuit/s to a breaker space/s in the electrical panel so they would be on the same leg.

Cost?
It won't take an hour but that is usually the minimum charge.
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
2,678 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.
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