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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
jea48
2,944 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.
jea48
2,944 posts
 
Gbart,

If you ran #10 awg wire would you terminate the wire on a 15 amp breaker? If so why?

If Louislovesemy uses 20 amp breakers, as you are aware, he can install 15 or 20 amp duplex recepts on the branch circuit. Why not install the max allowed branch circuit overcurrent device for two or more 15 amp recepts or a 20 amp recept/s.
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