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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
jea48
2,944 posts
 
(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....
jea48
2,944 posts
 
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....
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Only 60 amps would blow the breaker the minute the stove and oven with the air conditioner, frige,and other stuff all on at once. I can see what is on the panel of the meter. there are TWO 60 amp each breakers for my apartment.
What is the problem?
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. 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.
Not that i am annoyed or anything...
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Jea,
I think I do. Here's the breakdown:
40 amps (bridged twin) for the oven
30 amps (bridged twin) for the washer/dryer
20 amps (bridged twin) for the AC
15 amps for the living room heater
15 amps (twin, not bridged - still confused what this means) for "lights." This one probably controls all of the outlets, but cannot test in now unless I want to incur my gf's wrath.
20 amps (twin, not bridged) for small appliances (fridge and kitchen outlets above the counter)
20 amps (twin, not bridged) for the dishwasher
20 amps (bridged twin) for the bedroom heaters

Not sure which one controls the bathroom outlets, however.
ska_man
55 posts
 
Actusreus,
Jea48 has more knowledge on this subject than I do. So, if
I say or recommend anything that differs from him, please follow his advice. That said....the bridged breakers are for 240 volt branch circuits. The twin (not bridged) breakers are for 2 independant 120 volt branch circuits.

The wall outlet that you want to plug the stereo into, will be fed by one of the 20 amp (non bridged) breakers.
With a 20 circuit you shouldn't have any problems running your stereo. To make sure, as I mentioned earlier, turn off the breaker that powers that particular outlet and check to see what else is on the same circuit. While doing so remember that each 20 amp breaker lever controls one circuit. Don't turn 2 off at at time, it will skew your results.
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