why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
|
OP
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
I hear lots of folks say they have a separate 20 amp circuit ran for their theater rooms... Just wondering why this is done?
From a wiring standpoint what does this involve? Separate wire runs for the room tied back to its own spot on the breaker? A special 20 amp fuse?
Thanks.
-David
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
|
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
Yes, when we say we have a seperate 20 amp circuit for our AV room stuff, it means we have a dedicated 20amp breaker and wiring run to that room.
People don't want refrigerators, humidifiers, lights from other rooms, etc. running on the same circuit and possibly causing interference. Plus, for some people, once you start adding the amps taken when everything is on and pushed to the limits, you want all those amps used for your equipment.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,749 Likes: 37
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,749 Likes: 37 |
It would probably be better to run at least 2 and maybe 3 dedicated 20 amp lines for HT.
65" Mitsubishi Diamond 1080p 3 Yamaha M80 2 channel amplifiers 1 Integra M504 2 channel amplifier Integra Processor all the rest of the stuff.
That's a lot of watts.
Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 562
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 562 |
People don't want refrigerators, humidifiers, lights from other rooms, etc. running on the same circuit and possibly causing interference.
(woo hoo, my sister-in-law let me use her laptop. ) I always wondered why the HT (w/o external amps) would need more than a 15 amp circuit. I forgot about all the 'other stuff poaching on the HT circuit'! I will check what is actually on that circuit. If it is only lights and no fridge (compressor has high amp draw at start up), HVAC, etc., it may be ok. I could even add up the wattage of all lights on that circuit. But realistically, all lights would be off for most HT viewing.
Dave
"In theory, practice and theory are the same. In practice they're not."
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 562
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 562 |
It would probably be better to run at least 2 and maybe 3 dedicated 20 amp lines for HT.
65" Mitsubishi Diamond 1080p 3 Yamaha M80 2 channel amplifiers 1 Integra M504 2 channel amplifier Integra Processor all the rest of the stuff.
That's a lot of watts. But before I'd go through the expense/ hastle of adding one or more dedicated circuits (especially if you planned on paying an electrician!), to check what was on that circuit. IF no appliances on it AND you do not have separates (just an AVR), you would probably be OK, right? As long as the amps neede at any particular time by the HT is available, is there any reason to add a second dedicated circuit. Purist's would say yes. But purists would likely have bigger or more amps than us AVR only folks. Hmmmn, I wil see what my 73" Misub DLP draws. If it and my 1909 add up to 10+ amps, I may take al the above back!
Dave
"In theory, practice and theory are the same. In practice they're not."
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
|
OP
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
Thanks for the info. I am in the process of looking at homes to buy, (actually I am considering having one built from a local builder.) The home would not have a separate theater room (floor plan I am looking at is only 1450 SF total), but am wondering if I should have anything special done from an electrical standpoint in the living room for my gear. I would like to add a separate amp (axiom) and an ep800 to my epic 80/500 5.1 system at somepoint in the (probably distant) future. I already plan on having wiring for 5.1 surround ran through the living room (with a subwoofer cable ran to the back corner of the room). I can plug a sub in the front straight into the receiver and use the wired sub outlet to place a sub in the back eventually. Again, this is really just speculation at this point since I am not sure when I will be buying a house and if I would even go with new construction or purchase an existing home.
-David
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 130
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 130 |
I have my two subs, HK247 avr, ps3, xbox360, Optoma Projector, dvd player and motorolla settop box all on one 15a dedicated circuit. Have not had any problems or trips as of yet. I had an electrician install it this last summer when I was getting my two subs. I actually told him to do a 20a circuit, but found out he only did a 15a. No problems here though.
2 = M60,4 = QS8's,1 = VP150,1 = EP350,1 = EP500 HK247 Optoma HD70,110" DIY screen Xbox360 & PS3
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,210
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,210 |
The only reason I have a couple (four) dedicated 20 amp circuits for our room is that prior to becoming our TV room it was a screened room with an in ground spa that had it's own breaker box separate and on the opposite side of the house from the main breaker box, it's pretty slick because the entire TV room is electrically separate and isolated from the remainder of the house.
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
You also want to home run both neutral and line conductors from the receptacle back to the panel. Most home wiring circuits share neutrals, so you will get feedback from lighting circuits. Florescent are horrible…
|
|
|
Re: why separate 20 amp circuit?
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 562
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 562 |
The only reason I have a couple (four) dedicated 20 amp circuits for our room is that prior to becoming our TV room it was a screened room with an in ground spa that had it's own breaker box separate and on the opposite side of the house from the main breaker box, it's pretty slick because the entire TV room is electrically separate and isolated from the remainder of the house. Dedicated 20 amp circuits are for wimpy systems. Rick has 220v baby!
Dave
"In theory, practice and theory are the same. In practice they're not."
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics24,945
Posts442,479
Members15,617
|
Most Online2,082 Jan 22nd, 2020
|
|
0 members (),
1,353
guests, and
2
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|