Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Power requirements for a new amp

I am thinking about adding a new amp to my system. Basically, I want to move in the direction of separates in the future and I think now is a good time for getting started on building with some amps. My question is this: do amps require any type of sepecial requirements? Right now I have a surge protector, but should I be looking at something more? Lastly, my setup is in the basement, which also includes my wife's home office. Usually, I can watch a movie while she works in her office, but if we turn on an extra power source (say my computer or a space heater), we usually blow a fuse. Would adding an amp cause too much of a strain and should I look at upgrading the power in my basement?

Time to upgrade power in that basement. The amp probably won't pull that much, but you probably don't want to be blowing fuses on $10K+ worth of equipment.

Breakers are a mechanical devise. If one never trips, they’ll last forever. But once you overload a curtuit causing the breaker to open, the thermals become fatigued and are more prone to failure. Look at it this way, the first time it tripped, it took 22 amps of current. The next time it will take 18 amps, then 15, then pretty soon it will take 5 amps.

You may just need to replace the breaker. Or did you really mean fuse? If you have fuses, then you’re home must be pretty old and an electrical re-wire might be needed.

Oh, and to address your specific question, a 15 amp circuit is more than enough – provided you don’t overload it with high wattage devises (like hair dryers).

I meant breaker. My house is only 25 years old (pretty young for NJ) and the wiring was upgraded by the previous owners. I think the problem is that the space heater I use during the winter is high wattage. I never have a problem if it is off and my HT and two computers are running at the same time. Thanks for the advice.

That is the wife's suggestion. I think I will hold off on any new HT purchases until we get a handyman to help us with the power.