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Enough power?

post #1 of 12
1/15/07 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 
1 week left before I install my new HT and I just thought of a potential problem:

Do I have enough power?

I have a Panasonic 42PX60U and Onkyo SR604 with the Polk 6750

I'm a little concerned when sometimes I run the space heater and the vaccum cleaner in the same room, the breaker trips.

I just don't want to run into the situation where I can't watch TV and heat the room up at the same time...

Any thoughts?
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post #2 of 12
1/16/07 at 6:29am
its better performance wise, to run a dedicated line for your home theater equipment only.

I have a similar situation, and my breaker trips so we have to be careful what gets plugged into certain outlets when the tv and amps and subs are all on.

So now i'm going to run a dedicated 20amp line from my breaker box just to power my theater.
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post #3 of 12
1/16/07 at 1:20pm
Buknakyd is on the right track. A lot of people run dedicated 20 amp circuits to their home theater equipment. I've also seen instances where they will run (2) 20 amp circuits, depending on the equipment (and placement).
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post #4 of 12
1/16/07 at 7:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by misterkit View Post

Buknakyd is on the right track. A lot of people run dedicated 20 amp circuits to their home theater equipment. I've also seen instances where they will run (2) 20 amp circuits, depending on the equipment (and placement).

I actually have three 20A and one 15A

(2) 20A for the two subs,
(1) 20A for the equipment rack,
(1) 15A for the projector.

It's almost overkill, but this way I can expand to whatever gear I want without fear of having problems with anything else in the house.
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post #5 of 12
1/17/07 at 4:05am
I finished installing my power just yesterday.

For my sub, I ran a 15 amp circuit--alone. For the rest of the equipment, it gets a dedicated 20 amp circuit.
I also just purchased a UPS unit to connect to the projector. In case of a power failure, the bulb will still be able to cool down.
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post #6 of 12
1/17/07 at 8:18am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the responses...can I just get by for now with a 15 amp circuit?
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post #7 of 12
1/17/07 at 10:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by uncming View Post

Thanks for the responses...can I just get by for now with a 15 amp circuit?

If you're running a new circuit, there is almost no cost difference between 15A/14 ga and 20A/12 ga. Given that you're already having problems with tripping the breaker, I think I'd go with the 20A.

You might also think about a dedicated outlet for the space heater. This is probably the main culprit.
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post #8 of 12
1/17/07 at 12:51pm
Thread Starter 
Hi MauneyM

We're not planning to run any new circuits (15 amp circuit it what we have in that room) to that room, though it might be something to think about in the future.

For now, I'll probably have to run the space heater out of another outlet

Thanks everyone
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post #9 of 12
1/17/07 at 7:37pm
Try to find another outlet thats on a different circuit....
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post #10 of 12
1/19/07 at 9:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MauneyM View Post

... there is almost no cost difference between 15A/14 ga and 20A/12 ga.

Actually there is about 20-30% difference in price just for the wire.
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post #11 of 12
1/19/07 at 10:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by timmy_mpls View Post

Actually there is about 20-30% difference in price just for the wire.

Sure, but compared to the price of the labor, breaker, etc., the difference in wire cost becomes a very small percentage of the total. If, for example, you're looking at a $40K basement project, adding a couple of 20A circuits will probably be the least expensive 'upgrade' you will consider.
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post #12 of 12
1/19/07 at 12:03pm
But thats not the situation of your previously quoted post.

Regardless, 2 20A circuits for equipment and heat/vacuum purposes and a 20A for lighting will be sufficient in my "room". I got a great deal on my supplies so it will end up being very cheap to wire it up!
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