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Power Question

The 1201's won't draw alot until you really step on it. The MC1.2KW's, if you can imagine sound even better & are more efficient.
 
jwcullison said:
I don't want to steal this thread but I am interested with the same topic.

I was thinking that 2 20amp circuits would be generous. Is that not enough. I have only one in my audio room now. Heck....it might be even 15 amps.

Any validity for having these installed?:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=110-439

jc
Click to expand...

Originally I ran a single 20 amp circuit for my system. I had everything plugged into a Monster PowerCenter. After reading some of the posts here on AK, I decided to run a 2nd circuit just for my MC500 amp, and upgraded the recepticles to hospital grade outlets. These provide a much better, tighter connection both for feed wires & the appliances that plug into them and they're only about $20. Highly recommended! :thmbsp:
 
taylode..... I know a little bit about this subject, being a retired electrical contractor and electrician of 30+ years.

Two dedicated 120 volt, 20 amp single phase circuits will provide the the current requirements for the equipment outlined. Keep in mind, continuous duty circuits, those used continuously for longer than two hours at a time, should not be loaded greater than 80% of the circuit breaker rating according to the National Electrical Code. For a 20 amp circuit, that would be a maximum of 16 amps. One dedicated 20 amp circuit will safely handle two MC501 amps. The second 20 amp dedicted circuit will provide enough current (remember the continuous duty rule - 80%) for the other amps, and remaining equipment since each piece is a low current load, with the exception of the plasma screen, but should still be fine with the other gear on a single circuit. The Richard Gray Power Conditioners will keep everything clean and quiet, one for each of the two circuits.

In my opinion, future power requirements will be limited using only two dedicated 20 amp circuits. Since the addition of another dedicated circuit during the construction phase is considerably easier and less expensive, I would add a third 20 amp dedicated outlet for future use. If you ever upgrade to larger amps, or more amps, etc., you will be pleased to have that third circuit available. If you use the MC1201's instead of 501's, the third circuit would be essential.

One final suggestion. It is wise to install commercial grade surge protection at your main panel as well. Clamping surges before they travel through the house wiring is a major benifit. I have two dedicated circuits for my system (wish I had installed three). Besides commercial grade surge protection at my panel, I installed Pass & Seymore hospital grade surge protection outlets at the wall. One can never have enough surge protection living in Florida.
 
masterlu said:
The 1201's won't draw alot until you really step on it. The MC1.2KW's, if you can imagine sound even better & are more efficient.
Click to expand...

Figuring it wont take a lot of power to run the 800D's what do you think the average load would be using the 1201's.

I mean potentially 7.5amps full out, but that would be a Rolling Stones concert to achieve that.

I may need to rethink the upgrade as I invested in a TSI power regulator rated to 20amps @ 230V

2x1201 = 15amp
1x501 = 3.3amp
1x252 = 3.0 amp ?
Rest sys= 3 amp maybe

= 24+ amps possibility
 
I have a friend in Switzerland who has 2x1201 1x402 1x501 and all on a 16 amp 230V circuit and never a problem. And He is head of an electrical company. He said I will never be near the max no how and not to worry.

So I aint gonna worry:)
 
jdandy said:
taylode..... I know a little bit about this subject, being a retired electrical contractor and electrician of 30+ years.

Two dedicated 120 volt, 20 amp single phase circuits will provide the the current requirements for the equipment outlined. Keep in mind, continuous duty circuits, those used continuously for longer than two hours at a time, should not be loaded greater than 80% of the circuit breaker rating according to the National Electrical Code. For a 20 amp circuit, that would be a maximum of 16 amps. One dedicated 20 amp circuit will safely handle two MC501 amps. The second 20 amp dedicted circuit will provide enough current (remember the continuous duty rule - 80%) for the other amps, and remaining equipment since each piece is a low current load, with the exception of the plasma screen, but should still be fine with the other gear on a single circuit. The Richard Gray Power Conditioners will keep everything clean and quiet, one for each of the two circuits.

In my opinion, future power requirements will be limited using only two dedicated 20 amp circuits. Since the addition of another dedicated circuit during the construction phase is considerably easier and less expensive, I would add a third 20 amp dedicated outlet for future use. If you ever upgrade to larger amps, or more amps, etc., you will be pleased to have that third circuit available. If you use the MC1201's instead of 501's, the third circuit would be essential.

One final suggestion. It is wise to install commercial grade surge protection at your main panel as well. Clamping surges before they travel through the house wiring is a major benifit. I have two dedicated circuits for my system (wish I had installed three). Besides commercial grade surge protection at my panel, I installed Pass & Seymore hospital grade surge protection outlets at the wall. One can never have enough surge protection living in Florida.
Click to expand...

What Surge protection at the panel are you using?
 
jvining said:
What Surge protection at the panel are you using?
Click to expand...

I have the Ditek Residential Surge Arrestor installed in my electrical panel. The model number is DTK-120/240SA. It is serious protection, made in Largo, Florida. In addition to my main panel, I have a sub-panel installed in my home studio. I have a Square-D surge arrestor on that panel.

Prior to installing the Ditek Surge Arrestor on my main panel, I lost a satellite receiver, a computer, and a answering machine to surges from near by lightning strikes. I have lost nothing since, and it has been over ten years.

I also use Pass & Seymore surge protection receptacles everywhere I have electronics plugged in, including the outlet for my microwave in the kitchen. I live in a high lightnig area, and when the storms roll through here it can get scary in a hurry.

One of the biggest culprits of current surge is when utility power is interupted momentarily, then returns. Every home on the electrical grid begins to consume power back immediately, and the current surges can be extremely high. That off and on power problem is tough on equipment. I solve most of that problem with uninteruptable power supply units (UPS). I have eight UPS units backing up computers, flat panel screens, stereos, and studio gear. It's cheap insurance against very costly repairs or replacements.
 
jdandy said:
taylode..... I know a little bit about this subject, being a retired electrical contractor and electrician of 30+ years.

Two dedicated 120 volt, 20 amp single phase circuits will provide the the current requirements for the equipment outlined. Keep in mind, continuous duty circuits, those used continuously for longer than two hours at a time, should not be loaded greater than 80% of the circuit breaker rating according to the National Electrical Code. For a 20 amp circuit, that would be a maximum of 16 amps. One dedicated 20 amp circuit will safely handle two MC501 amps. The second 20 amp dedicted circuit will provide enough current (remember the continuous duty rule - 80%) for the other amps, and remaining equipment since each piece is a low current load, with the exception of the plasma screen, but should still be fine with the other gear on a single circuit. The Richard Gray Power Conditioners will keep everything clean and quiet, one for each of the two circuits.

In my opinion, future power requirements will be limited using only two dedicated 20 amp circuits. Since the addition of another dedicated circuit during the construction phase is considerably easier and less expensive, I would add a third 20 amp dedicated outlet for future use. If you ever upgrade to larger amps, or more amps, etc., you will be pleased to have that third circuit available. If you use the MC1201's instead of 501's, the third circuit would be essential.

One final suggestion. It is wise to install commercial grade surge protection at your main panel as well. Clamping surges before they travel through the house wiring is a major benifit. I have two dedicated circuits for my system (wish I had installed three). Besides commercial grade surge protection at my panel, I installed Pass & Seymore hospital grade surge protection outlets at the wall. One can never have enough surge protection living in Florida.
Click to expand...

Thanks that's really good information. Since I posted this and visited Ivan, I've revised both equipment and power. Currently, I'm planning to have 5 20-amp circuits installed in it's own dedicated panel. Hopefully, that will be enough to provide for however I ultimately evolve the system.
 
jdandy said:
I have the Ditek Residential Surge Arrestor installed in my electrical panel. The model number is DTK-120/240SA. It is serious protection, made in Largo, Florida. In addition to my main panel, I have a sub-panel installed in my home studio. I have a Square-D surge arrestor on that panel.

Prior to installing the Ditek Surge Arrestor on my main panel, I lost a satellite receiver, a computer, and a answering machine to surges from near by lightning strikes. I have lost nothing since, and it has been over ten years.

I also use Pass & Seymore surge protection receptacles everywhere I have electronics plugged in, including the outlet for my microwave in the kitchen. I live in a high lightnig area, and when the storms roll through here it can get scary in a hurry.

One of the biggest culprits of current surge is when utility power is interupted momentarily, then returns. Every home on the electrical grid begins to consume power back immediately, and the current surges can be extremely high. That off and on power problem is tough on equipment. I solve most of that problem with uninteruptable power supply units (UPS). I have eight UPS units backing up computers, flat panel screens, stereos, and studio gear. It's cheap insurance against very costly repairs or replacements.
Click to expand...

Thanks for good info Dan and I know what you mean living in Florida myself. . . . .just curious any reason why you did not use Square D on both panels?
 
I use the Ditek because it is industrial strength, but actually has a fairly reasonable price. The Sq-D surge arrestor is in thier HomeLine products that Sq-D manufactures, and though it is a fairly good unit, specs don't hold a candle to the Ditek. Sq-D industrial strength surge arrestors are serious money. Besides, my studio sub-panel is fed from a circuit breaker in my main panel, so it is really a second line of defense. I have so much gear, amps, mixers, digital recorders, computers, LCD monitors, rack mounted equipment, tape recorders, keyboard, powered speakers, etc., that I felt a little extra protection would not hurt me one bit. Like I said, it's cheap insurance, and it provides me some additional level of comfort.
 
jvining said:
Thanks for good info Dan and I know what you mean living in Florida myself. . . . .
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Yea, Lutz, Tampa, St. Pete, and Palm Harbor all get serious thunderstorms with major lightning when storms roll in off the Gulf of Mexico. You guys are no strangers to lightning. The lightning capital of the United States is Ozona, Florida, north of Clearwater. I don't know what it is about the place, but they get more lightning strikes there annually than anywhere else in the country. Largo, Florida, where Ditek surge arrestors are manufactured, is right in the same area. I'm certain Ditek has no problem testing thier stuff under real world conditions.
 
Used to live in Springhill, we had our share there as well.

Of course it took moving to Coral Springs for the house to actually get hit. :yes:
 
masterlu said:
Used to live in Springhill, we had our share there as well.

Of course it took moving to Coral Springs for the house to actually get hit. :yes:
Click to expand...

I have never taken a direct hit on the house, thank God. My home is two stories, in the middle of 17 acres with nothing but big oaks and 85 foot pines all around me. Lightning has hit any number of my oaks through the years, peeling the bark right off the side of the tree on its way to the ground. The tall pines get hit every now and then, too. Lightning usually kills the pines, but somehow the oaks seem to survive. I hope I never take a lightning hit to the house.
 
The peak of my 2-story took a pretty big hit 3 years ago. It blew the Tiles all over the driveway, luckilly missing my daily drivers.

Aside from a blown playstation, dimmer & a very white Son; everything was fine.

Those Firemen had some pretty cool heat scanners parading through the house.

My wife & I were out for dinner at the time. What a feeling pulling up to your house and seeing 20 or so Fire, Police, & special units all over your property.

That is why I own so many RGPC products, and Surgex, and Furman, and FPL's whole house protection.
 
Geez Ivan......coming home to fire trucks in your yard. Man, that will tighten up the anal cavity in a hurry.
 
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