XPR-5 Unboxing

[LCSeminole]

Jul 8, 2012 10:48:47 GMT -5 jordo said:

In my experience, I had an Oppo BDP-83, Onkyo 805, Panny PJ, 2x XPA-1 and XPA-5, 2 subs and 3 buttkickers, all powered by a single 15A outlet, with voltage/amp indication and I NEVER seen the total amps go over 8A, and that was with the XPA-1's almost in the red. If you want an easy way to run the XPR's to a 15A circuit see this...
www.infinitecables.com/pop/pw-121.htm

If the new XPR power amplifiers were built to run on a regular 15a circuit, then Emotiva wouldn't have used as Lonnie stated, "a dedicated 20a IEC" on the amp. I just want to use an XPR to it's capabilities when the occasion arises and don't want to be limited by electrical current.

[paintedklown]

This thread has turned into a seriously great lesson in electricity (at least for me) TONS of great info to be found here.

I have never done this before in my life, but I am going to do it now. I am making the motion to turn this thread into a sticky. ;D

The non-informational posts (such as this one) can be edited out by the mods, and the thread title can be altered to read "XPR-5 Un-boxing and electrical considerations"...or something to that effect. ;D

...just saying.

[ekdream]

+1

Jul 8, 2012 11:37:27 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

This thread has turned into a seriously great lesson in electricity (at least for me) TONS of great info to be found here.

I have never done this before in my life, but I am going to do it now. I am making the motion to turn this thread into a sticky. ;D

The non-informational posts (such as this one) can be edited out by the mods, and the thread title can be altered to read "XPR-5 Un-boxing and electrical considerations"...or something to that effect. ;D

...just saying.

[briank]

Jul 8, 2012 11:25:57 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Jul 8, 2012 10:48:47 GMT -5 jordo said:

In my experience, I had an Oppo BDP-83, Onkyo 805, Panny PJ, 2x XPA-1 and XPA-5, 2 subs and 3 buttkickers, all powered by a single 15A outlet, with voltage/amp indication and I NEVER seen the total amps go over 8A, and that was with the XPA-1's almost in the red. If you want an easy way to run the XPR's to a 15A circuit see this...
www.infinitecables.com/pop/pw-121.htm

If the new XPR power amplifiers were built to run on a regular 15a circuit, then Emotiva wouldn't have used as Lonnie stated, "a dedicated 20a IEC" on the amp. I just want to use an XPR to it's capabilities when the occasion arises and don't want to be limited by electrical current.

Good point but you hinted at an even more important point earlier. The XPR might work fine and without problems on a 15 amp circuit with an adaptor, however, if it were to cause a fire and burn your house down, your insurance company would very likely not cover your home if you do something against code or against the requirements as indicated on household applicances including amps. Not to mention endangering your family. Yes, I work in insurance and as an underwriter I would cancel the insureds policy if they were making any modifications against code or against equipment requiirements. So just spend the few hundred dollars for a licensed electrician to safely run your 20 amp circuits so you can maximize the potential of your new amp and not worry about any safety issues or insurance coverage problems. If you are using an adaptor without a 15 amp fuse in it or doing any "funny" modifications to make it work, please pm me your name and homeowners policy number. ;D

[RightinLA]

Jul 8, 2012 11:25:57 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Jul 8, 2012 10:48:47 GMT -5 jordo said:

In my experience, I had an Oppo BDP-83, Onkyo 805, Panny PJ, 2x XPA-1 and XPA-5, 2 subs and 3 buttkickers, all powered by a single 15A outlet, with voltage/amp indication and I NEVER seen the total amps go over 8A, and that was with the XPA-1's almost in the red. If you want an easy way to run the XPR's to a 15A circuit see this...
www.infinitecables.com/pop/pw-121.htm

If the new XPR power amplifiers were built to run on a regular 15a circuit, then Emotiva wouldn't have used as Lonnie stated, "a dedicated 20a IEC" on the amp. I just want to use an XPR to it's capabilities when the occasion arises and don't want to be limited by electrical current.

Jordo has a good point. Due to diversity of loads, it is unlikely that the XPR-5 amp would draw more than 15 amps for any significant duration when listening at moderate levels in a typical home. The capacitors in the amp would provide the peaking currents.

It is doubtful that a home user would drive this amp to anywhere near its capabilities. Emotiva needed to provide the 20A cord for NEC code and liability reasons because the amp in theory running at its max on all channels would in fact draw that high current.
For practical usage however, I seriously doubt this would be the case.

[paintedklown]

Stupid question here, but I was wondering if it is safe (for your houses' sake, and the electronics) to run all of your gear on a 20a line?

Should this be avoided if possible?

Is it a good idea because all of your gear would be getting plenty of juice?

I am not very well versed in electric, but I did read a review that mentioned running the XPA-1s on a dedicated 20a circuit. The reasoning was that when they are pushed REALLY hard, the extra current would come in handy.

[Jim]

Jul 8, 2012 11:57:30 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

Stupid question here, but I was wondering if it is safe (for your houses' sake, and the electronics) to run all of your gear on a 20a line?

Should this be avoided if possible?

Is it a good idea because all of your gear would be getting plenty of juice?

I am not very well versed in electric, but I did read a review that mentioned running the XPA-1s on a dedicated 20a circuit. The reasoning was that when they are pushed REALLY hard, the extra current would come in handy.

Depends on what your running....

My advice and then I'll stop mentioning it -- is measure it. (ie, killawatt - www.p3international.com/products/special/p4400/p4400-ce.html ) Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Killawatt... It's just a cheap convenient way to measure it. An Ammeter works well too if you know what you're doing. It shows real time wattage, amperage, voltage, frequency, PF, etc.


In an ideal world, you have a couple circuits that exceed your needs -- you end up with less voltage drop and no risk of nuisance tripping breakers.

At the moment my 3 XPA-1s are on a 15A, plans are for that to change... But I've never tripped the breaker.

[paintedklown]

Jul 8, 2012 12:01:54 GMT -5 Jim said:

Jul 8, 2012 11:57:30 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

Stupid question here, but I was wondering if it is safe (for your houses' sake, and the electronics) to run all of your gear on a 20a line?

Should this be avoided if possible?

Is it a good idea because all of your gear would be getting plenty of juice?

I am not very well versed in electric, but I did read a review that mentioned running the XPA-1s on a dedicated 20a circuit. The reasoning was that when they are pushed REALLY hard, the extra current would come in handy.

Depends on what your running....

My advice and then I'll stop mentioning it -- is measure it. (ie, killawatt - www.p3international.com/products/special/p4400/p4400-ce.html ) Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Killawatt... It's just a cheap convenient way to measure it. An Ammeter works well too if you know what you're doing. It shows real time wattage, amperage, voltage, frequency, PF, etc.


In an ideal world, you have a couple circuits that exceed your needs -- you end up with less voltage drop and no risk of nuisance tripping breakers.

At the moment my 3 XPA-1s are on a 15A, plans are for that to change... But I've never tripped the breaker.

I was running everything you see listed in my signature. I had the XPA-1s plugged straight to the wall, and everything else plugged into a "6 way" plug (not a channel strip, but a flat device that plugs into both outlets on a receptacle and has 6 outlets on it) without any issues or breakers tripping, ever. I am not sure if these receptacles were on different breakers (or whatever the terminology is ) or if they were just one line that was feeding two outlets...I hope that makes sense.

The only reason I asked, is because I always wondered if I was "choking" my XPA amps at the "plug in". ;D

EDIT: The projector was in a different receptacle along the back wall, along with a lamp.

[LCSeminole]

Jul 8, 2012 11:42:43 GMT -5 briank said:

Jul 8, 2012 11:25:57 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

If the new XPR power amplifiers were built to run on a regular 15a circuit, then Emotiva wouldn't have used as Lonnie stated, "a dedicated 20a IEC" on the amp. I just want to use an XPR to it's capabilities when the occasion arises and don't want to be limited by electrical current.

Good point but you hinted at an even more important point earlier. The XPR might work fine and without problems on a 15 amp circuit with an adaptor, however, if it were to cause a fire and burn your house down, your insurance company would very likely not cover your home if you do something against code or against the requirements as indicated on household applicances including amps. Not to mention endangering your family. Yes, I work in insurance and as an underwriter I would cancel the insureds policy if they were making any modifications against code or against equipment requiirements. So just spend the few hundred dollars for a licensed electrician to safely run your 20 amp circuits so you can maximize the potential of your new amp and not worry about any safety issues or insurance coverage problems. If you are using an adaptor or doing any "funny" modifications to make it work, please pm me your name and homeowners policy number. ;D

Brian,

I'm pretty sure you are referring to "jordo", but just to be clear, I have not in any way suggested using any piece of equipment that is manufactured to run at its optimum on a 20a circuit, to be used primarily on a 15a circuit. Just making this clear as I will only plug an XPR series power amplifier, when I do own one, into a dedicated 20a circuit.

[DYohn]

IMO, running a dedicated circuit for HT or music use is always a good idea, and if you're going to pay for a new breaker/Romex/outlets etc. then put in a 20-amp circuit or two no matter what type of system you plan. There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to available power.

[LCSeminole]

Jul 8, 2012 11:57:30 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

Stupid question here, but I was wondering if it is safe (for your houses' sake, and the electronics) to run all of your gear on a 20a line?

Should this be avoided if possible?

Is it a good idea because all of your gear would be getting plenty of juice?

I am not very well versed in electric, but I did read a review that mentioned running the XPA-1s on a dedicated 20a circuit. The reasoning was that when they are pushed REALLY hard, the extra current would come in handy.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but many kitchen outlets are run off of a 20a circuit and how many of those kitchen accessories and lights are actually using a 5-20 NEMA plug, none that I have in my kitchen. So I'm going to take a stab at this and say that home theater products are similar in that they only draw the amount of power that is necessary, thus your 15a home theater products should be just fine on a 20a circuit.

[DYohn]

Jul 8, 2012 12:34:57 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Jul 8, 2012 11:57:30 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

Stupid question here, but I was wondering if it is safe (for your houses' sake, and the electronics) to run all of your gear on a 20a line?

Should this be avoided if possible?

Is it a good idea because all of your gear would be getting plenty of juice?

I am not very well versed in electric, but I did read a review that mentioned running the XPA-1s on a dedicated 20a circuit. The reasoning was that when they are pushed REALLY hard, the extra current would come in handy.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but many kitchen outlets are run off of a 20a circuit and how many of those kitchen accessories and lights are actually using a 5-20 NEMA plug, none that I have in my kitchen. So I'm going to take a stab at this and say that home theater products are similar in that they only draw the amount of power that is necessary, thus your 15a home theater products should be just fine on a 20a circuit.

Of course. There is no "problem" drawing less current that the curcuit can supply.

Anything that plugs in will only draw what it needs: you want to keep the total demand below the total available from the circuit, so using a 20-amp circuit give you more head room. Same theory as audio amplifiers (electricity is electricity - until you get into RF, of course.)

[LCSeminole]

Jul 8, 2012 11:37:27 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

This thread has turned into a seriously great lesson in electricity (at least for me) TONS of great info to be found here.

I have never done this before in my life, but I am going to do it now. I am making the motion to turn this thread into a sticky. ;D

The non-informational posts (such as this one) can be edited out by the mods, and the thread title can be altered to read "XPR-5 Un-boxing and electrical considerations"...or something to that effect. ;D

...just saying.

Good idea as this is a great thread for the hands on "Electrically" challenged,(me being one of them ! It is now stickied and once this thread slows down we'll delete the extraneous posts.

[paintedklown]

Ok, thanks for the answers guys. I thought perhaps plugging devices into outlets that were "too powerful" could potentially fry them. I suppose the outlet isn't "gushing" the current out, merely transferring it when the device plugged into it, asks for the delivery.

That makes sense.

[jordo]

For insurance purposes, then run a dedicated 20A circuit. But if my house burns down due to running a 20A load, the fault will be "why didn't the 15A breaker trip?" I have tripped breakers before running air compressors and such designed for 15A circuits(used 2 different outlets and 2 air compressors but didn't realize they tied into the same breaker). The breaker tripped as it should. Emotiva has to cover their a$$ by telling the user the safety requirements for the absolute max this amp can run. If you have 8 ohm speakers, you can run this thing to 90% of its capabilities CONTINUOUSLY and should not have any issues. (insert technical math here...120Vx15A=1800W, 400Wx5channels=2000W, 1800W/2000W=90% The wiring will not catch fire the second it hits 15A. Look at hair dryers, many are 1800W+ and run on 120V line. I'm just saying for me personally I would have to blow my speakers before my wall outlet will run out of juice for this thing. I will say though if you have 5 very low efficiency or hard to drive speakers, you may need the 20A circuit.

[solidstate]

Jul 8, 2012 6:56:39 GMT -5 Jim said:

The S20 is only rated at about 10 amps - so that eliminates it for amps.

You're right it's 1.25kW. I figured the 20 in S20 meant 20amp.

I looked at the XPR-5 specsheet and OMG that thing has just INSANE POWER.

[paintedklown]

Jul 8, 2012 12:48:24 GMT -5 jordo said:

For insurance purposes, then run a dedicated 20A circuit. But if my house burns down due to running a 20A load, the fault will be "why didn't the 15A breaker trip?" I have tripped breakers before running air compressors and such designed for 15A circuits(used 2 different outlets and 2 air compressors but didn't realize they tied into the same breaker). The breaker tripped as it should. Emotiva has to cover their a$$ by telling the user the safety requirements for the absolute max this amp can run. If you have 8 ohm speakers, you can run this thing to 90% of its capabilities CONTINUOUSLY and should not have any issues. (insert technical math here...120Vx15A=1800W, 400Wx5channels=2000W, 1800W/2000W=90% The wiring will not catch fire the second it hits 15A. Look at hair dryers, many are 1800W+ and run on 120V line. I'm just saying for me personally I would have to blow my speakers before my wall outlet will run out of juice for this thing.

I would LOVE to own speakers that could handle that much power!!!

My audiologist would have a fit though. ;D

[DYohn]

If you look at the advice given by Emotiva, it was to use a properly protected adapter. If you modify the plug or if you install your own 20-A outlet onto a 15-A circuit then yes, you will have violated electrical codes and created a situation where your insurance company might void your coverage in the event of a disaster. But if you use a properly protected adapter, you will be fine.

[RightinLA]

A XPR-5 demo at Emofest could be set up to show the practical power usage of this amp, then members could judge for themselves whether a 20A circuit is practicably required for this amp.

[paintedklown]

Jul 8, 2012 12:43:43 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Jul 8, 2012 11:37:27 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

This thread has turned into a seriously great lesson in electricity (at least for me) TONS of great info to be found here.

I have never done this before in my life, but I am going to do it now. I am making the motion to turn this thread into a sticky. ;D

The non-informational posts (such as this one) can be edited out by the mods, and the thread title can be altered to read "XPR-5 Un-boxing and electrical considerations"...or something to that effect. ;D

...just saying.

Thanks.

I was thinking, since there are two more scheduled XPR series amps in the pipeline, this thread will be useful to future purchasers of the upcoming amps as well, being that they will all have the same power requirements, and I am sure these types of questions will pop up then as well.

Good idea as this is a great thread for the hands on "Electrically" challenged,(me being one of them ! It is now stickied and once this thread slows down we'll delete the extraneous posts.