Power draw from outlet for XPA-5 and XPA-3?

[stoudtlr]

I need some electric help if possible.  Has anyone with a kill-a-watt tested the power draw of their amps?  I already have a furman m-8x 1RU surge protector that I got from a friend and am curious if that would be enough for my gear or if I should get a second one or a bigger/different one.  Here's what will all be on it:
XPA-5
XPA-3
UMC-200
Behringer i-Nuke 3000
Oppo BDP-103D
Xbox 360
Cable box

And should I run a 2nd 20amp circuit to my rack for all this gear or is one dedicated 20amp circuit enough to power everything?  No display will be on the surge protector or the circuit.  I ran a separate 15amp circuit and UPS for my projector.  I had a sub-panel installed in the theater room and have drop ceiling (i haven't put it up yet) so it will be easy enough to run a 2nd circuit if it's needed.

Thanks!

[jlafrenz]

All the equipment in my signature is on a 15 amp circuit so I would think with a dedicated 20 you would be fine.

[stoudtlr]

Thanks jlafrenz! i thought i would be safe but wanted to make sure.

[kwhalen]

I have the following running on one 15amp outlet.

XPA-1 - Front Right channel
XPA-1 - Front Left Channel
XPA-100 - Center Channel
XPA-2 Rear Surrounds
SVS PB12 NSD (300 watt bash amp)
70" Sony Bravia LED TV
BEV HD PVR
Emotiva ERC-2 CD player
Monster 5000 Signature Series Powercenter
Monster HD IR 2550 Powercenter
HK AVR 347(preamp)
Oppo BDP-103
Technics SL-D2 Turntable
JVC KD-V6 cassette deck
Azur 651p phono preamp

I have Klipsch RF-7 II's with RC-64II and RB-81II speakers.
I listen to music loud. I have hit peaks of 120db when playing loud music.

The system normally draws around 4 amps. If I push it hard I can get it up to 5.5 -6. I come nowhere near the capacity of the 15amp circuit.
I have a Yorkville 2400 watt sub downstairs with Yorkville NX750p speakers hooked up to some expensive recording equipment and professional mixer. I have had this system playing at 130 db(peaks) and to my amazement was only pulling 2.5amps.

Bottom line...
People seriously over exaggerate the power requirements. Having dedicated 20amp lines are really a waste of money. You gain nothing.
Maybe with 85db efficient speakers cranked, you can draw more... but I seriously doubt it.

With what you have listed, you will be around 2 - 2.5amps power draw(depending on volume/speakers efficiency)

[AudioHTIT]

I also think you're fine and with two circuits you increase the chance of introducing a ground loop.

[Porscheguy]

All the equipment in my signature is on a 15 amp circuit so I would think with a dedicated 20 you would be fine.

[Deleted]

Here's how to figure this out - use this formula:

Watts/Volts = Amps

Add the rated watts of the equipment you intend to put on that circuit, along with the maximum draw of your amp(s) and plug into the formula. Most of your equipment should have a sticker on the back that indicate this. If the result exceeds the rated amperage you'll need another circuit.

To put another way, you can safely load 1800 watts into a standard 15 amp circuit before it will trip, assuming you are here in the USA.

[KeithL]

Absolutely correct.... except....

Because a typical music signal has an average power that is MUCH less than its maximum/peak power, most amps (including ours) don't typically draw anywhere near their rated maximum power in normal use. (They only draw max power on the test bench with a steady state signal, or playing really loud pipe organ music.) This is different than many other devices (like vacuum cleaners and lamps) which usually DO draw their rated current. Therefore, even though it's "good" to limit the equipment you put on a given circuit to total it's maximum rating, you can usually exceed that by a considerable margin without causing any problems. This is also true for most "normal" surge protectors and power filters.

The only exception would be for certain fancy "power regenerators" - which actually recreate the AC power waveform itself- many of which will limit the dynamics of the amp if you get too close to their maximum rating.

May 16, 2014 6:27:45 GMT -5 johnnyd70 said:

Here's how to figure this out - use this formula:

Watts/Volts = Amps

Add the rated watts of the equipment you intend to put on that circuit, along with the maximum draw of your amp(s) and plug into the formula. Most of your equipment should have a sticker on the back that indicate this. If the result exceeds the rated amperage you'll need another circuit.

To put another way, you can safely load 1800 watts into a standard 15 amp circuit before it will trip, assuming you are here in the USA.

[Deleted]

Thanks, Keith.

[Shaker]

May 16, 2014 8:17:20 GMT -5 KeithL said:

The only exception would be for certain fancy "power regenerators" - which actually recreate the AC power waveform itself- many of which will limit the dynamics of the amp if you get too close to their maximum rating.

May 16, 2014 6:27:45 GMT -5 johnnyd70 said:

Not trying to threadjack, but recently researching these power regenerators (e.g. PS Audio's line) and feeling highly skeptical that they confer any discernible advantage. Thoughts?

[stoudtlr]

Thanks very much guys! Those guys at AVS go just a bit overboard I guess. When I first had the electrical run they were recommending a couple of 20amp circuits for the AV rack, but I thought it was overboard and only went with one. From what I'm hearing here, even one is overboard and I probably would of been good with just a 15amp line. I should of asked here originally I guess. Some of them guys are waaay obsessed with their AV stuff.

Seeing 3 XPR amps, an SVS sub, and a bunch of other equipment all working fine on a single 15 amp circuit definitely makes me rest easy.

[sme]

Ever notice your light flicker when your fridge compressor fires up? Many of those will draw a huge number of amps for the brief instant before the motor spins up. If that draw was sustained, your breaker would flip. Your amp may peak above 15 amps but will likely never pull the kind of instantaneous current described above.

[Priapulus]

Everything in my sig below, plus some lights, where on a 15 amp circuit with no problems.

That said, I recently installed two dedicated 20 amp circuits for my AV gear. The grounds of the two adjacent outlets were bonded together to avoid ground loops. I installed two lines because the cost of the wire was neglectable, compared to the cost of ripping open the wall, installing, then repairing the wall. Who knows what the future may need...

Sincerely
/b