mikes
Minor Hero
Posts: 38 
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Post by mikes on Nov 30, 2016 11:12:07 GMT -5
I was reading the manual on my new XPA Gen3 ( 7 channel) and it indicated the best performance is achieved using a 240 V outlet. Since i'm running a new circuit to power my HT setup anyway, I figured I'd run a 240 V line. Just wanted to verify the wiring before I get started so I can be sure nothing bad is going to happen when I plug everything in.
As I understand it, a 240 V outlet is wired with two 120V hot lines, instead of the standard 120V hot and neutral line. Is that the configuration the XPA is designed to operate with?
If this is the correct 240 V wiring scheme can the XMC-1 also be plugged into the new outlet?
Is there anything I need to change or adjust on the units to accept higher voltage?
Is it worth the trouble? Can anyone hear the difference when operating the amp on 240V instead of 120V?
Thanks for your help
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 30, 2016 16:13:57 GMT -5
240V? The only think in my house that are 240V is my electric dryer!
Actually - Reading the manual - they're asking for a 230VAC circuit.
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Post by audiosyndrome on Nov 30, 2016 17:07:48 GMT -5
The advantage of using a 230 or 240 volt feed is that the amp will only draw half the current that a 120 volt line would draw. This will be an advantage if your circut breaker panel is a very long distance from your amplifier thus minimizing the voltage drop in the line. Probably only an issue if the amp is pulling heavy current from all seven channels, but not a likely scenario. But if you're running a dedicated line, why not?
The Emotiva amps automatically adjust for the correct line voltage. The user does not have to do anything.
Russ
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Post by hosko on Nov 30, 2016 17:25:48 GMT -5
Everything in my house is wired up as 240v
Makes it easy when the supply is 240v though.
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mikes
Minor Hero
Posts: 38
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Post by mikes on Dec 1, 2016 8:59:38 GMT -5
In my case my panel is on the other side of my house, at least a 75 foot run so minimising the voltage drop is an advantage for me. Again I just want to verify that the wiring scheme stated above is the correct for the XPA amplifier (two 120V hot lines and of course a ground line)
I'm asking because I've been reading about some outlet voltages in other countries and I get the impression their outlets have one 240V line one neutral line and a ground. I understand the amp will correct for the supply voltage but is it designed to have two 120V feeds to get to 240V?.
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Post by audiosyndrome on Dec 1, 2016 9:19:53 GMT -5
We all (USA) have 240 volts AC coming into our houses. 120 volts positive phase; 120 volts negative phase. The difference between the two phases is 240 volts. An electrician will use each phase plus neutral in the line to your three-prong wall outlet. 75-feet. You definitely want to go the 240 route IMO.
Russ
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Dec 1, 2016 9:30:29 GMT -5
I'm not an electrician, but, as far as I know, the "two hots and a neutral" is standard for the entire USA (at least). At least in older neighborhoods, your house is supplied by what is basically a 240 V center tapped transformer winding. Your 120 V circuits are each taken from "one side to the center" and the 240V lines are "across the two hots". It should be at least interchangeable anywhere you go. (If your electrician wires you "a standard 230 VAC outlet" our amp should run just fine on it. In my case my panel is on the other side of my house, at least a 75 foot run so minimising the voltage drop is an advantage for me. Again I just want to verify that the wiring scheme stated above is the correct for the XPA amplifier (two 120V hot lines and of course a ground line) I'm asking because I've been reading about some outlet voltages in other countries and I get the impression their outlets have one 240V line one neutral line and a ground. I understand the amp will correct for the supply voltage but is it designed to have two 120V feeds to get to 240V?. |
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Post by Jim on Dec 1, 2016 9:57:52 GMT -5
I'm not an electrician, but, as far as I know, the "two hots and a neutral" is standard for the entire USA (at least). At least in older neighborhoods, your house is supplied by what is basically a 240 V center tapped transformer winding. Your 120 V circuits are each taken from "one side to the center" and the 240V lines are "across the two hots". Unless you live in a REALLY old home, it should be split phase like you described. All new neighborhoods are the same, but there are more pad mount transformers. I've never seen a house with only a single 120V leg service... but I've heard they exist. I imagine most have been upgraded by now. I imagine that's the days of knob and tube wiring. A hot water heater will generally just use 2 hots to get 240V. The reason why a dryer needs 2 hots and a neutral is because portions of it (like the drum motor) are 120V and the heating elements are 240. Just pay attention to the 120v/240v switch that *some* Emotiva amps have...  You shouldn't hear a difference, there isn't much benefit (lower amperage draw though). It LOOKS like the XPA Gen3 auto-selects voltage.. |
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mikes
Minor Hero
Posts: 38
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Post by mikes on Jan 4, 2017 10:22:49 GMT -5
Well I've wired up a 15A 240V plug for the XPA and everything works great. Although the room has no flooring yet (just bare concrete), I've connected the XMC-1, XPA and all the speakers. Even with just the basic setup done, everything sounds amazing. Can't wait to finish everything off, run Dirac and fine tune the system. Initially I had everything plugged into a 120V line, now that i've moved the XPA to 240V it does seems to be louder. Is it just my imagination? has anyone else noticed this?
Anyway, thanks again for the help.
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