Extension cords for an amp?

[cameron paterson]

So I want to run an extension cord from outside my theater room into my theater room so the Crown XLS 2502 amp I have will have its own breaker. Can this cause a fire? Can it cause a fire even though I shut off my amps every time I stop using them?

 

[BMXTRIX]

If you use an extension cord rated to the amperage of the amplifier you are using, this should not be an issue in any way unless something chews through the cord.

Not sure of your home's specific setup, but remember that your home's internal wiring is 14 gauge on a 15amp circuit and 12 gauge on a 20amp circuit.

For whatever reason, I can't find a listing for the nominal power draw of the 2502 in the manual (bad work Crown!), but it shows on the back of the amplifier in one photo that it is rated at a measly 425 watts of power draw. So, it is a LONG way from needing a dedicated circuit breaker if you only have one amp like this in your system. At maximum power draw it is pulling less than 4 amps on that specific circuit. But, if you don't have a dedicated circuit or two for your home system, it may not be enough to add an additional 4 amps to it. Still, any 16 gauge or thicker power cord shouldn't have any issues, even at longer lengths, with handling the current which this amplifier needs.

 

[cameron paterson]

This will be my 4th Crown amp. 2, 2502's and 2, 1002's. Aren't Crown amps supposed to be great? I would think 425 watts would be the average draw of the amp.

 

[highfigh]

Ideally, your system would be on one circuit or if another is needed, on the same phase from the pole. Adding length can add resistance, which causes ground loops with, or without, XLR connections.

Add up the power stated near the power plugs on the amplifiers- if you have three of this model, you get 1275W. That's at full blast, minimum impedance, worst case. For the rest of the time, you're probably averaging about 200W power draw for all three.

 

[cameron paterson]

Thanks highfigh.

 

[cameron paterson]

Anyone know if there could be a fire while the equipment is turned off?

 

[highfigh]

Anyone know if there could be a fire while the equipment is turned off?

It draws almost nothing when the power is off. For that matter, the same risk exists if the equipment is being used unless someone causes it to catastrophically overheat. Put your hand on one of the other amplifiers- if you can leave it there for more than a few seconds, it's not a problem.

 

[cameron paterson]

What is the difference between having the amp plugged into an ext. cord or plugging everything into a surge protector?

 

[cameron paterson]

Does a surge protector take some of the power from amps and AVR's?

 

[Kvn_Walker]

What is the difference between having the amp plugged into an ext. cord or plugging everything into a surge protector?

The surge protector should provide an extra layer of protection. Are you expecting to have other components draw too much current from that circuit?

 

[cameron paterson]

Only one Crown xls 2502 amp will run off the ext. cord from a separate outlet.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Only one Crown xls 2502 amp will run off the ext. cord from a separate outlet.

It's not about the outlet, it's about the circuit it is on and what the total draw is from the circuit. A 16 gauge power cord at 25 feet or so, can easily handle over 10 amps of current draw for roughly 10 million billion hours straight without overheating. Once again, your Crown has a peak power draw of under 4 amps.

You do not have ANY risk of fire unless you like chewing on power cords or have someone in your home who does.

Power strips and surge suppressors are just extension cords with a bit of added circuitry. This isn't magic. You are overthinking this.

 

[cameron paterson]

I am just going to unplug my ext. cords every night.

 

[cameron paterson]

When I put my Crown XLS 2502 on its own breaker it was noticeably louder believe it or not.

 

[lovinthehd]

You are an interesting guy, cameron paterson.....but you always make me wonder when something is gonna blow up

 

[cameron paterson]

So do Crown amps suck or what?

 

[ryanosaur]

So do Crown amps suck or what?

No. Crown Amps are pretty solid.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I am just going to unplug my ext. cords every night.

WHY? You've been told that you can keep it plugged in forever and it won't be an issue.

It's up to you, but this is kind of silly. I'm not sure how you are determining what other plugs may be on that circuit to ensure it is delivering clean power.

 

[highfigh]

Does a surge protector take some of the power from amps and AVR's?

Some surge protectors limit the current and in reality, most power amps don't need it.

 

[cameron paterson]

But a surge protector is good to have for all of my expensive electronics right? Would I be able to notice if my Crown amps weren't plugged into a surge protector? I mean would the subwoofer the Crown amp is plugged into be louder if it weren't plugged into a surge protector?