Dedicated AC line questions

[CraigV]

Since it looks like I’m going to be doing some electrical work this weekend I decided I might as well go all the way &run a dedicated line for my power amp (XPA-5). I’ll be stopping at Home Depot on my way home from work, and I have a few questions:

What size breaker do I want – 15 amp? 20? More…?
Should I have a dedicated ground to the outside for this run?
Is there any “better” wire to use? I know it will have to be “In wall” rated, but is there anything else I should look for?
Maybe some Kimber Kable? (JK)
How about an outlet – any better option than the standard $.79 model?

Thanks

 

[Rickster71]

Hi Craig,

I ran 20 - Amp circuit, only because I had the 12 - 2 Romex and breakers laying around.
A 15-Amp circuit would work fine with that amp.
So you will need a 15-Amp breaker (check to see what brand you have in your panel)

Roll of 14-2 Romex
See how long of a run you have, and see in you can buy a partial roll of Romex.
A full roll is 250" (that may be too much) I know the Depot has shorter rolls.

For the receptacle, don't buy the cheapest $.79 job, and get a same amp rating as the circuit you decide to run.
A good one is only a few bucks. Hubble makes some very good stuff.

And one box of Romex staples.

Don't run a dedicated ground.
You just want all grounds to go to the same ground bar, and that ground bar tied into a proper ground rod system.

If you mentioned earlier about corroded ground rod connections; I'd add a bottle of Noalox http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=30-030 to your list.
Loosen your ground clamps and clean that area with a wire brush and coat the area with Noalox.

 

[CraigV]

Hi Craig,

I ran 20 - Amp circuit, only because I had the 12 - 2 Romex and breakers laying around.
A 15-Amp circuit would work fine with that amp.
So you will need a 15-Amp breaker (check to see what brand you have in your panel)

Roll of 14-2 Romex
See how long of a run you have, and see in you can buy a partial roll of Romex.
A full roll is 250" (that may be too much) I know the Depot has shorter rolls.

For the receptacle, don't buy the cheapest $.79 job, and get a same amp rating as the circuit you decide to run.
A good one is only a few bucks. Hubble makes some very good stuff.

Don't run a dedicated ground.
You just want all grounds to go to the same ground bar, and that ground bar tied into a proper ground rod system.

If you mentioned earlier about corroded ground rod connections; I'd add a bottle of Noalox http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=30-030 to your list.
Loosen your ground clamps and clean that area with a wire brush and coat the area with Noalox.

The area of oxidation starts about 8 inches from where it ties into the bar in the breaker box, and continues to the outside of the house, and into he ground. Maybe I need better dirt

 

[oppman99]

I don't know too much about the wiring stuff, but I can tell you that advice about 15 amp breaker for the XPA-5 is good. I am currently running a pair XPA-1's on a 20 amp breaker (just hooked them up today). Cranked the volume just to see if anything tripped, and haven't had any problems.

 

[CraigV]

Would a 20 be overkill/dangerous?

 

[Rickster71]

Would a 20 be overkill/dangerous?

You're only pulling 1,000 watts max, and that's well below a 15-Amp circuit's ampacity.
Unless you'll be plugging other stuff into that circuit, 20-Amp would be over kill.

You can always run two wires of 14-2 and split the receptacle, with the top being one circuit and the bottom being another. (just a thought)

 

[oppman99]

You're only pulling 1,000 watts max, and that's well below a 15-Amp circuit's ampacity. Unless you'll be plugging other stuff into that circuit, 20-Amp would be over kill.

The 20 amp line was already here when I moved in, so overkill or not, it's all good. I do have a couple of other things on the same line.

 

[PENG]

I don't know what the cost difference is between 12/2 and 14/2 but you will definitely get less voltage drop with 12/2. For short runs it makes little difference but for long runs it does.

 

[CraigV]

I don't know what the cost difference is between 12/2 and 14/2 but you will definitely get less voltage drop with 12/2. For short runs it makes little difference but for long runs it does.

I went ahead and got the 12-2. I'm anal like that

 

[PENG]

I also looks prettier.

 

[sawzalot]

I did the 20 amp dedicated circuit as I did read that Emo suggests such and if you go that route you have no choice but to use the receptacles rated for the 20 amps and they are of the best quality they look different from the standard receptacle, in that there is a small slot to the off the left side of the plug slots kinda like a sideways T,like this,
-l l -l l

-l l -l l

 

[mtrycrafts]

....You can always run two wires of 14-2 and split the receptacle, with the top being one circuit and the bottom being another. (just a thought)

Then he'll need two circuit breakers at the panel.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The 20 amp line was already here when I moved in, so overkill or not, it's all good. I do have a couple of other things on the same line.

Living rooms, family rooms by code needs at least 1 20A circuit just for heavy loads as these rooms have lots of electrical stuff in there.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

What size breaker do I want – 15 amp? 20? More…?
Should I have a dedicated ground to the outside for this run?
Is there any “better” wire to use? I know it will have to be “In wall” rated, but is there anything else I should look for?
Maybe some Kimber Kable? (JK)
How about an outlet – any better option than the standard $.79 model?

Thanks

If the panel box has a grounding bar in it, I doubt the code allows a separate run to the outside. That too could create ground loop issues.

Since you are asking about better wire to use, are you sure you know what you are doing?

 

[PENG]

Living rooms, family rooms by code needs at least 1 20A circuit just for heavy loads as these rooms have lots of electrical stuff in there.

That's interesting, but I would double check the NEC. I know in Canada (typically follows NEC) we don't have requirements for any 20A cct in living rooms and family rooms. Are you sure this requirement is not just for certain states/cities etc.?

 

[CraigV]

If the panel box has a grounding bar in it, I doubt the code allows a separate run to the outside. That too could create ground loop issues.

Since you are asking about better wire to use, are you sure you know what you are doing?

Years ago I successfully installed a circuit breaker, in wall AC line & two outlets in my basement, so I do have experience. At this point I am seriously considering running two 20 amp lines - 1 just for the amp and one to plug the Belkin power conditioner into with all other devices plugged into it.

 

[PENG]

Years ago I successfully installed a circuit breaker, in wall AC line & two outlets in my basement, so I do have experience. At this point I am seriously considering running two 20 amp lines - 1 just for the amp and one to plug the Belkin power conditioner into with all other devices plugged into it.

I guess we think alike on this one. I use 1-20A for the H.T. audio system, 1-15A for all the video sources, 1- 20A for my audio only power amp and all other audio only equipment on another 15A. Altogether 2-20A and 2-15A circuits. I could have used one more 20A circuit just for back up but I was too cheap.

 

[dougg]

12/2 always

Never even seen 14/2 til i moved to N.C. I wired with My Dad and always used 12/2 for house Circuits. Ground loops will occur unless all grounds are tied toughter, even the Ground Stake of antennas, telephone, cable, etc. should be tied to house ground by NEC.
Dougg

 

[CraigV]

Never even seen 14/2 til i moved to N.C. I wired with My Dad and always used 12/2 for house Circuits. Ground loops will occur unless all grounds are tied toughter, even the Ground Stake of antennas, telephone, cable, etc. should be tied to house ground by NEC.
Dougg

Sorry, but ?NEC?

 

[dougg]

National Electric Code

Sorry, but ?NEC?

Standard "Bible" for all State and local code Enforcement

http://www.constructionbook.com/2008-nec-national-electrical-code-paperback-edition-7008sb/nec-code-2008/