How much power....

[NewBJay]

I am re-wiring my basement and configuring by electrical panel. For a 7.2 system, projector and lights. That amperage breaker should I dedicate to my theater room? Friend says 50 Amp, Electrician assisting says 30 is fine. I researched watts to Amps, receiver at 500 watts is still only 4.2 Amps... I am thinking 30 maybe ok....???

 

[Verdinut]

I am re-wiring my basement and configuring by electrical panel. For a 7.2 system, projector and lights. That amperage breaker should I dedicate to my theater room? Friend says 50 Amp, Electrician assisting says 30 is fine. I researched watts to Amps, receiver at 500 watts is still only 4.2 Amps... I am thinking 30 maybe ok....???

I would suggest one or two 20 amp circuits. But IMO, one should be sufficient because music or movie soundtrack power need is transient and never continuously required at full volume.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Since this is a blank slate, I’d recommend:

• 1 or 2 circuits for the HT equipment, with outlets in the appropriate locations (equipment rack, projector, sub location). Make sure there are enough outlets at the equipment rack to minimize the use of power strips. If two circuits, both should be on the same phase.
• Any other outlets in the room on a different circuit.
• If lighting has dimmers, put lighting circuits on the opposite phase from the HT gear.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[highfigh]

If you want surge protection for your display (TV or projector) and hopefully, avoid ground loops, have the electrician run the feed from the area of the rest of the AV equipment and install a power inlet, which can be connected to the same power strip with a regular IEC power cord. Metra sells one that has an IEC socket mounted to a wall plate-

IECWP

Quick and easy installation

metrahometheater.com

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm going to agree with @highfigh on extending power from the projector location using an inlet/outlet approach to your equipment location.

I would probably put two twenty amp circuits, from the same phase, into the AV equipment location. This will give you power for your projector and all associated AV equipment in the rack. This will give you a TON of overhead for long term upgrades and will likely never need to be maxed out. If you have the room in the breaker panel to give up two dedicated 20 amp circuits, then that's a great way to go. Using a single 50 or 30 is not standard.

 

[highfigh]

I'm going to agree with @highfigh on extending power from the projector location using an inlet/outlet approach to your equipment location.

I would probably put two twenty amp circuits, from the same phase, into the AV equipment location. This will give you power for your projector and all associated AV equipment in the rack. This will give you a TON of overhead for long term upgrades and will likely never need to be maxed out. If you have the room in the breaker panel to give up two dedicated 20 amp circuits, then that's a great way to go. Using a single 50 or 30 is not standard.

If only electricians understood the reasoning behind using a power inlet. I did a job a couple of years ago and told the electrician what I wanted and after thinking about it for a few seconds, said that it was a really good idea. First time I have heard that from an electrician. With some, I hear grinding noises and crickets.

Also, try using a 50A circuit for 120V- I'm not sure many inspectors will stick their necks out on that.

Honestly, if I was going to install an extremely high power system, I would find equipment that operates on 220VAC for the heavy lifting and use 120 for the small stuff. A 120VAC circuit is just too light for that.

 

[viorelc]

I would not setup a circuit for 30A or 50A when it is very unlikely to use more than 20A. It might be a good idea checking the specs of various amps, AVRs, TVs and see how much power a different setup would consume. Today’s 85” TVs are spec’d at about 400W, same for today’s AVRs, and these two are by far the largest power consumers in my Living room. All in all, the regular 20A outlets are more than enough for me. Your situation may be different, now or in the future.


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