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I am in the processes of consolidating all of my home audio / networking equipment into a server rack I picked up recently. This will give me some flexibility of keeping it all together and make repairs / upgrades easier.

In this process, I have had to reset my 15amp breaker twice now (it tripped) due to the load the equipment is putting on it I am assuming.

These devices range from a home audio controller, amp, sub amps, Backup Power Supply, PC, etc.

Some rough numbers I came up with:

Switch 2.5 amp
Sub .118 amp x 4 = .472 amp
Amp 8.36 amp
PSU 2.72 amp
Total 14.052 amp

With just those few devices, I seem to be at 93% of the suggested 80% load.

While I am not quite done getting everything moved into the rack, its already pretty clear that I will need to run some dedicated circuits for this rack.

What recommendations would you have for this? Should I run two 15amp circuits just for this equipment and put the audio stuff on one and lower stuff on the other?

I will probably end up getting an electrician out to do it but wanting to get some feedback to know what to ask for.

Update:

This is everything I could find on this current circuit that had some type of power rating label:

Device Power

  • Switch 100-240 v 2.5 amp
  • Sub Amp 120v 13w consumption
  • Sub Amp 120v 13w consumption
  • Sub Amp 120v 13w consumption
  • Controller 120v 70w consumption
  • Amp 120v 920w consumption
  • NVR 100v-240v
  • PSU 300 watts
  • Fan 110v
  • Fan 110v
  • Fan 110v
  • Fan 110v
  • Dell Tower 3.3 amp
  • Apple Airplay Express 0.2 amp
  • Modem .75 amp
  • Router 2.5 amp
  • POE Injector 2.5 amp
  • Cat Switch 1.5 amp
  • Monitor 1.2 amp
  • Monitor 1.2 amp
  • Monitor 1.2 amp
  • Monitor .7a
  • TV 83 w consumption
  • Gramofon 1amp
  • Henge Dock (MacBook Pro) 127W 100-240V Power Supply
  • Scentsy Candle Warmer 25 watts
  • Digital Radio
  • Alarm System Panel
  • Lights
  • Outlets
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    What other rooms, receptacles and fixed loads are also on that same circuit? How are you arriving at those amp numbers? Are you seeing a difference between watts and VA?
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 21:22
  • Many of the devices listed the power consumption on the back of them, the amp for example was 920w consumed. Threw numbers into a calculator and got a very rough estimate. The above example is really more like 7.6. The other loads are things like a PC, Modem, Router, monitors, TV etc. Its a living space that this same circuit is on. I don't have any meters to get these exact numbers but my tests have been turning on one piece of equipment at a time and usually once more than half of the devices are on for a little while, it will trip.
    – SBB
    Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 21:30
  • @Harper The rest of the circuit is just outlets that have nothing plugged in. The above for-mentioned devices are currently the only items that are drawing power. The current breaker is a single pole 15amp.
    – SBB
    Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 21:48
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    Have you considered running all the gear on 240V?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 23:07
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    yeah, it's that other stuff. Cheap PCs with their "850 watt" power supplies are 1200W/10A. Modem and router are tiny, their stats are on their wall-wart. Monitors and TVs are typically under 1A. Do you have a laser printer? Please get the nameplate loads for all of them, and edit those into your question. And stop testing like that, you must not provoke breaker trips. When you have a breaker trip, turn everything off for 30 minutes to let the wires in your walls cool.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 23:08

2 Answers 2

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I would suggest the high-end audio be on a separate circuit than power supplies. I would run 2 20 amp circuits to this location. By separating the audio equipment from the power supplys you may avoid some electrical noise caused by harmonics that most powersupplys generate. Just my 2cents worth...

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Have the electrician come out and put a amp meter on the circuit with all equipment on and maxed out. That will give you the tru load and you can base your circuit determination based on that. Without looking at it I would suggest 2 - 2o amp 120v individual circuits. Most electronics are minimal in power consumption.

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