SO Much Hardware - SO Little Outlets

[GHawk01]

I’ve got only 3 outlets in my studio that I can use without traveling across a door opening with an extension cord, which I won’t do.
I have a massive amount of hardware to plug in and use strips to load them all into. Now I’m adding another plug with 2 powered monitors. One will use an existing plug because my current monitors use only one plug.
Has anyone had experience or knowledge with the amount of current being used and advice in this situation? I don’t want to burn down the house!

 

[jaygee]

I'm assuming that the wiring is currently up to code and has proper current limiting breakers in place.

Other than amplifiers, most line level hardware consumes very little current and would take a lot
to exceed the standard 15 amp wiring in most residential housing.

If you're worried, almost all equipment lists the wattage somewhere on the chassis and a quick
calculation would let you know if the sum total is nearing the breaker's capacity.

 

[diggy_dude]

Don't power up everything at the same time if you're not using it all. Less electromagnetic interference to worry about, if nothing else. Wendy Carlos built a shielded cage around her NYC studio and was amazed at how much quieter her gear was.

 

[GHawk01]

Yeah. Thanks.
Like on one strip I have Desktop, Monitor, Printer, and 2 chargers for cell phones.

Another strip has a POD 2.0, Tube Pre, Mixer, Monitors (single plug), and A stereo Amp for standard audio playback.

I have another strip for Laptop, Keyboard, and anything at random to plug in like a pedal.

Each strip is on a separate plug but LOADED!
You can see why I'm nervous and NEVER leave the house standing ready with an extinguisher in hand.

 

[Re-tox_stl]

Thats not that bad, you should be fine.

Drew

 

[diggy_dude]

You don't need cell phone chargers and a printer in a studio. For that matter, why do you need both a desktop and a laptop in there?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

I have on many occasions run an entire club PA system on a single 20 amp circuit. One time I ran a show with pushing about 5k watts on a pair of 15A circuits, including all the backline. I seriously doubt you'll hit the limit of your circuit unless you add some heating elements or an air conditioner to the load.

 

[GHawk01]

You don't need cell phone chargers and a printer in a studio. For that matter, why do you need both a desktop and a laptop in there?

Diggy.... I have but one Man Cave. It doubles it as my home office to conduct Real Estate business.

http://kompoz.com/compose-collaborate/photoId-17276/memberId-7308/image.member

 

[diggy_dude]

Diggy.... I have but one Man Cave. It doubles it as my home office to conduct Real Estate business.

I've used my studio when working from home before. It didn't work out too well. I started having weird dreams where work and play merged together. I would see what appeared to be PHP code scrolling by in a vim terminal while hearing techno-babble about digital processing algorithms. Bob Katz put me on a bad trip, man! Since then I've tried to use the room exclusively for one purpose as much as possible.

 

[GHawk01]

Yes sir Diggy. Been there.
After the last phone call my office lights dim and the music gets louder and the rum flows. It's hard to get things done during the day while a project is underway and people from different time zones are uploading contributions on Kompoz. I have no discipline.

 

[miroslav]

I ran two direct 20Amp lines for my studio gear, plus another for the lighting and outlets. There are also pair of Furman 20Amp voltage regulators, one for each 20Amp gear line.

Not trying to brag, but I have a fair amount of analog and outboard studio gear, and even when I'm doing the most involved mix where I have a bunch of that outboard gear running along with my console and whatever...it all runs off the one Furman voltage regulator and 20Amp line. I've never, ever once popped the circuit breaker in my electric box.
When I'm just tracking, I may not have as much outboard gear powered up, but instead I'll have a few of my guitar amps on, maybe my Hammond, plus the console and tape deck...etc...and again, it still all runs off the one 20Amp line.
If ever I truly wanted/needed to turn on EVERY piece of gear in the studio......at that point I would probably exceed the 20Amps, but that's why I ran the second 20Amp line, though I've never had to really use it, and along with my second Furman voltage regulator, they are there mainly as a backup and if I should need more juice.
From the Furman...I have multiple power lines reaching out to the various racks and amps, and on each of them I also have power strips.
So basically from the one single 20Amp line, I "fan out" a power grid for all the gear.

I think with 15Amps, you'll be able to run a lot of gear. I would however make sure that there is nothing else in the house using that same 15Amp circuit breaker. Ideally...it should be a clean line from the breaker to your studio, just for your audio gear. If you have to run one to get that, run a 20Amp line, just make sure you have the room in the main box for the extra breaker (most will have it), and you'll be covered with ample power when your studio gear grows.

 

[GHawk01]

I appreciate everyone's input. It sounds to me like, especially from miroslav, that I'm certainly not overloading my main box and breaker with what I have running. I don't run everything all at one time either. Thanks for the lesson. Uh... I don't see where I close this thread. Sorry.

 

[arcadeko]

I would see what appeared to be PHP code scrolling by in a vim terminal while hearing techno-babble about digital processing algorithms.

PHP Lolz! You a web programmer Diggy? I do a fair bit of that myself...

I don't see where I close this thread. Sorry.

Don't close the thread - it's bad for business! I got 5 power strips sitting under my desk right now - I need to get another UPS...

 

[stevieb]

SO Much Hardware - SO Little Outlets.

Man, I've been trying to answer this for you, for DAYS, but there is one thing I don't understand- HOW DID YOU END UP WITH LITTLE OUTLETS IN YOUR HOUSE??? All the 110-volt AC outlets I have ever seen were all the same size, about 1 1/2 inches square. I am guessing your AC cords are that size, but the outlets are smaller??

 

[diggy_dude]

PHP Lolz! You a web programmer Diggy? I do a fair bit of that myself...

Yep. I think I'm the only one in my department who understands the nuts and bolts of JavaScript. Everyone else uses jQuery.

 

[GHawk01]

Man, I've been trying to answer this for you, for DAYS, but there is one thing I don't understand- HOW DID YOU END UP WITH LITTLE OUTLETS IN YOUR HOUSE??? All the 110-volt AC outlets I have ever seen were all the same size, about 1 1/2 inches square. I am guessing your AC cords are that size, but the outlets are smaller??

Your're kidding... right?

 

[diggy_dude]

 

[c7sus]

A 9v DC wall wart rated at supplying 300mA on the secondary draws 5.5watts at 120v.

Your 15a/120v circuit is designed to operate at 80% of the available power continuous load. Continuous load is defined by the National Electrical Code as operating for 3 hours or more at maximum current.

120 x 15 = 1800watts

1800w x .80 = 1440 watts

1440/5.5watts = 261.8

So you could theoretically run 261 9v/300mA wallwarts and still be under 80% of the rating of the circuit.

 

[stevieb]

Your're kidding... right?

I dunno... am I?