Hello,
I would like to put my computer equipment on its own circuit. Would I need a 15 or 20 amp breaker to do this? Are there any restrictions as far as how many breakers can be in the box? I know there is room for more. What gauge wiring would this require?
Thanks for any thoughts...
Since you are asking these questions, I wonder if you are planning to do the work yourself. If so, maybe you should consider a professional. It is not all that difficult, but you can run into a few things that can go wrong.
In any case, normally 15 amp is fine for a home computer. I only run 20 amp circuits as it cost only slightly less, provides additional power if needed for future changes and slightly reduces the voltage loss (assuming standard wire gauges are used.)
It is generally not required, but I like to keep my laser printer on a differnet circuit to reduce power changes to the computer.
It really depends on what you mean by "computer equipment".
BB
PC, monitor, printer, scanner and USB hub right now.
A 15-amp breaker in a 120-volt circuit supports 1800 watts (15 x 120 =
1800). If your loads total less than 1800 watts, the 15-amp breaker will be adequate. Get the wattage rat> Hello,15amp = 14ga copper. 20amp = 12ga copper.
Either will work, I'll suggest 20 amp, it isn't that much more $$, and gives a bit more capacity, which might be handy for things like laser printers in the future.
That still really isn't enough detail. A CRT monitor uses a lot more power than an LCD monitor of a given size. A 2.8 ghz CPU uses more power than a 1 ghz CPU. A laser printer uses FAR more power (although intermittantly) than an inkjet.
If you have a fast CPU, a CRT monitor and a laser printer, 15 amps may not meet even the minimum requirements. You should be able to find out the minimum power requirements for each item by looking in the manuals that came with them, or at the manufacturer's website.
BB
David,
When you ask basic electrical questions like this, it indicates you may not have enough knowledge to be "safe" around electricity. Therefore, expect numerous suggestions to "seek professional help".
If the wiring you plan to install from the distribution panel to outlets for your computer and other "stuff" is 14 gauge, then you MUST use a 15 amp breaker for each circuit. (The breaker protects the wire from carrying too much current and possibly overheating). Expect to have no more than about
1800 watts available. That's the reason the suggestion was made to get the wattage from each nameplate on the equipment and total them.If you use 12 gauge wire (which is bigger) you must use a 20 amp breaker. This will give you about 2400 watts of capacity.
Given the choice of 15A or 20A, your best deal is to go with the 20A circuit. It doesn't cost that much more and there are other subtle benefits that have not been mentioned.
If you load up one 15A circuit with monitor, computer, laser printer, audio amps, and say there is something else unusual on the circuit like a treadmill, your quality of power will suffer. (Excessive voltage drop, lamps may flicker as the laser printer goes through it's various heat-up cycles, etc. Although the 15A breaker might not actually trip, the higher Ampacity of a 20A circuit (increase load carrying ability of the conductors at 20A) is going to give you a better installation and less voltage variation.
Beachcomber
Unless the loads are continuous (likely in this case); then the ckt is limited to 80% of the max rating. Jim
Go with a 20a/12ga wire, your laser printer won't dip the line as much.
42
This is Turtle.
First get all the amp requirements from the back of the equipment and add it up to see. Most of the time a 15 amp breaker would be fine but add all the amperages up to see. Now this is whay your suppose to do.
Now I would run me a 20 circuit to it and have some spare ability for future additions. Now here is the abilitys of each type wire and breaker to use.
15 Amp Breaker = #14-2 with nake Ground , Romex TW type up to 40 feet and not to exceed. 20 Amp Breaker = #12-2 with nake Ground , Romex TW type up to 40 feet and not to exceed.These requiements are on the safe side and it should be.
Now if your not well versed in the electrical field i might suggest you get a electrician to run the circuit for you.
TURTLE
If this is to be a dedicated circuit, and if I had to buy the wire, I would go with 15A circuit and #14 wire. Fourteen gauge wire is a little cheaper, and a lot easier to work with, and a 15A circuit should be more than adequate. If I had #12 wire already, I would run a 20A circuit, just because.
Best regards, Bob
There is no such thing as too much power. You don't NEED more than 15 amps, but go with 20A and 12guage wire, anyway.
Yes, 20 amp circuit. My computer / printer / monitor power strip is on a 15 amp line and the overhead light blinks when the laser printer goes through it's warm up cycle. I'm using a backup supply for the computer to keep voltage constant. I'm thinking of adding a second backup supply with 7 amps in which will deliver more current out for a limited time. Eventually, I'll get around to putting in a 20 amp line. If you have the choice now, don't put in a 15.
Bob
Y'all up thar in Looziana ain't got THHN Romex yet? The rest of the country got it in about 85-86.
15 amp. Very few people use anything more than a standard wall socket circuit (15 amp) for home computer equipment. What you mentioned is probably less than 600 watts, so you have 1200 more watts before you overload the circuit. You need a minimum of number 14 wire for 15 amp circuits, but number 12 wire would be better and if you put 12 wire in you might as well put in a 20 amp breaker.
This is Turtle.
We are still tring to get a complete copy of the NEC code without somebody getting a kick back on it in the State Government. We have a ex-governor, Treasurer, Insurance Commisioner, and Gambling Commisioner in Federal prison right now and tring to send some more. They had stolen billions but got cought with some chump change of $600,000,000.00 kick back on one casino kick back job. The Governor was stupid enough to take $1/4 mil. down payment in cash while in Los Vagas to cover some fun on the tables. He took it from a Federal Agent. He got 8 years for stealing 4.1 Billion dollars and taking $6 Mil. from Getty oil company on a law suite by his law firm. When Texeco bought out Getty oil company the state forgive Texeco about the kick back. They still have not got the money back yet for it is all in over sea's banks under different names. They did find some in the Bank of France. He was a starched Democrate and staied the course during the trial. Also they got him in a Federal prison about 1 mile from my house to be near family and friends. The Rotary club here ask the Federal prison for Edwards to speak at one of their Rotary club meetings and was turned down. I guess money talks.
TURTLE
Most computers are fairly low load. 15 oughta do it. Yes, there are restrictions hwo much load you can put on a panel. 15 amp breakers take 14 AWG wire.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.