Does a car amp consume more power when bridged?

[cjchaps]

If you are running an amp bridged, does it comsume more power than it would comsume without having it bridged?

 

[Harvey]

The formula for power is E (voltage) squared divided by R (resistance or impedance of the speaker), so theoretically, a bridged pair of amps can deliver four times the power of a single amp into the same speaker load. Of course, that also requires the components to be rated to handle that much power and have enough heat sinking.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

<< The formula for power is E (voltage) squared divided by R (resistance or impedance of the speaker), so theoretically, a bridged pair of amps can deliver four times the power of a single amp into the same speaker load. Of course, that also requires the components to be rated to handle that much power and have enough heat sinking. >>

I don't think that's what he's asking. He wants to know if it consumes more power...

 

[cjchaps]

Let's say a non-briged amp outputs 150 watts, and a bridged amp outputs 400 watts. So bridged it would draw more power because it's outputting more watts?

 

[Viperoni]

Yup, assuming 150x2 compared to 400x1.
But say you have an amp that does 150x2 or 300x1, then in that case it'll use up the same amount of power.

And you can't crosscompare amps, as different models will take up different levels of current (due to different internal designs)

 

[cjchaps]

That answered my question, thanks.



<< Yup, assuming 150x2 compared to 400x1.
But say you have an amp that does 150x2 or 300x1, then in that case it'll use up the same amount of power.

And you can't crosscompare amps, as different models will take up different levels of current (due to different internal designs) >>

 

[tigerbait]

Yes, it will draw more current. When you have a bridged 4 ohm load, the amp really internally puts the outputs in parallel, creating a 2 ohm load. P= I^2 * R Less resistance means more current.

 

[Viperoni]

<< Yes, it will draw more current. When you have a bridged 4 ohm load, the amp really internally puts the outputs in parallel, creating a 2 ohm load. P= I^2 * R Less resistance means more current. >>



Not really.....each stage keeps its 4ohm impedance, but bridged mode links the 2 stages (I forgot exactly how it does it, some kinda invertor?) together to produce more power. Usually what limits the minimum impedance in an amplifier is the amount of current flow through either the power supply circuit or the amp stages....