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Electrical Loads

Pokey

Pokey

Platinum Member
Does anyone know just how many systems can be put on a 15A/120/1 circuit? I know it will vary depending on the components, but is there an approximate load?

The rating plate on the power supply may say 10A input, but they couldn't possibly be pulling that much or the five I have (plus monitor) on one circuit would have tripped the breaker by now.

Thought I would ask before I do something stupid................(Now there is a novel idea)................... 😛 😛
 
figure 15A on 120 v is 1800w of power you have to burn. say each computer takes ~100-120w, and you have 15-20 computers before it blows

I have no idea if my reasoning is correct, so somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Originally posted by: yelo333
figure 15A on 120 v is 1800w of power you have to burn. say each computer takes ~100-120w, and you have 15-20 computers before it blows

I have no idea if my reasoning is correct, so somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
You've got to account for the fact that they're all going to use some more power than that at first when they're turned on... So just don't push things too close to the limit, and don't turn them all on at the same time (make sure they're set to default to off after a power outage).
 
I started having that problem around 12-15 machines but I also have a small window ac running in that room also. So I now have 2 in the living room and 5 in the bedroom
 
I had five computers and a printer with a few ethernet switches on one circuit that also handled the alarm system, a freezer, a sump pump, a dehumidifier, a treadmill, and about 10 overhead lights. The circuit blew anytime I turned on three computers at once or if the dehumidifier kicked in while the treadmill was running. I just had that circuit divided into two and a 20A line installed for four computers.
 
If you remove the breaker and put in its place a piece of #10 copper wire you should be able to run more systems.


















😛 😀
 
Originally posted by: Smoke
If you remove the breaker and put in its place a piece of #10 copper wire you should be able to run more systems. 😛 😀
Click to expand...

I had just finished writing a whole page full of reasons why you shouldn't do this, but I figure you already know and Smoke wasjust kidding. If you are smart enough *wink*to do it, whatever happens is your responsibility.



 
Originally posted by: Smoke
If you remove the breaker and put in its place a piece of #10 copper wire you should be able to run more systems.
Click to expand...

And you might also start demonstrating why you're named Smoke 😉
 
Originally posted by: Smoke
If you remove the breaker and put in its place a piece of #10 copper wire you should be able to run more systems.
Click to expand...

ROTFL.....
Yep, #10 ought to just about do it. :evil:

Now how where did I put that fire insurance policy............😛 😛





















 
Sorry to keep this thread going, but I?m just back from my lab in the basement, where I conducted a highly scientific experiment. 😉

I fashioned a connector using an old power cord. I cut 12? off with plug end and trimmed off outer insulation exposing the individual wires. I attached a receptacle on the cut end. This gave me a section with individual wires exposed to put a clamp meter around. (I don?t have a more sensitive meter to put in-line which would have given more accurate readings.)

Here are the readings:

Dellbert:......< 0.5 A X 120V = <60W
Pokey2 *:....< 1.2 A X 120V = ~144W
Spare Parts:..<1.0 A X 120V = <120W
Dolly**:........~1.2 A X 120V = ~144W
Porter**:......~1.2 A X 120V = ~144W
Monitor***:...~1.4 A X 120V = ~168W

........................................Total:780W

* Pokey2 has two HDD?s
** Not actually measured. Dolly is a little ticklish to get re-started and I skipped her. So Dolly and Porter are estimates.
** Monitor had 1.4A on rating plate but did not measure that high.

So, with five computers and a monitor on one circuit there appears to be plenty of room for more. Of course if there are other appliances, look out. :Q

Discaimer: If someone goes and burns their house down based on this info.............my name is......uh..... Smoke......................................... 😛 😛 😛
 
Now who actually thought I was being serious?

My attorney tells me I had best point out the 🙂P 😀) at the end of my post to indicate levity. 😉


:laugh:
 
Pokey-

Your figures look right on to me.

To help everyone out, what CPU do those machines have? I'll bet a buck that Delbert is a P3 or an older Celeron. 😉

Of course we know that they were running DPAD flat-out when you took those measurements. 😛

viz
 
viz, you would win the buck.................... 😀

Delbert is a P3 500 (Slot 1)
Dolly is dual P3 450 (Slot 1)

The others are AMD XP 1800 and 2000's

And they were running full out ..........on Seti.............Sorry. Nothing else has won my heart yet.

OK everybody go take those wires out of the breaker boxes......:disgust:.......Smoke wasn't serious............:disgust:




Wonder why my lights dimming?.................😛 😛

 
If you replace the 15A breaker with a 20A breaker, it would be safer and let you add more systems.
Click to expand...

You have to be careful when you do this as most 15A breakers are run with 14gauge wire and may be used for lighting. If you change the 15A to a 20A make sure the wire from the breaker is 12gauge or you are liable to burn the 14gauge wire before you would blow the 20A breaker.

 
Originally posted by: TheHive
If you replace the 15A breaker with a 20A breaker, it would be safer and let you add more systems.
Click to expand...
You have to be careful when you do this as most 15A breakers are run with 14gauge wire and may be used for lighting. If you change the 15A to a 20A make sure the wire from the breaker is 12gauge or you are liable to burn the 14gauge wire before you would blow the 20A breaker.
Click to expand...

So you would pretty much be doing the equivalent of putting in a 10gauge wire....hhmmm...interesting. At least it will look more kosher when the fire inspectors do their investigating for the cause of the fire..

🙂
 
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