20 amp circuit installation ???'s
 

Does an electrician have to run new wires to install a 20 amp circuit or are wall wires of a current 15 amp circuit usually sufficient to handle extra amperage, after making required changes at the breaker box and outlet?

He will have to run new wire so nothing else in the house is on your hifi circuit. You want a dedicated line just for your hifi. Use 10 guage wire if your electrician will do it.

Christian.......If your main electrical panel has 15 amp circuit breakers installed, it is not safe to simply install 20 amp circuit breakers in their place. Over current devices (circuit breakers) are rated to protect the safe current handling capacity of the installed wire. To use a 20 amp circuit breaker your minimum wire size should not be less than #12 average wire gauge. Have a qualified licensed electrician look at your main electrical panel. He will be able to identify the wire size used on the circuit(s) you may wish to upgrade. More than likely you will need new wire installed to use 20 amp circuit breakers.

Thanks for the info, gentlemen!

I just had 2 (20AMP) circuits installed. Thanks to the above recomendation, I had the electrician use 10 gauge wire. I listened to my system last night and was suprised by the improvement in sound. The sound was smoother (with zero grain) and the sound stage sounds wider and deeper. I never thought it would improve the sound this much.

I have 2 dedicated 20A circuits I installed about 2 years ago. I think it's a big plus to lower the noise floor and providing ample current to your stereo equipment. I also use a power isolator for each circuit.

Audioseduction... Welcome! :wave:

well 15 amp can live with 14 gauge again depends on the run length, by 20 amp should be 12-3 gauge:)

12/2.

And yes, 12/2 or 10/2 is your go-to for running 20A circuits.

But Dan already mentioned this - and he is my master electrician consultant. :)

Thank's for the welcome! :D