yapweiliang
Dear all, thank you very much for your thoughts and suggestions. The ratings I quoted are what the manufacturers give in the instruction manuals for power consumption (not power output). The EP2500 would give about 450W into 8 ohm x 2 channels, but power consumption quoted as 2600W (and I think that is when it is used in bridge mode to deliver 2400W into 4 ohm load). It comes with its own 8 amp breaker.
The projector has to give an image on the wall nearly 10 metres away, so I'm not too surprised it is quoted as a 500W. A halogen flood light would be 500 - 1000 W in comparison.
I've summed all the equipment power consumption quoted by manufacturers for all that I am aware is running from that circuit, and if all are at maximum, then it is well in excess of the 16A. Although when running at normal use it will be comfortably below 16A, but there may be unexpected loads, or, power-on surges, etc which therefore require more capacity.
So I think we need to consider these options:
1) increasing the rating of the breaker to a 20 or 32 Amp (assuming the internal wiring is appropriate)
2) change the type of breaker from type B to type C - to allow a bigger initial surge; check that the existing breaker is not faulty
3) check +/- replace/repair the EP2500
4) check that there are no other appliances outside this room that happen to share the same circuit
I think I have enough information to proceed, so, again, thank you very much to everyone for their advice.
Wei Liang
I would not recommend 1) increasing the breaker size without increasing the conductors current carrying capacity is a code violation and very dangerous. 2) it does not appear that you have any inductive appliances therefore I question where an inrush current would come from.
Lights dimming could be a ground fault probably in the equipment but since you mentioned that this is new construction it could be a circuit fault. I would rule out the equipment first. Although it is pure speculation I'm betting the equipment has a fault within the equipment's circuitry.