Studio Power Issue

Greetings from Seattle,

My studio is presently set up in a bedroom. I am using a pretty powerful rack mount pc with a rack full of hardware. The power at the outlet is only 15 amp service. I have an inexpensive Furman Power conditioner rated at 1800 watts. For the most part this has been pretty good.  Lately, with a bit more equipment installed in my rack, I have been having problems with the breaker tripping.  I was wondering if anyone was familiar with the larger Furman or Monster Power distribution devices and if they will give me a bit of breathing room on the power rating and keep my breakers from popping. The house I live in is rented and upgrading to 20 amp service is out of the question. Any others have this problem?  How did you deal with it?

Thanks,

Soop

Are you saying the breaker on the Furman is tripping - or the breaker in the home? If it is the breaker in the home, then upgrading the Furman is not likely to solve the problem. You are simply drawing too much power from the 15 amp circuit.

1. It should come as obvious, but make sure nothing else it being used on that circuit. Is there anything else on that circuit that is eating your power? (lights, heater, tv, etc... etc...)
2. It is quite possible that the current breaker is weak and needs to be replaced. It may be tripping far below the 15 amp rating. This is quite common, especially as breakers age (age comes with age and usage). I'm sure you could convince the owner of the property to put in a new 15 amp breaker.
3. The other solution is to run a 2nd line into the studio room from another circuit. It's a lot cheaper than upgrading to a 20amp circuit . Since this is a rented home, you would likely need to run an extension cord - so make sure it is very high quality. You don't want to save a dollar on an extension cord.

EDIT: Sorry bvideo, your post came in while I was typing! Same suggestions by the looks of it.

I agree, being in the electrical biz fro many years.

Check to see what else is on the circuit. Quite often, especially in bedrooms, one circuit will often cover 3 rooms and the hall.

A drop cord will work as long as it's on a different circuit. (see line above)

If you have been there for a while, or plan to be renting the house for a few more years, and have a good relationship with the landlord, such as paying rent on time....etc.... maybe you could talk him into having an electrician run a new 20A circuit to that room for you.

Depending on the details of the panel and the house, it might be a very easy job to do...or not.

If you are popping a 15A breaker just with the gear from the studio, you are running a pretty heavy load.  Another solution is to only turn on the gear you need when you need it rather than running the whole rack all the time.