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Breakers for KPA1500?

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K7TV

Breakers for KPA1500?

It is abundantly clear that 3 conductors plus protective ground are needed
if there will be any load, on the same circuit, that requires 120V as
opposed to 240V only. I certainly agree 100%. It is also clear that the
person who installs 240V for the PA only could get away with one conductor
less. In that case, his other ham equipment would presumably run on older
120V wiring. So, the person contemplating the installation of 240V for the
PA has a choice: Should he add the extra conductor to make possible
operation of 120V equipment on the new wiring? An argument against it would
be that it puts more load on the new wiring and it doesn't utilize the 120V
capacity already installed. However, as has been pointed out, ham equipment
doesn't constitute that much of a load, even for a station at full legal
power. My personal feeling is that it is a good idea to use the new wiring
(with all 4 conductors) for all the ham equipment, as mixing the old and new
power circuits provides more opportunity for disastrous transient damage
with a nearby lightning strike. Just my 2c.

73,
Erik K7TV

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Don Wilhelm

Re: Breakers for KPA1500?

Erik,

One of the benefits of using a new and direct line to the breaker box to
power both 240 and 120 in the shack is that the 120 volt (and the 240
volt) green wire ground is a straight run to the breaker box instead of
being run willy-nilly from receptacle to receptacle through the house.
The one dedicated run creates less noise on the power to the shack.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/10/2018 11:40 AM, Erik Basilier wrote:

> It is abundantly clear that 3 conductors plus protective ground are needed
> if there will be any load, on the same circuit, that requires 120V as
> opposed to 240V only. I certainly agree 100%. It is also clear that the
> person who installs 240V for the PA only could get away with one conductor
> less. In that case, his other ham equipment would presumably run on older
> 120V wiring. So, the person contemplating the installation of 240V for the
> PA has a choice: Should he add the extra conductor to make possible
> operation of 120V equipment on the new wiring? An argument against it would
> be that it puts more load on the new wiring and it doesn't utilize the 120V
> capacity already installed. However, as has been pointed out, ham equipment
> doesn't constitute that much of a load, even for a station at full legal
> power. My personal feeling is that it is a good idea to use the new wiring
> (with all 4 conductors) for all the ham equipment, as mixing the old and new
> power circuits provides more opportunity for disastrous transient damage
> with a nearby lightning strike. Just my 2c.

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K7TV

Re: Breakers for KPA1500?

In reply to this post by K7TV

Don,
Yes, good point.
73,
Erik K7TV

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 8:56 AM
To: Erik Basilier <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Breakers for KPA1500?

Erik,

One of the benefits of using a new and direct line to the breaker box to power both 240 and 120 in the shack is that the 120 volt (and the 240
volt) green wire ground is a straight run to the breaker box instead of being run willy-nilly from receptacle to receptacle through the house.
The one dedicated run creates less noise on the power to the shack.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/10/2018 11:40 AM, Erik Basilier wrote:

> It is abundantly clear that 3 conductors plus protective ground are
> needed if there will be any load, on the same circuit, that requires
> 120V as opposed to 240V only. I certainly agree 100%. It is also clear
> that the person who installs 240V for the PA only could get away with
> one conductor less. In that case, his other ham equipment would
> presumably run on older 120V wiring. So, the person contemplating the
> installation of 240V for the PA has a choice: Should he add the extra
> conductor to make possible operation of 120V equipment on the new
> wiring? An argument against it would be that it puts more load on the
> new wiring and it doesn't utilize the 120V capacity already installed.
> However, as has been pointed out, ham equipment doesn't constitute
> that much of a load, even for a station at full legal power. My
> personal feeling is that it is a good idea to use the new wiring (with
> all 4 conductors) for all the ham equipment, as mixing the old and new
> power circuits provides more opportunity for disastrous transient damage with a nearby lightning strike. Just my 2c.