blueskydriver
06-19-2010, 06:02 AM
Here is a topic that I've seen no discussions on the subject (after searching):
Note: This is long, but good reading.
120/240 Volt Power Sources for your Cockpit and the Safety of it's use.
So, here are some questions that you might want to answer about your cockpit. Which cockpit will I build? Where is it located? How many power outlets do you have versus how many you need? What are the total amps/watts you need?
1. Either big or small, cockpits require raw power, do you know how much power in either amps or watts you'll be using? If you don't know this, start looking at every device you have (computer, monitor, I/O cards with seperate power supplies-know as wall warts) and read the labels. You'll either find watts or amps on them. Add all that info up, you'll then have a good estimate. Add at least 20% more to that number, if not more...for future expansion.
2. Where is the cockpit loacted? Garage, Bedroom, Apartment Living Room, or seperate out building? In any of these cases, you'll likely have 15-30 Amp outlets. Mostly you'll find 15 Amps, but if you're lucky, it'll be 30 Amp. However, I would bet anything that the circuits are being shared somewhere else already. How many times have you tripped the circuit breakers when someone else turns on a light in another room while your cockpit is all turned on? The point is, if you're sharing the circuit, that leaves you with less Amps/Watts avalable for your cockpit, and if your cockpit is not close enough to the outlet(s) where you're using extension cords and power strips, you'll have even more problems with the Amps/Watts.
Extension cords are usually meant for a specific use and those power strips you're using might be surge protected, but they're limited in Amps like the cords. You'll find that a lot of power strips are only rated for 15 Amps.
3. Do you know how to calculate your power needs? If not, here is a quick way: If you know the Total Watts then divide by the Voltage being used to find the Amps, in example 1200 watts divide by 120 volts equals 10 Amps. If you know the Amps, you then multiply by the Volts to get Watts.
Here is something you need to consider. In the US, the typical home has a 200 Amp Main Circuit Breaker for the entire house. So, if your cockpit project has 8 computers; 6 monitors in the MIP (B737 example 2-PD/ND, 1-Upper EICAS, 1-Lower EICAS, 2-CDU's); Powered USB Hubs; Extra PSU for the MIP, Overhead, Ped; and the Wall Warts for the MCP/EFIS units. How much do you think that is in power requirement that you'll need/use? If you say, "I'm just doing a C172 with one computer, monitor and some units like GoFlight stuff (that you'll likely use some USB Hubs for) on one outlet that I think is a 15 Amp circuit"
Well, what if your computer is the latest greatest 1000 WATT Powered Unit, with a 2 Amp Monitor and a USB Unit that draws .05 Amps, will your 15 Amp circuit support it? What if your room, say living or bedroom also has a TV, stereo, cell phone charger, two lamps, and cordless phone all on the same circuit, but plugged into different outlets? Now will you have enough on that same 15 Amp circuit?
Of course you might say "I don't know" or that "the entire 15 Amps (or the entire 200 Amps) is not likely to be used all at once", but if you're sharing outlets on one 15 Amp circuit, as I mentioned, do you think the continous use is now higher? 200 Amp total does not matter, it's the individual circuit Amps total that is important. And, how about those extension cords/power strips, if you're really sucking the power, how long before they start melting from heat?
Take this from lessons learned, melting extension cord ends or power strip outlets is very scary because unless the hot (black) and the netural (white) arc with each other or the ground (usually green), and thereby tripping the breaker, the cords, strips will melt and catch fire long before the arcing occurs.
Here is a sure sign that you got problems, look at any power strips and if you see any discoloration on that strip from heat (look for yellow or brown staining), or feel those cords and wall warts, if they're too hot to touch, you got serious issues! STOP what you're doing and rethink your power usage/needs. Also, unplug and avoid any extension cords and move closer to the wall outlet(s).
I am no electrician, but you should either call one or get an electrical book to understand this more! Why? Well, if you set your house or apartment on fire because you're doing something in it that it's not designed to do, you'll be at fault, and your insurance company will blame you for neglectful acts and not pay after your place is in smoldering ruins...
However, there is hope! Ask an electrician about your cockpit and he can help you get all the power you need by adding circuits, outlets, sub-panels, etc, etc. Thus, you can still have fun, but you'll be safe while doing it!
Note: This is long, but good reading.
120/240 Volt Power Sources for your Cockpit and the Safety of it's use.
So, here are some questions that you might want to answer about your cockpit. Which cockpit will I build? Where is it located? How many power outlets do you have versus how many you need? What are the total amps/watts you need?
1. Either big or small, cockpits require raw power, do you know how much power in either amps or watts you'll be using? If you don't know this, start looking at every device you have (computer, monitor, I/O cards with seperate power supplies-know as wall warts) and read the labels. You'll either find watts or amps on them. Add all that info up, you'll then have a good estimate. Add at least 20% more to that number, if not more...for future expansion.
2. Where is the cockpit loacted? Garage, Bedroom, Apartment Living Room, or seperate out building? In any of these cases, you'll likely have 15-30 Amp outlets. Mostly you'll find 15 Amps, but if you're lucky, it'll be 30 Amp. However, I would bet anything that the circuits are being shared somewhere else already. How many times have you tripped the circuit breakers when someone else turns on a light in another room while your cockpit is all turned on? The point is, if you're sharing the circuit, that leaves you with less Amps/Watts avalable for your cockpit, and if your cockpit is not close enough to the outlet(s) where you're using extension cords and power strips, you'll have even more problems with the Amps/Watts.
Extension cords are usually meant for a specific use and those power strips you're using might be surge protected, but they're limited in Amps like the cords. You'll find that a lot of power strips are only rated for 15 Amps.
3. Do you know how to calculate your power needs? If not, here is a quick way: If you know the Total Watts then divide by the Voltage being used to find the Amps, in example 1200 watts divide by 120 volts equals 10 Amps. If you know the Amps, you then multiply by the Volts to get Watts.
Here is something you need to consider. In the US, the typical home has a 200 Amp Main Circuit Breaker for the entire house. So, if your cockpit project has 8 computers; 6 monitors in the MIP (B737 example 2-PD/ND, 1-Upper EICAS, 1-Lower EICAS, 2-CDU's); Powered USB Hubs; Extra PSU for the MIP, Overhead, Ped; and the Wall Warts for the MCP/EFIS units. How much do you think that is in power requirement that you'll need/use? If you say, "I'm just doing a C172 with one computer, monitor and some units like GoFlight stuff (that you'll likely use some USB Hubs for) on one outlet that I think is a 15 Amp circuit"
Well, what if your computer is the latest greatest 1000 WATT Powered Unit, with a 2 Amp Monitor and a USB Unit that draws .05 Amps, will your 15 Amp circuit support it? What if your room, say living or bedroom also has a TV, stereo, cell phone charger, two lamps, and cordless phone all on the same circuit, but plugged into different outlets? Now will you have enough on that same 15 Amp circuit?
Of course you might say "I don't know" or that "the entire 15 Amps (or the entire 200 Amps) is not likely to be used all at once", but if you're sharing outlets on one 15 Amp circuit, as I mentioned, do you think the continous use is now higher? 200 Amp total does not matter, it's the individual circuit Amps total that is important. And, how about those extension cords/power strips, if you're really sucking the power, how long before they start melting from heat?
Take this from lessons learned, melting extension cord ends or power strip outlets is very scary because unless the hot (black) and the netural (white) arc with each other or the ground (usually green), and thereby tripping the breaker, the cords, strips will melt and catch fire long before the arcing occurs.
Here is a sure sign that you got problems, look at any power strips and if you see any discoloration on that strip from heat (look for yellow or brown staining), or feel those cords and wall warts, if they're too hot to touch, you got serious issues! STOP what you're doing and rethink your power usage/needs. Also, unplug and avoid any extension cords and move closer to the wall outlet(s).
I am no electrician, but you should either call one or get an electrical book to understand this more! Why? Well, if you set your house or apartment on fire because you're doing something in it that it's not designed to do, you'll be at fault, and your insurance company will blame you for neglectful acts and not pay after your place is in smoldering ruins...
However, there is hope! Ask an electrician about your cockpit and he can help you get all the power you need by adding circuits, outlets, sub-panels, etc, etc. Thus, you can still have fun, but you'll be safe while doing it!