[Elecraft] Question about 120 volts vs. 240 volts house supply to KPA 500

[Bob McGraw]

I elected to install a 240 volt 20 amp service to my operating 
position.  I used some 75 ft of #10-3 w/ground (4 wires) running from 
the breaker panel to the operation position.  I split off a 120 volt 
service from L1, and a second 120 volt service from L2. Thus there is 
also a 240 volt service, L1 + L2,  for the amp or any amp, past and 
present.  Thus everything in the station shares a common Neutral and 
common Ground.  Many issues are resolved using this approach.   Besides, 
our house was wired with those stab on outlets, of which I have had to 
replace many due to poor connections.

Yes I know that #10 is rated for a 30 amp service. Due to the length of 
the run from the breaker panel to the desk, I choose a larger gauge of 
wire to assure less voltage drop.  Besides, crawling through the attic 
pulling a #10-3 is the same effort as pulling a #12-3.  At the breaker 
panel, the service is protected by 2 individual 20 amp breakers.  I did 
not use a ganged 2 pole breaker.

No ground issues, no hum issues, no buzz issues and no RFI issues.

73

Bob, K4TAX




On 9/20/2024 12:00 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> Message: 11
> Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2024 10:34:35 -0600
> From: Bernie and Cheryl<hamdan at ix.netcom.com>
> To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] Question about 120 volts vs. 240 volts house
> 	supply to	KPA 500
> Message-ID:<b01fe629-1216-4c41-a8db-972bdd0623b9 at ix.netcom.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> Dear Folks:
>
> I have operated my KPA 500 off of a normal wall out let (120 volts) for
> years now and have gotten good service.? However, I've often wondered if
> there would be a definite advantage to getting 240 volt service into the
> shack, so that I could operate the amp off of that supply, as opposed to
> a normal wall outlet.? I recognize that there would be less current
> draw.? My question would be whether it would lessen the wear and tear on
> the amp if I switched to 240 volts?
>
> Thanks and 73 de Bernie, KF0QS
>
-- 
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decide how you’re going to live now. Joan Baez