Photo: pinballphotos
  1. » Forum
  2. » Tech
  3. » Tech: Generic
  4. » How many pins per Circuit?
(Topic ID: 304335)

How many pins per Circuit?

By insertcoin

2 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 13 posts
  • 12 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 2 years ago by mrm_4
  • Topic is favorited by 2 Pinsiders

You

Linked Games

No games have been linked to this topic.

    0
    0
    0
    #1 2 years ago
    OP
     
    MM

    insertcoin

    Pinside+ Frequent

    10y 42,150 82

    I know it varies per outlet, fuse, circuit and machine but GENERALLY, how many pins can be safely connected to a typical, residential electrical circuit? I'm assuming it doesn't matter so much if they're all plugged into ONE outlet (via surge protector) or in multiple outlets -if they're all still drawing power from the same circuit, how many pins can I run at the same time? I have a 150amp (residential) box. Just wondering, because as the collection grows, should too should my power supply? Thanks for any insight!

    0
    2
    2
    #2 2 years ago
     
    MJS

    schudel5

    Pinside member

    20y 166K 6,394 27

    Been asked many times over the years. 6 per 20A,120V circuit and 4 per 15A,120V circuit. You can probably get 8 on a 20A and 6 on a 15A but now you are pushing it.

    0
    0
    0
    #3 2 years ago
     
    PGR

    VALIS666

    Pinside+ Frequent

    4y 116K 1,129 245 1

    Very widely discussed over the years here if you do some searches and want to read more. From my measurements with those plug-in meters, LED pins idle under 0.5A and ask for about 1-2A during play, occasionally some will ask for a bit more (like JJPotC, I think that spiked at like 2.5-3). I personally go 8 pins per 20A but they're rarely all on at the same time so it doesn't really matter.

    0
    0
    0
    #4 2 years ago
    OP
     
    MM

    insertcoin

    Pinside+ Frequent

    10y 42,150 82

    Perfect -thanks!

    0
    2
    2
    #5 2 years ago
     
    TLZ

    timtim

    Pinside member

    9y 89,300 2,958 8 7

    Only one way to find out.

    0
    0
    0
    #6 2 years ago
     
    BAD

    Spiderpin

    Pinside+ Addict

    6y 107K 2,706

    I had 11 pins on one 20A at a party once. 3 pins were EM's, 5 Sam's and 3 Spikes. Nothing tripped and I'm sure a few time all were being played at the same time. I really was expecting something to blow.
    Maybe if all would have gotten a multiball and shakers motor going at same time it would've.

    0
    0
    0
    #7 2 years ago
     
    JER

    Jjsmooth

    Pincinnati

    9y 104K 3,582 14 8

    LEDs help to lower the current draw per machine.

    0
    0
    0
    #8 2 years ago
     
    ELJ

    crujones4life

    Pinside member

    US Cedar Hill, MO

    9y 110K 4,315 10 16

    In my previous house my arcade would trip the breaker way too often if multiple games were being played. I think I only had 2 circuits in the whole arcade. Can't remember the amperage. What I do remember is the rage I felt every time the breaker tripped and I was left standing in a dark basement with no power. Moved to my new house and when I built my dream arcade I added 8 20amp circuits and 25 outlets. I have like 25 games (pinball and arcade). Overkill for sure. I couldn't trip a breaker if I tried to now. So, to answer your question, I have anywhere between 2 to 4 games per 20amp circuit.

    0
    0
    0
    #9 2 years ago
     
    GMK

    grantopia

    Pinside member

    US Fairview Park, OH

    8y 99,600 3,563 8

    I run 6 per 20A circuit.

    0
    0
    0
    #10 2 years ago
     
    CCZ

    Conrad

    Pinside+ Frequent

    US Milwaukee, WI

    5y 51,300 140 18 29

    I currently have 5 pins (4 out of 5 are LED). Than I also have a shuffleboard bowling alley on the same 20amp circuit. Never had any issues.

    0
    0
    0
    #11 2 years ago
     
    EJS

    EJS

    Pinball Outpost

    11y 223K 14,859 1

    Also can depend on what you have. I can easily get 8 EMs on a 20A with LEDs

    When I have a party I have my TZ plugged into an outlet that’s on its own 20A with a couple EMs

    0
    0
    0
    #12 2 years ago
     
    JEV

    yaksplat

    Pinside member

    US Lancaster, NY

    8y 85,300 2,103 8 6

    85% of the rated amperage of the circuit.

    0
    0
    0
    #13 2 years ago
     
    MRM

    mrm_4

    Pinside+ Frequent

    6y 126K 6,211 11 1

    I have 3 Ems and 5 Solid States/Moderns on one 15 amp circuit. No issues when I host home tournaments. All games going at the same time with room lighting, a mini fridge and dehumidifier on the same line.

    https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/hosting-my-first-pinball-night/page/2#post-6567442

    Reply

    Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.

    Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

    Donate to Pinside

    Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!

    This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-many-pins-per-circuit?hl=conrad and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

    Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.