Household Circuiting Basics

• The standard household circuit in the US can handle approximately 2400 watts, but some only handle 1800. The formula to calculate this is Watts = Volts x Amps. If you want to know the wattage your circuit can handle, look at the circuit breakers in your electrical panel. They generally will have the number 15 or 20 on them, which indicates their amperage. Standard voltage in the US is 120, so multiply the amperage by 120. If the breaker that controls the circuit where your TV is plugged in says 15, then 15 x 120 = 1800. If your breaker says 20, then 20 x 120 = 2400. The result is how many watts you can draw from that circuit, including your TV's power, without overtaxing the circuit.
  
  

Wiring Basics

• Most houses are wired so a single electrical circuit controls the outlets in one section of the house, as well as the lighting fixtures in that section. This may be a single room or an entire floor, depending on how the system was constructed. Your circuit breaker panel should have the general area labeled, such as "Living and dining room" or "Upstairs bedrooms." Once you have determined the general area covered by the circuit where your TV is plugged in, you will know which light fixtures and other appliances are competing with that circuit. Another way to determine this is to turn on nearby lights, and then shut off the breaker that controls the outlet where your TV is plugged in. Any lights that turn off are on the same circuit.
  
  

Determining Load

• The load on an electrical circuit is any light bulb, appliance or other item that draws its power from that circuit. Now that you have determined which areas your circuit covers, add up the wattage of every light bulb on that circuit. Also add in your TV's wattage, which you can generally find in the manufacturer's paperwork that came with it or online by entering the TV make and model. Do the same to determine the wattage for any other appliances.
  
  

Solution

• Unplug any unnecessary loads or turn off any unused lights on your TV's circuit. Choose lower wattage bulbs, such as compact fluorescents, to further the amount of power pulled from the circuit without reducing the amount of light. If you have reduced the amount of wattage on your circuit significantly and still experience dimming lights when you turn on your TV, have a professional electrician check your wiring for problems. Your wiring may be a thinner gauge than your electrical needs require.