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# Power Supply
- URL: https://www.flightsimgarage.com/dedicated-20a-circuit/
- Published: 2026-03-27T17:22:48.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-27T18:24:46.000Z
- Author: Flight SIM Garage
- Tags: reference, hardware

## PLANNING

### Overview

- ⚡️ Estimated home flight simulator load = \~1600W
- 🚫 Current circuit capacity = \~1440W

__Electric circuit planning for powering a home flight simulator.__
| CIRCUIT               | MAX LOAD | SAFE LOAD (80%) |
| --------------------- | -------- | --------------- |
| 🚫 15A/120V (current) | 1800W    | 1440W           |
| ✅ 20A/120V            | 2400W    | 1920W           |

🔢

**Calculation: Safe continuous load (3 hours) = Amps \* Volts \* 80%*

### Requirements

- dedicated 20A circuit used only to power the flight simulator
- maximum safe continuous load (80%) of 1920W
- install additional, dedicated 20A circuit if safe continuous load exceeded
- minimum circuit length to prevent voltage drop
- centrally located for clean cord routing

### Estimated Power Usage

__Estimated power consumption for a Cessna 172 home flight simulator.__
| DEVICE                   | QTY   | AMPS    | VOLTS   | WATTS   | TOTAL         |
| ------------------------ | ----- | ------- | ------- | ------- | ------------- |
| 55" TV                   | 3     | (enter) | (enter) | (enter) | (enter)       |
| Instrument Panel Monitor | 1     | (enter) | (enter) | (enter) | (enter)       |
| USB Hub                  | 1     | (enter) | (enter) | (enter) | (enter)       |
| USB Components           | \~ 20 | (enter) | (enter) | (enter) | (enter)       |
| iPad                     | 1     | (enter) | (enter) | (enter) | (enter)       |
|                          |       |         |         |         | (total watts) |

## REQUIRED PARTS AND TOOLS

### Parts

__Parts required to install a dedicated 20A power service for a Cessna 172 home flight simulator.__
| COUNT | ITEM                | DESCRIPTION |
| ----- | ------------------- | ----------- |
| 1     | Circuit Breaker     | 20 Amp      |
| 1     | Old-Work Outlet Box | 2 Gang      |
| 4     | Electrical Outlet   | 20 Amp      |
| 2     | Outlet Cover        | Dual Outlet |
| 1     | 12-2 Copper Wire    | \~25'       |
| 6     | Wire Nuts           | ?           |

### Tools

- wire cutters
- side snips
- drywall saw
- tape measure
- utility knife
- flathead screwdriver
- outlet screw bit
- permanent marker

## INSTALLATION

### Step 1: Run 12AWG Wire

- cut outlet hole
- drill wire penetration holes
- pull wire from breaker panel to outlet location
- seal all wire penetration points

### Step 2: Install 20A Outlet

- pull wire through uninstalled outlet box
- install remodel outlet box
- wire up outlets
- install outlets
- install outlet cover plate

### Step 3: Install 20A Breaker

- prep and run wire to breaker location in panel
- wire 20A breaker and install (in off position)
- confirm connection points and wire condition
- turn on new 20A breaker
- test at outlet

### FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS