Sounds like you were talking at cross purposes... the question could relate to phases... i.e. were you after 400V rather than 230V
It's not a good sign you didn't understand each other!
As above you need to work out how much current you plan to sink as this will determine the thickness of the bit of wire required to get the voltages there..
So... how many machines... how many fan heaters to keep you toasty in winter etc... you need to come up with a guesstimate for how much current you'll be using.
According to my imaginary friend...
... a typical classic arcade machine (from the 80s/90s) draws
between 1.5 to 3.0 Amps when running on a 240V circuit.
However, the exact number depends heavily on the era and type of machine. Let's break it down.
1. Classic Arcade Machines (1980s - 1990s)
These are the standard upright cabinets like
Pac-Man,
Street Fighter II, or
Ms. Pac-Man.
- Typical Power Draw: 300 - 600 Watts
- Amperage Calculation:
- Low end: 300W / 240V = ~1.25 A
- High end: 600W / 240V = ~2.5 A
- Why the range? A simpler game like Pac-Man uses a low-wattage monitor and a simple PCB, drawing less power. A larger, more powerful monitor (like in a Neo Geo MVS cabinet) or a more complex game board will draw more.
2. Modern Arcade Machines (Racing Games, Light Gun Shooters, etc.)
These are the large, deluxe machines found in modern arcades.
- Typical Power Draw: 600 - 1,200+ Watts
- Amperage Calculation:
- Standard: 800W / 240V = ~3.3 A
- High end (e.g., a deluxe racer with force feedback, big subwoofer): 1200W / 240V = ~5.0 A
- Why so high? These machines often contain a powerful PC, multiple amplified speakers, large displays (sometimes multiple), and strong motors for force feedback.
3. Pinball Machines (Solid-State / Early Digital, 1990s - Today)
Pinball machines have solenoids, coils, and motors that create significant inrush current when they fire.
- Typical Power Draw: 200 - 400 Watts (average, but with high momentary spikes)
- Amperage Calculation:
- Average: 300W / 240V = ~1.25 A
- Important Note: The inrush current (the instantaneous spike when a coil activates) can be 5 to 10 times higher than the average draw for a split second. This is why dedicated circuits are often recommended.
Summary Table
| Machine Type | Typical Power (Watts) | Amps @ 240V (Approx.) | Key Considerations |
|---|
| Classic Arcade (80s/90s) | 300W - 600W | 1.25A - 2.5A | Simple, reliable power draw. |
| Modern Deluxe Arcade | 600W - 1200W+ | 2.5A - 5.0A+ | Contains PCs, large amps, and motors. |
| Pinball Machine | 200W - 400W (avg) | 1.0A - 1.7A (avg) | High inrush current spikes. Requires a robust circuit. |
Practical Advice & Safety
- Check the Nameplate: The most accurate way to know is to look for the manufacturer's label or nameplate on the back of the machine. It will state the voltage, frequency (Hz), and often the amperage or wattage directly.
- Startup vs. Running: Machines draw more power (inrush current) for a second or two when first turned on. Your circuit needs to handle this brief spike.
- Circuit Breakers: A standard circuit in many regions is 10A or 16A at 240V. This means you could theoretically run 3-4 classic arcade machines or 2 modern machines on a single 10A circuit. However, it's always best practice not to exceed 80% of the circuit's capacity for continuous load.
- Example: On a 10A circuit, don't draw more than 8A continuously. This would be 3 classic machines (3 * 2.5A = 7.5A).
- Use a Power Meter: For absolute precision, you can use a plug-in power meter (like a Kill-A-Watt). This will tell you the exact wattage and amperage your specific machine uses.
In conclusion, for planning purposes, you can safely estimate that a single classic arcade machine will use about 2-3 Amps on a 240V circuit. Always err on the side of caution and check the specific machine's requirements.
Have fun
)