PDP-11 power requirements

Patrick> Well, here everything is rated for "20 amps" and labelled as Patrick> such, but there's a difference between continuous load (eg, Patrick> lights or appliances that are continuously on, such as Patrick> emergency lighting, or computers in some cases), and Patrick> intermittent load (eg, a vacuum cleaner, kitchen appliances, Patrick> etc). You're allowed to use the full rating for Patrick> intermittent loads, but only 80% of the rating for Patrick> continuous loads. There are some additional rules for special cases. For example, for electric welders there are a whole lot of derating factors specified for different duty cycles. At the lowest duty cycles you're allowed to put amazing amounts of current through rather small wires. Read the official docs for the details, if you need them... paul