I am not an electrician, but an end user.

I am planning to build a very powerful server for running LLMs. It will have many GPUs and can realistically hit a 1500 watt sustained load. The PSU in my computer can handle 240v but I do not have access to a 240v circuit.

My question is whether it is a good idea to somehow balance the load between 2 or 3 120v circuits. If so, what are some methods to safely do this?

  • @eth0slash0
    3•6 months ago

    Ok fair. Two 120V rails in series would supply 240V but I think the dangerous part comes from the ‘also’ and that’s where an electrician would come in and turn this from ‘just a breaker’ to rewiring your house.

    you will also need to replace your receptacle

    True.

    You will also need to upgrade to 12/2

    True.

    I just don’t think it’s safe to say ‘yes just add a 240V breaker and plug it in’ which appears the OP may be at their with level of understanding.

    • @OmgpwniesEnglish
      1•6 months ago

      Agreed, it would be not a great idea, but also pretty useless unless OP is actually building a rackmount server which has power supplies that use 240V, at which point they would need 10/2 and an L6 receptacle, probably an upgraded panel… and really good home insurance.

      Consumer grade PC power supplies that are rated for use here top out at 1600W, which is juuust enough to run on a dedicated 120V 15A circuit (though I’d feel more comfortable with 20A). Just dumping 240V into it doesn’t automatically double it’s power output, it would just use half the current from each phase