How do you add amps together?

Adding "amps together" is ambiguous and depends heavily on what you mean by "amps" and what you want to achieve. We need to clarify if you're referring to electrical current (amps) or audio amplifiers (amps). Let's address both interpretations.

1. Adding Electrical Current (Amps)

If you're talking about electrical current, measured in amperes (amps), then:

• Series Circuits: In a series circuit, the current is the same throughout the entire circuit. So, you don't "add" amps in a series circuit. The same current flows through each component.

• Parallel Circuits: In a parallel circuit, the total current entering the parallel branch equals the sum of the currents in each individual branch. Therefore, you add the amperage of each branch to find the total current. For example, if one branch has 2 amps and another has 3 amps, the total current entering the parallel section is 5 amps.

  Here's a table to illustrate:

  Circuit Type	How Amps Behave
  Series	Current is the same
  Parallel	Current is added together

  • Formula: I_total = I₁ + I₂ + I₃ + ... I_n (where I represents current in amps)

  Important Safety Note: Always ensure the wiring and power supply can handle the total current. Overloading a circuit can cause fires.

2. Adding Audio Amplifiers (Amps)

If you mean adding audio amplifiers together, the answer changes significantly. You generally don't directly "add" the outputs of two amplifiers together into the same speaker(s). This can cause damage to the amplifiers, speakers, or both.

• Alternatives to "Adding" Audio Amps:

  • Using Multiple Amps for Different Speakers: A common setup involves using one amp to power one set of speakers and another amp to power a different set of speakers. This requires separate speaker outputs for each amplifier. A mixing console or a preamp with multiple outputs can direct the audio signal to each amplifier.

  • Bi-amping/Tri-amping: This is a technique where different amplifiers power different frequency ranges (e.g., one amp for the woofer, one for the tweeter). It requires an active crossover to split the audio signal into different frequency bands before sending them to the respective amplifiers.

  • Comparing Amps (A/B Testing): You might switch between two amplifiers to compare their sound characteristics, as mentioned in the YouTube video snippet. This involves using a switching device or manually changing the connections, ensuring only one amp is connected to the speakers at any given time.

  • Daisy-Chaining (Specific Amplifier Types): Certain amplifiers, particularly guitar amplifiers designed for this purpose, can be daisy-chained. This typically connects the output of one amp to the input of another, but this configuration usually replicates the same signal rather than adding the power of the two amps together to drive one speaker. It allows for using the effects and tone shaping of both amplifiers. Always check the manufacturer's instructions before attempting this.

In summary, you add electrical current in parallel circuits by summing the amps from each branch, and you don't directly combine the outputs of multiple audio amplifiers into a single speaker load without specific, carefully planned configurations (like bi-amping or daisy-chaining on supported devices) to avoid damage. It's more common to use multiple amplifiers for different speakers or to switch between them for comparison.