12 guage vs 14 guage for 1000 watt ballast

[BubsNugs]

title sums it up...

Bought a bare bones 1000 watt hps kit few days ago n buddy says use 12 guage wire to set it up but i thinkin damn thats some thick heavy wire. Is it required or would the 14 guage be ok? oris this 12 guage better quality n safer?

Electricity is a trip intresting stuff tho n shit scares me .

Peace

 

[FreezerBoy]

14 would be bare minimum. It's the standard for interior wiring in the States. I'd go with 12 but, I'm a coward. I'd spend the extra $3 for peace of mind.

 

[nuggiespl]

120 or 240 v 1000/120= 8.33 amps 1000/240= 4.16 amps , either way ur fine 14 ga = 15 amps u should de rate to 80 % so 12 amps for #14 ga, 12ga = 20 amps * 80% = 16 amps either way u wll be fine,

 

[Entropic]

There are ways to manage the thicker wire, secure it with brackets or cable ties, I'm with FreezerBoy, better to overbuild.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

Needle nose pliers are handy when working with stiff electrical wire. 12ga will handle the heat better imo.

 

[mixin]

120 or 240 v 1000/120= 8.33 amps 1000/240= 4.16 amps , either way ur fine 14 ga = 15 amps u should de rate to 80 % so 12 amps for #14 ga, 12ga = 20 amps * 80% = 16 amps either way u wll be fine,

this guy is dead on

 

[Mr. Stinky]

you will add another light soon enuf, so you might as well wire it 12ga. and id suggest 240v if your ballast has the option.

 

[antimatter]

120 or 240 v 1000/120= 8.33 amps 1000/240= 4.16 amps , either way ur fine 14 ga = 15 amps u should de rate to 80 % so 12 amps for #14 ga, 12ga = 20 amps * 80% = 16 amps either way u wll be fine,

bingo.....

 

[FreezerBoy]

this guy is dead on

Did you have to say it that way? LOL.

 

[BubsNugs]

Thanks for all the advice folks

Kinda what i figured but with electricity better be fuckin sure my figurin is figured properlly lol

Peace

 

[badugi]

You can use stranded wire if it's so difficult to maneuver.

Personally I don't think you'll really benefit from having #12 over #14 for ballast internal components. But you'll probably be buying wire by the foot, and the price difference between #12 and #14 is likely something like $0.02 - $0.05 difference per foot, and considering how your entire project will likely require less than a total of 5 feet, I'd say spend the extra $0.25.

If you wanted to play really safe, you could get the wire with the extra heat-resistant white nylon (or whatever) insulation.

 

[BeeBee]

For wiring the internal components in the ballast, use 14 gauge stranded wire. Even 16 gauge will do--the wires are only a few inches long! Notice how thin the wires are on the capacitor and ignitor, even the ballast?
The connections are the important thing. Use the proper size of wire nut, and make sure they are secure.
For regular electrical circuits in grow areas, why not make 12 gauge wire (20 amp circuits) your standard?