15 amp with extension cord or 20 amp with extension cord

[bagend12]

I have been reading some of the recent posts here regarding 1000 watt lights and circuits with the correct amps and wire.

My situation is as follows.

I have a "room within a room" I built and am currently running a 1000 watt HPS on and a fan that draws about 80 watts. The HPS light is plugged into a surge protector, connected to an 25 foot extension cord running into a wall socket that is rated at 15 amps. The fan is plugged directly into a wall socket that is on the same circuit.

The only other things on this circuit are some incandescent lighting. That draws another 80 or so watts, these lights are seldom used.

Below this room is the basement that has outlets with 20 amp circuits and 12 gauge wiring.

Eventually I plan on having 20 amp circuits installed in he grow room. But until than, would I be better off running the light and fan to a properly rated extension cord to the outlets that feed off the 20 amp circuit?

 

[OrganicOzarks]

Tap into the 20amp circuit, and bring it upstairs. It's super easy.

 

[bagend12]

Tap into the 20amp circuit, and bring it upstairs. It's super easy.

yeah i dont know..I am really just not that comfortable doing my own wiring. In large part because I know of at least one persons house that burnt down because of home wiring jobs.

Until I can get an electrician in to do the work I want, I am guessing that running an extension cord to the 20 amp outlet in the basement is safer than running it to a 15 amp circuit?

 

[OrganicOzarks]

yeah i dont know..I am really just not that comfortable doing my own wiring. In large part because I know of at least one persons house that burnt down because of home wiring jobs.

Until I can get an electrician in to do the work I want, I am guessing that running an extension cord to the 20 amp outlet in the basement is safer than running it to a 15 amp circuit?

Running your own wiring is the safe way to do it. If you are worried about fire the extension cord should scare the fuck out of you. Get on youtube, and you can conquer basic electrical work safely. I don't trust anyone, so I do all of my own electrical. Also if you can make nice with an electrician they can answer questions for you about code requirements.

 

[rives]

If you are stuck with the cord idea, you are probably better off with the local circuit. A 1000w light on 120v will pull about 9 amps with the ballast losses included. You need to stay under 12 amps on a 15 amp circuit for a continuous load, so it sounds like your load on the circuit is fine. An extension cord should be kept as short as possible but still enable it to be routed where it won't be a trip hazard or subject to damage.

 

[ijim]

I have been in some situations over the years when I have had to run some whacky electrics. A short cord is good. A larger diameter commercial cord will reduce amperage also. When in question. Go through your room regularly and feel your cords. Both at the source and the load. If warm. Upgrade the cord. If still warm upgrade the electrical circuit. My experience only.

 

[Brother Bear]

Don't even let it be a question. If your going to do it, get the biggest damn cord there is to buy.

 

[bagend12]

Go through your room regularly and feel your cords. Both at the source and the load. If warm. Upgrade the cord. If still warm upgrade the electrical circuit. My experience only.

So how warm is warm? I mean, various power tools I use even on my 20 amp circuits where that is the only thing running at the time get warm, even the cord I use to power my laptop gets warm, hell the charger on that thing gets downright hot at times.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

It shouldn't be warm at all. It should be room temperature.

Once it starts producing heat above room temp... it starts impeding resistance, upping the draw and increasing the heat and, again, the resistance.... It's a vicious cycle.

So... more than room temp on your 'lighting' gear power cords and it's time to upgrade the cord or circuit.

Stay Safe!