Electrical advice needed

[Smokin Joe]

It was my understanding that the op only wanted to separate the lights from the air conditioning, not use the new wire to power the entire space Maybe I'm out of order here and drink too much

 

[burns1n209]

I would assume (and did) that if he was going to run 4k, he would drive his ballasts at 240v. This would result in a lighting load, aside from ballast losses, of just under 17 amps. If his a/c is on a separate circuit, he should be fine with the 5700+ watts that he would have available from an 80% loaded, 30a 240v circuit. The 80% limitation only refers to continuous loads - shorter duration loads can run up to the full rating of the breaker.

That said, if it was me, I wouldn't bother to run a sub-panel without carrying 60 amps to it.

Nice drawing! Note that the ground rod on the sub-panel is only required if the sub is in a different structure than the main.

Thanks, he never stated if he was gonna run at 240 or not to the ballast so i just went with the imprecision he would run then at 120 because hes gonna run an a/c and some blowers of 120. Either way 6/3 with 60amps to a panle should be the way to go. better safe then sorry. About the ground rod. i just put that in the pic to be safe, he didnt state if it was in same building or not. anyways good advise rives, sound like you know whats going on.

 

[rives]

It was my understanding that the op only wanted to separate the lights from the air conditioning, not use the new wire to power the entire space Maybe I'm out of order here and drink too much

I jumped into this one a bit late myself, and was trying to clear up the confusion about the contradictory nature of the "10/3" designation of cord vs romex.

Thanks, he never stated if he was gonna run at 240 or not to the ballast so i just went with the imprecision he would run then at 120 because hes gonna run an a/c and some blowers of 120. Either way 6/3 with 60amps to a panle should be the way to go. better safe then sorry. About the ground rod. i just put that in the pic to be safe, he didnt state if it was in same building or not. anyways good advise rives, sound like you know whats going on.

Yes, I like having plenty of power and doing things once! I thought that your drawing was great, and it states that the sub-panel is in a separate building - I just wanted to make the connection that the separation is what made the second ground rod necessary. Everyone's input on this stuff is great - more perspectives help people understand better, I think.

 

[Greeco]

I ended up taping into the range in the house and using 8/3 wire. I put a conjunction box up in the attic and ran the wire into my room. It was a lot easier then going to the panel. So know I have 40 amps and it was cheaper. The stove will never be used for as long as I am there so no big deal there. I should have taken pictures for everyone to see, but its was HOT up there. Even in the morning.