OUTLET/ POWER / Electronics help needed.

[solace]

So i just bought a mediocre multimeter. But don't know how to use it quite yet - but the purpose of getting it was to see if my room would be able to support the amount of electricity i will be using. Which I already know, can't - so there is no point it seems to figuring out the multimeter-

Anyways, the point of me making this thread is because I want to ensure the safety of my grow without having any lights go out or blow any circuits - or even worse, cause a fire.

How would I go about doing this? I will have two 400W hps grow lights - and a 100w fluoro cab for the mother plant. Not to mention the electricity the fans will take. So i estimate 1000-1200 watts - plus whatever gets plugged in outside the room such as table saw/power tool.... so to be safe I should set something up that can handle more then 1500w/15 amps... really i know nothign about eletricity and how to setup anything past a basic outlet.

Some form of direction would be much appreciated - do i need to call an electrician for this? I need to start my grow ASAP but don't want to until i have this eletricity issue off my shoulders. Is there something i can just buy off ebay for an ok price and just connect up or is it not that easy....

THANKS for any input!

 

[solace]

uhmm my bad for being a fool and not searching more thoroughly - i found this http://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=142577
and skimmed it - and will have to take a look at my growroom again tomorrow to know for sure if i can do this on my own.

:S
I may have to call an electrician. I hope this wont cost 200+ USD if i do though.
My excuse for the necessity of this is I'm turning it into a glass blowing and ceramics studio (which is partially true - and fully true for summer time) - so it shouldn't be a problem.

I just need to figure out first if i'm going to be able to do it on my own - if i end up having to get a 10 or 12 gauge wire that isn't already leading from the main panel to the growroom - idk how i'm gonna do that so electrician will need to come.

Will get pictures of wires available tomorrow so i can consult you guys in case i get confused but i should be fine.

 

[solace]

I do believe they are 10g wires coming from my outlet so... I take it that's good?

 

[Lord Doobie]

I read that thread you posted (it's new) and added a few items to it. You can add up what watts/amps you're going to use or simply call an electrician and ask using the power tools as an excuse. He'll probably want to do the job. The meter can probably be returned. The table/power saw and other tools should probably be on it's own circuit. So should your grow lights.

 

[solace]

Ah thanks for the advice LD - I'm going to be selling those main power tools anyways so it shouldn't be a problem having them on the same circuit but - if i do end up having an electrician come over i'll have him do it anyways. I still need some help though, should A: call an electrician or B: do it myself now that i know it's already going to main panel of the house? Just just install a breaker in the room or what? That thread doesn't seem to help me with my confusion..

 

[solace]

I found some more info from https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=117867
I think this clears it up for me. Except for one last thing - how do i pick out the outlet/breaker (idk what it's called) that's right for me? Hardware store? Actually.... forget that question i'll ask someone at the hardware store - excuse, I need more voltage/amps for the many o' tools i'm using

 

[macro]

The breaker you buy MUST be the same brand as the panel/sub panel you are installing it to.

Breakers are sold by how many amps they take before they trip. You do not want to buy a significantly higher capacity breaker than your equipment because you want your breaker to trip to protect equipment should a problem happen.

So it sounds like a 15 amp service is all that is necessary, you may want to change it to a 20 amp breaker to support more equipment.

Isn't your grow room already on a 15 amp service? With 10 gauge wires for room to upgrade. Maybe install a GFCI receptacle and you're ready to go.

 

[solace]

can i install a 20 amp breaker on the 10 gauge or will i have to get a 30amp breaker?

I'm calling an electrician today cause my house is too much to risk to a fire from my ignorance on the topic :S

 

[PharmaCan]

can i install a 20 amp breaker on the 10 gauge or will i have to get a 30amp breaker?

I'm calling an electrician today cause my house is too much to risk to a fire from my ignorance on the topic :S

If you can answer a few simple questions, I might be able to set you on the right path.

You say that there is 10ga. wire leading from your main breaker panel to your room. Are you sure it is 10ga.? I ask because 10ga in your wall would be rather unusual unless it was for some special-purpose receptacle. Anyway, make sure of the size of the wire in the wall, it's important.

The wire that you think is #10, how many wires are in the cable?

The wire that you think is #10, where does it go in your panel? What are the #10 wires hooked up to right now? If it's a breaker, how big is the breaker? (The number on the switch tab.)

What's on the receptacle end of the #10 wire right now? A receptacle? Wire nuts? Grandma's iron lung?

Are there any other receptacles or lights on the circuit in question?

PC

 

[sparkjumper]

If you want to go by code and bygod ya better lol or you'lll get beat up #10 AWG shall be protected by a 30A OC device.That being said its never unsafe to underrate a breaker for a specific circuit.When your breaker is rated higher than the wire its protecting,thats when you have a fire hazardEDIT The word "shall" means mandatory when found in the NEC.14 shall be protected by a 15A breaker #12 by a 20A and #10 by a 30A