What do I need to do to increase electrical capacity?

[420ponics]

In a few months I plan on having a 3000 watt grow room. That's 3k watts total. Lights, pumps, fans, etc...What do I need to do to beef up my electrical system to hold that kind of power. I don't want to burn the place down. How much would the parts costs? I know someone that can install it for me for free so I'm not worried about that. Thanks!

Ponics.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

I'd start by getting a 30a/240v circuit dropped into the room with a subpanel. Snag a 40a/240v intermatic timer for the lights, and a 20a/120v circuit for the fans and pumps.

Should run around $300-400 for parts...

 

[420ponics]

Thanks, any other input? Does this sound good to everyone else? I just want to be safe! Would this require that I tear hole into my wall, or could I just run some wires from the breaker itself? Any links about this sort of thing? Thanks!

Ponics.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Basically you need to have a new circuit breaker installed and a wire fished down the wall to it...the other end will usually run through the attic the the area above where the subpanel will be located and fished down the wall and pulled out a gang box so that it can feed the subpanel. The subpanel is basically just a small breaker box that will take the power and break it down to more convenient circuits.

The actual running of the wire will vary depending on where your main panel is, what type of walls you have, what kind of access you have to the main panel and where the circuit is to be run to.

I'm guessing that since you're asking questions like this that you've never done any home wiring, so I'd strongly recommend getting a licensed electrician to do the work. The work is relatively safe to do with standard precautions, but it can be very dangerous if you're not familiar with home wiring.

Check out your local home improvement megastore and they should have some books for around $20 that'll show you how to do it.

If you do the work yourself or via a friend, make sure to turn off the main breaker on the main panel and test the hot bus bars with a voltage meter before sticking your hands in there to pull the wires or connect up the breakers. Electricians gloves are highly recommended if there is no main disconnect.

 

[Chiefsmokingbud]

Sandman's advice is good however i would suggest having someone with electrical experience to install it

 

[radium-]

won't most electricians find it weird when you ask to install a subpanel in a closet or a bedroom with a 240v circuit? Lol

 

[emkman]

won't most electricians' families find it wierd when they leave for work but return home with no money because they couldn't mind their own business? lol

 

[MTF-Sandman]

To the average electrician, there's alot of reasons that a subpanel could be installed in a bedroom...if they give you any guff, tell him you're doing a home based internet business and you'll need to install several servers, packaging equipment and some other office equipment. If you're worried about that, just do a little research on various home businesses and find one that has similar setup requirements. That's a very plausible reason as long as there's not a bunch of plants hanging in the room drying. Like emkman said, most of them really don't care what it's for as long as it's not an obvious illegal activity and they get payed. Hell, I'll install it for you if you fly my over there

 

[supernerd]

Pay the people and most people will mind there own business.