Would it be safe to run this setup on a 15 amp circut?

[NorthernKronic]

Hello everyone

I have a question for the electrical heads out there. I want to know if it is safe to run this setup on my bedrooms 15 amp circuit.
2 x 400 watt hps actually one is a mh ballast
1 x 6in vortex
2 x circulating fan

Its not very much equip but i just want to make sure that i will be safe. dont want to end up with a burned down house, ya know what i mean?
Thanks for helpin me out everyone. Peace.

-N.Kron

 

[Guest]

all your gear should have its amperage ratings on it, so add it up and there is your answer.

 

[Guest]

No problem.

I've been running my mother rooms pretty much identical to that for over 10 years.

I've run a few addtional pieces of equip Like a dehu) even without popping a breaker but it's wise to stay 20% under you 15 amps.

 

[blAsia]

just move the figures as needed and you should be able to figure out whatever you need, both now and future.

leave some overhead of at least 10 - 20%... Like Northern Farmer said. I actually just bought some 20 Amp CBs today, to be installed for safety--my peace of mind.

# Convert Watts to Volts:
Voltage = Watts / AMPS
E = P ÷ I

# Convert Watts to AMPS:
AMPS = Watts / Voltage
I = P ÷ E
Example:
2,300 WATTS = 2300w divided by 120v = 19.1 AMPS
(for 3 Phase divide by 1.73)

# Convert AMPS to Watts:
Watts = Voltage x Amps
P = E x I
Example: 19.1 AMPS multiplied by 120v = 2300 Watts
(for 3 phase multiply by 1.73)

 

[timmyocool]

Im guessing the draw would be around 11 amps. Plenty of overhead. Have fun!

 

[Guest]

Use 2 timers, one for each light and set the ON TIMES 10-15 minutes apart to lessen draw/surge on the breaker.

Happy Growing

Peace

 

[Guest]

You're allowed 12A on a 14 wire 15A circuit.blAsia I hope those 20A breakers you bought for safety and peace of mind are tied to #12 wire not 14 gauge wire.

 

[Guest]

By the way, how do you know/identify the circuit as 15 amps? If it is then your extension cord(s) if used should be 14 gauge or lighter. Most outlets are 20amp rated (12awg wire).


Happy Growing and Peace cheer leaders

 

[Merman]

Most outlets are 20amp rated (12awg wire).

Wrong..... Most household outlets in living rooms and bedrooms are 15 amp circuits with 15 amp rated outlets with 14 gauge wire. It would be very unusual to find a 20 amp circuit with 20 amp outlets in most American homes.

Why you ask? One word: money..... 15 amp outlets are $0.88 - $1.50 and 20 amp are $6-8. 12 gauge wire is also more.

Were you DO find 20 amp circuits is in kitchens to run refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, electric cooktops/ovens/microwaves, etc. Also in garages or shops to run things like a table saws, planers, band saws, etc.

Occasionally, one will use a 20 amp circuit and 15 amp outlets. There's no problem with this since it would also be very unsual for just about anything except a dishwasher or clothes dryer to draw more than 15 amps, and clothes dryers are usually run on 30 amps.

Look around the rooms in your house - I'll bet there are no 20 amp outlets in sight. No neg K this time around, but please, for the safety of everyone, do not give anymore electrical advice unless you know what you are talking about.

 

[blAsia]

You're allowed 12A on a 14 wire 15A circuit.blAsia I hope those 20A breakers you bought for safety and peace of mind are tied to #12 wire not 14 gauge wire.

Hey...sup. No, it would have to be 14g. all I have, but I am only going to run about 10 on each one... MAX.

AC/Heater on one
One/Two lights on one

since i have to go to HD tomorrow, might just get 15's. take these back. I was planning on doing more, but found I could get by with less.

 

[Merman]

blasia - I would HIGHLY recommend that you get GFCI [Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor] (U.L. listed) 15 amp outlets on your trip to HD. They cost a little more but increase your safety factor significantly.

The GFCI is designed to protect people from severe or fatal electric shocks. Because a GFCI detects ground faults, it can also prevent some electrical fires and reduce the severity of others by interrupting the flow of electric current.

The National Electrical Code calls for GFCI outlets anywhere electricity and water will be in the same room (kitchen/bathroom) or exposure to water (garages/exterior outlets/unfinished basements), and since most grow areas have LOTS of water associated with them (on the floor, in the pots, hydro, etc) this is the way to go.

If you REALLY want to keep it safe, buy a 15 amp arc fault detector circuit breaker for the grow area instead of a standard breaker.

You should also consider plugging in a surge protector to the outlet and then all your equipement to the surge protector, especially if your lights are digital.

Do it right the first time and you won't regret it!

 

[NorthernKronic]

Hey everyone thanks for all of the info

First off i know its a 15 amp circut because i checked the breaker box and my apartment only has 3 15 amp circuts, or maybe two i cant remember, ill go look again after i finish this reply.

Currently im running a 7ft grounded extension cord to my closet to a power strip where my timer and fans are plugged in. as stated before 400 watt mh, 6" vortex and 2 circulating fans. I have no problems at all right now.

I just wanted to add another light to my setup. Would it be a problem to just plug another timer and 400 watter to the surg protector? I think the amps are fine, but is that ok to run that much off of one outlet??????

I only think my equip draws about 10.5 to 11 amps on startup so that leaves me more than 20% magin of safety, am i correct to think that this will be safe. Im pretty sure that it will be but just dont want to f things up ya know?

Nobody wants a fire definitly not me. Thanks for your input everyone Merman mad props K plus!

-N.Kron

 

[Guest]

Mr Merman, in the USA outlet runs are 20 amp, light runs usually are 15 amp. I hope I know what I have stated is correct------------I have been in the construction business for the past 44 years of which 32 years have been as a licensed General Contractor in California and Oregon involving all structures, commercial and residential. The advise given was correct for this region of the world.

The above speaks of modern electrical systems, residential, ( and in addition it is code legal to run 12awg 20amp lighting circuits.)

You would be correct in part as residential duplex recep's are usually 15 amp RATED. I have here in front of me 3 duplexs, one is 15 amp rated standard and the other is a 20amp rated GFCI, both mfd. by Leviton. with the third being the more expensive 20 amp rated duplex.

 

[Guest]

blAsia don't put 20A breakers on 14 wire even if you only plan on drawing 5A,what you're talking about is the most unsafe practice in electrical,overfusing.Use the correct breaker or underfuse to your hearts content,but never ever overfuse under any circumstances.

 

[blAsia]

Okay... thanks everyone. BTW: the two outlets I am using do have gfci. My box is located about 2 ft from veg and about 5 feet from flower room, so no long runs which is really good. I don't do Hydro, so not too much water around. Outlets are at least 3 ft about floor level also. All connections near ground are wrapped and taped... most go through power surge protectors... In fact I have a 12 outlet switching board made for 2 20amp inputs (6 x 6) that was used for aquariums. I don't have too much running through there... it has its own fuses.

Again, thanks, I will be safe.

NorthernKronic: You gettin all this? Hope it helped you out... good luck.

 

[imnotcrazy]

Merman : Houses in US are Required by code to have INDIVIDUAL 20A circuit dedicated per room (bedrooms). As long as the home is a more recent build you should have 20A circuit/ room. Older homes w/ 15A circuits are grandfathered in and therefore you will find homes w/ 15A circuits but the norm should be 20A.

BTW, by grandfathered in I mean, existing work doesn't get inspected if you were, for example, to have the Service Entrance to the home changed/upgraded. The inspector will only inspect the Service entrance/meter pan and Main panel for compliance with NEC regulations.

 

[blAsia]

I think he's right... looked in my box a minute ago and no 15s only 20s. Got to go to some construction sites and see if i can get some discarded wire 12g I will also check to see if it is 12g they are putting in the houses, when I ran a box, it didn't look or feel like 12g in there..

... built my whole room with plywood and 2x4s FREEEEEE. They said I could take whatever I wanted from the pile.

 

[NorthernKronic]

Hey guys,

I do live in an old home built in the 30's probobly, converted into a duplex around 1970 i believe. I just looked at what i thought was a breaker box, but it turns out that it is a fuse box instead???? All it contains are 2 round 15 amp fuses.

I dont think electrical work has been done on my home in decades, so im a very Leary of running much/ if anymore lighting in my setup...

Does anyone have there power meter located inside their home? My friend is looking at moving into a place that has the power meter inside the house and they just tell the landlord what it says everymonth, he doesnt even come and look himself, or so he says. Could you see an advantage to having the meter inside??

Not quite sure what im gonna do now, that old ass fuse box scares me, im used to new shiny breaker boxs and this one is anything but...

-N.Kron

 

[Guest]

A) You can replace the panel.

B) You can add a sub panel off of the fuse box.

There will be a couple of concerns with this house's electrical.

A) The wiring will be old and questionable.

B) Replacement fuses may be difficult to find.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like an old 30A fuse panel,check to see its being fed by 10 wire and just get a 30A breaker panel.Actually you need a service upgrade to do anything taking power