Criticize my wiring setup please!

[syncro2]

I've got 4x1000w@10A lights\ballasts ready to go.

I want to go 220v

Theoretical setup:
50A Main Fuse > 16ft (6 gauge?) extension > 4x Parallel 220v outlets

I plan on offsetting their startups by 5-10 minutes through timers to eliminate a power spike.

Do I need a bigger breaker? Is the first ballast to power up going to be overloaded by the available power before the other 3 kick in? For that matter, what about the cheap $10 10A 220v timers I have? Are they ok? Could (or should) I maybe install outlet boxes with in built 10\15A breakers? Is that even possible? Could someone please chime in, maybe with a basic diagram (in a few words)?

syncro2 Reviewed by syncro2 on 09-09-2010. Criticize my wiring setup please! I've got 4x1000w@10A lights\ballasts ready to go. I want to go 220v Theoretical setup: 50A Main Fuse > 16ft (6 gauge?) extension > 4x Parallel 220v outlets I plan on offsetting their startups by 5-10 minutes through timers to eliminate a power spike. Do I need a bigger breaker? Is the first ballast to power up going to be overloaded by the available power before the other 3 kick in? For that matter, what about the cheap $10 10A 220v timers I have? Are they ok? Could (or should) Rating: 5

[WashougalWonder]

First of all, I am not sure of your demand to use 220. Think of 220 as having double the juice, because you have two "hot legs", in other words, each leg carries 110v. Theoretically, (and I am no electrician) One 110v, 15 amp breaker for each power supply will do the job, and for overkill you can use 12 ga. wire.....or minimum 50 amp 220v, I would think for only 16 feet 10, maybe 8 ga.

Another thought would be, 'gee I want to save space in the breaker box.' Then, you can use one 60 amp 220v breaker, bring the 8 ga. to a sub panel, break it to 110v and put 15 amp breakers in the sub panel and feed your four power supplies either hard wired, or (preferably) with 15amp rated plugs. The 8 ga. needs to be the type with 3 conductors plus ground to be safest and in 'code'.

There are many ways to do this, but safety and redunancy is important. If you do not know what you are doing get someone who does, because high amperage will start a fire or kill if you screw up.

[TheChameleon]

First of all, I am not sure of your demand to use 220. Think of 220 as having double the juice, because you have two "hot legs", in other words, each leg carries 110v. Theoretically, (and I am no electrician) One 110v, 15 amp breaker for each power supply will do the job, and for overkill you can use 12 ga. wire.....or minimum 50 amp 220v, I would think for only 16 feet 10, maybe 8 ga.

Another thought would be, 'gee I want to save space in the breaker box.' Then, you can use one 60 amp 220v breaker, bring the 8 ga. to a sub panel, break it to 110v and put 15 amp breakers in the sub panel and feed your four power supplies either hard wired, or (preferably) with 15amp rated plugs. The 8 ga. needs to be the type with 3 conductors plus ground to be safest and in 'code'.

There are many ways to do this, but safety and redunancy is important. If you do not know what you are doing get someone who does, because high amperage will start a fire or kill if you screw up.

don't under size wire for the sake of frugality!!! 50amps 6guage is right...

50 amp breaker main to a sub panel with 4 15 amp breakers with 14/3 to each outlet... check the actual startup amps on the lights...