Amp question for you electric pros???

[CanGroIt]

So I came across a power cost chart and it mentioned that you shouldn't draw more than 75% of the rated amps of the circuit. So here is my question- my grow space has a 16 amp circuit. I have 130w of cfl which draws about 1.5 amps. A blower that draws 1.2 amps at full power. And a 1k HPS lamp that draws 9 amps. A couple smaller fans that probably draw another amp. So that's about 12-13 amps that I will be drawn.

Is drawing 13 amps from a 16 amp circuit too risky? Anyone know an electrician they can ask? Thanks ahead.....

CanGroIt Reviewed by CanGroIt on 02-17-2011. Amp question for you electric pros??? So I came across a power cost chart and it mentioned that you shouldn't draw more than 75% of the rated amps of the circuit. So here is my question- my grow space has a 16 amp circuit. I have 130w of cfl which draws about 1.5 amps. A blower that draws 1.2 amps at full power. And a 1k HPS lamp that draws 9 amps. A couple smaller fans that probably draw another amp. So that's about 12-13 amps that I will be drawn. Is drawing 13 amps from a 16 amp circuit too risky? Anyone know an Rating: 5

[canniwhatsis]

Depends on the wires in the house.


Odds are your fine with 13a thru a 16a breaker,... but for safety's sake make SURE the wiring in the house can actually pull the 16a that the breaker will allow. (which means if you really question it, have an electrician come out and test the circuit)

[Dexter007]

im no electrician but it depends of wires as well...
example...
5-6years ago my grannys houe we got electrician to wire up a new cooker and when everithing was done and he turn the cooker on HE BLOWED THE FUSEBOX...becose house was old and they were aluminium wires...they are the most useless things ever...so end of the they we had to spend prob round 5000e to get full house re wired.just to be in the safe side...

best things for you would go some electricians or DIY forums...
good luck with your grow:thumbsup:

[GoFish104]

I work on the other side of the meter so I'm certainly not a pro on house wiring but I have never heard of a 16A breaker. If I'm wrong (1st time today lol) no offence meant but please check that rating again. Peace Jack

[Dexter007]

I work on the other side of the meter so I'm certainly not a pro on house wiring but I have never heard of a 16A breaker. If I'm wrong (1st time today lol) no offence meant but please check that rating again. Peace Jack

we def have 16amp here in irl and back in estonia..+ we are selling 16amp b in shop where i work :jointsmile:

[TANKJR]

This is easy to calculate, but I won't do it for you....there are formulas for calculating load on circuits in watts or amps precisely, (look up Ohm's Law) and you should be precise...there is no mention of voltage here and any calculation involving power should...Is Ireland 120V or 220V? because that can either double or cut in half the amperage ya'll are talking about....here's a good way to tell if your getting close to the limits of a circuit, regardless of voltage, but be careful doing this and don't get shocked, and you don't need an amp-probe or meter....fire everything up on that particular circuit so it's drawing max amps, wait a few minutes, and go feel the breaker...if it's hot, your over amping it or drawing more than the 75% (which is just a guideline btw) I have seen circuits drawing 105% of rating and not blow the breaker...If the breaker is cool or just warm, your probably ok...this is assuming you have relatively new copper conductors and tight connections everywhere else in the circuit, Yes, aluminum wiring is crap!...A circuit can fail under very light loads if there is a loose connection ANYWHERE in that circuit...plugs, recepticles, loose wire nuts, etc. Loose connections are generally the number 1 cause of circuit failures...loose connection causes heat from resistance, drawing more amperage, compounding the problem until something overheats and burns from too much heat. Heat is the enemy cuz heat = resistance and resistance = more electric being used...anytime you feel anything too hot in an electrical circuit be it cord, plug, breaker, whatever, it can indicate a potential problem (read FIRE HAZARD!) Now I'm no electrician, but my two best bros are both masters and they tell me if a breaker blows 3 times, replace it...If your pushing the limits of a circuit, look for hot stuff...I've seen extension cords cause lot's of problems because nobody accounts for voltage drop over any distance in a circuit...so, if your running 2 or 300 feet of extension cord on a 120v circuit...by the time it gets to the end of the line there may only be 80-85 volts available, depending on wire size...the bigger the wire, the less line loss...lower voltage means higher amperage, so 10 amps on a 15 amp circuit w/breaker over a long distance will kick the breaker. Here's something else to consider...it is very rare for an appliance or any kind of load to draw the entire amount it's rated for...in other words, if a light or toaster says it draws 2.5 amps, it may actually only be drawing 2.1 and the only way to ck that is with a clamp on amp meter. Make friends with an electrician...I know my two bros party, so there are plenty who do...

I hate talking about electricity when I'm real high...I may just be confusing ya'll...I'm just trying to put things in terms anybody can understand...I hope I'm helping. Bottom line on electricity is: If your not sure enough to risk your life on it, have an electrician ck it out.

[CanGroIt]

You guys are Awesome!!! Thanks for the replies! I'm surprised none of you said to replace the circuit breaker.

GoFish104 - I never heard of a 16 amp circuit breaker either but that's what this little sucker says.

So I spoke with my pops this morning (who has been in construction longer than I've been alive ) and he said I should replace or add a circuit breaker rated to handle more amps. Luckily the circuit breaker panel has one slot left for an addition. Even luckier on top of that is that the circuit I am using is located right next to the available slot.

So this is what will be done - Once I have the new circuit breaker rated for 20 amps I will switch off the service breaker, then remove the 16 amp circuit breaker and remove the wires from the back. Once wires are removed they will be tied into the new breaker and then placed into the last slot. This should now allow me to run my growroom without any elec probs.

Thanks y'all!!!!!!

[GoFish104]

If I understand you plan on using a larger breaker on the original wires. NO NO NO The breaker is to protect the wires & must be no larger then the rating of the wire. If I misunderstand "Opps sorry". If you can determine the size & type, copper or Alum. of the wires you can decide if you can use a larger breaker but the odds of the wire being larger then needed are pretty small. Peace Jack

[TANKJR]

Go Fish is right....DON'T DO THAT! That is a guaranteed fire hazard!!! The wire size dictates the breaker size and the wire that is rated for 16 amps will not handle the additional amperage without serious overheating problems....you will HAVE to pull larger wire capable of handling the 20amp breaker and the 16 will not work safely!!! There is NO SHORTCUT! If you feel you need a 20 amp circuit you will have to run new wire capable of safely handling 20 amps over the distance from the breaker panel to the closet, 20 amps rated recepticles and the 20 breaker....you cannot upgrade a portion of a circuit, you must upgrade the ENTIRE circuit. Now having said that, if you have an empty slot in the breaker panel, it's not that hard to add an additional circuit, be it 15, 16, or 20 amps and start splitting the load of your grow between 2 circuits! You make friends with an electrician yet????

[CanGroIt]

Thank you GoFish104 and TANKJR for your replies, you two got me thinking.

I can't really run a new line without cutting into the walls. Since I rent this place I am limited. So what I decided was to draw the 2-3 amps for my veg cab from another nearby outlet on a different circuit than the 16a line. This way I can use the 16a circuit line for just the 1k light and be fine.

Do you think I'll be fine running the 1k on a 16a line? Should right?

My only other option would be to try to trade with someone, my 1k for a 600w. But I'd rather not......