I have a HydroFarm 1000 watt, switchable HPS/MH 9.8 amp ballast. The ballast has been used for about a year. Right now its on a 18/6 schedule. The plug gets hot, before i ask the question here is some more info.

The power supply for the light is a dedicated 10 gauge cable from the breaker box with a 30 amp breaker at the box. I also got 20 amp outlets. I intended to run two 1000 watt ballasts on this line but right now I am only running one.

I noticed the plug gets a little more than warm. When I grabed the plug its not super hot but a lot more than warm. I was using a heavy duty 20 amp timer that had a 6 foot long plug. The plug for the timer was even hotter than the ballasts plug that's plugged into that timer. Also the first foot from each plug also was getting more than warm.

I went out and bought a hydrofarm 15 amp timer and plugged into the 10 gauge 30 amp breaker line. So I am no longer using a timer that has its own cord. Its the only thing plugged in.

The plug for the 1k ballast is still warm, not as hot as it used to be but just warm. Is that normal for a 1K a ballast?

If so would switching to 240 reduce the plug warmth? I know it would save a tiny bit of electricity. I can easily switch two 240 but one of my ballast is not 240 switchable so i ran the line at 110, but id get another ballast.


Thank you for your info, I really just want to know if, its normal for a 1k ballast plug to get warm under my conditions?
CrackLemonade Reviewed by CrackLemonade on . 1k HPS ballast plug getting warm, is it normal? I have a HydroFarm 1000 watt, switchable HPS/MH 9.8 amp ballast. The ballast has been used for about a year. Right now its on a 18/6 schedule. The plug gets hot, before i ask the question here is some more info. The power supply for the light is a dedicated 10 gauge cable from the breaker box with a 30 amp breaker at the box. I also got 20 amp outlets. I intended to run two 1000 watt ballasts on this line but right now I am only running one. I noticed the plug gets a little more than Rating: 5