Quote Originally Posted by killerweed420
Start by looking in your breaker box and see what size breakers you have. Usually 25 or 35 amp. Each 1000w light will draw less than 10 amps. Digital ballasts will draw less at start up, while magnetic ballasts will surge during start up so I would use digitals if you can afford them. At 10 amps each you can safely put 2 1000w ballasts one each plug in IF everything is in good shape. So trace out which circuits are on separate circuits and wire accordingly. Then you also have to figure in all your other extras like fans or pumps or whatever else you're going to use.
A good way to test if you're drawing too much power on a circuit is to check for heat buildup on the wires. If they warm at all thats not good.
Although they do make 25 and 35 amp breakers...the chances of anyone here having one in their Electric panel is doubtful. Most will have 20 amp and 30 amp breakers. If using Digital ballasts be carefull of Infinity (Comcast) as they seem to know when digital ballasts are in use because of interference. A friend had them knocking on the door at 9PM one night wanting to check his house for interference. Scared the hell out of him. The problem seems mostly with 600 watt units but may affect all. If any wires in your Electric box get warm that is not a good thing. watts / volts will give amperage....1000 watts at 120 volts is about 8.333 amps so you can put 2 light on a circuit if nothing else is on it and you DO NOT have a Zinsco or FPE Electric panel. If you do have either of those panels you should have it changed or be very very careful and run everything lite.
hiamps Reviewed by hiamps on . multiple lights how would you go about running 4 1000watters in a room without blowing fuses? any tips/info would be greatly appreciated Rating: 5