fluorescent lighting how many 15 amp circuit

[nyjets53]

fluorescent lighting

how many on one 15 amp circuit?

Using t8's

 

[Synergy]

watts/volts = amps
(6) 32w T8 = 192 watts
192 watts/120 volts = 1.6 Amps

In my garage I am building I have 5, 4' T8 4 bulb troffers with outlets for track lighting on one 20 A circuit.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

watts/volts = amps
(6) 32w T8 = 192 watts
192 watts/120 volts = 1.6 Amps

In my garage I am building I have 5, 4' T8 4 bulb troffers with outlets for track lighting on one 20 A circuit.

Due to the fact that fluorescent lighting is induction, the draw is somewhat more than the above calculations would lead you to believe, but not by much. Best to use the amp draw on the data plate of the fixture.

Lighting is considered a continuous load and as such, the code restricts lighting loads to a max of 80% of circuit capacity. Thus a 20 amp circuit should not be loaded over 16 amps, and a 15 amp circuit should not be loaded over 12 amps.

Charles

 

[brad d]

I think code here is you can only have 12 fixtures per circuit..

 

[Synergy]

I think code here is you can only have 12 fixtures per circuit..

Charles you are the electrician guru. My understanding is a fluorescent "fixture" can be anywhere from 1-4 bulbs 4'-8'. Thus effecting the watts. As example my 5 troffers with 20 32w T8s draw 5.3 amps. Incandescent/halogen/High pressure sodium, etc... has more draw.

(12) 500W halogen fixtures would draw 50 amps

 

[Charles (in GA)]

We do have some real electricians here on the board, I've never even played one on TV! I just read the code, study it, and get corrected sometimes by the real electricians here, who usually cannot agree with each other. Code isn't perfect, thats for sure. Lots of things I disagree with in it (the new arc fault breakers being one example).

Special, local rules, get real strange at times, generally due to the lack of understanding of the codes by the people who enforce them.

Charles

Charles