I want to run (9) 8' T5HO fixtures (216w each). Will my 14awg, 15-amp circuit handle this load? I asked the electrician to run all 20 amp circuits in my shop, and discovered today that I have one, 15-amp circuit dedicated to my light circuit.
Help from a Sparky please!
- Thread starter psjoyal
- Start date
sberry
Banned
Run another one and split the load as well as switching.
awdblazer
Well-known member
what is the ballast current rating? you dont go off the light bulb wattage but the ballast current
justsam
Well-known member
Lights are a continuous duty load so I would not exceed 80% of the circuit rating. 12 Amps, for 15 circuit and 16 Amps for 20.
For you the easy solution would be to have the electrician deliver what he was instructed to deliver as opposed to providing a typical 15 Amp lighting circuit.
Failing that you might consider using LED bulbs to reduce current draw, especially since you are near limit even with 20 Amps.
For you the easy solution would be to have the electrician deliver what he was instructed to deliver as opposed to providing a typical 15 Amp lighting circuit.
Failing that you might consider using LED bulbs to reduce current draw, especially since you are near limit even with 20 Amps.
Last edited:
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Shiftless
Well-known member
Wow, you're gonna have lots of light! How big is your garage?
Each of those fixtures must be rated at what...20,000 lumens maybe more.
Defiantely split the load. You could save the existing run of 14 ga. wire if you had it serve only one third of your lights. Wire up 2 more feeds from your panel and keep using 14 ga. if you want to.
But if the electrician was paid to put in adequate wiring and he didn't, then it's up to him to fix it and make it right. You do have a contract, right
Each of those fixtures must be rated at what...20,000 lumens maybe more.
Defiantely split the load. You could save the existing run of 14 ga. wire if you had it serve only one third of your lights. Wire up 2 more feeds from your panel and keep using 14 ga. if you want to.
But if the electrician was paid to put in adequate wiring and he didn't, then it's up to him to fix it and make it right. You do have a contract, right
matt_i
Well-known member
Hopefully its a big shop. ~2kW of light is going to be blinding in a small shop not to mention quite the draw on your electric meter.
laser3kw
Well-known member
I have about that much in a 30 x 30 x 10 area. It's nice, not blinding.
Divide the lights to two circuits.
15 amp & 14 ga is correct.
Easy enough to fix, run another line from a breaker (15 amp) and break the switches into two circuits.
Divide the lights to two circuits.
15 amp & 14 ga is correct.
Easy enough to fix, run another line from a breaker (15 amp) and break the switches into two circuits.
Last edited:
Thank you all. Just got off the phone with Lithonia regarding the ballast current...it is 2.1 amps per fixture. These are the 4-bulb, 8' T5HO fixtures available through Home Depot.
Man, I'm not happy about the wiring. Really ticks me off. I installed a 42 space, 200 amp panel, and he pulls only one 14-2 for ceiling lighting. Insulation and drywall are done.
What about running them 240v? The fixtures have a multi-volt ballast.
Those who were curious about shop size: 40x30 with 14' ceilings
Man, I'm not happy about the wiring. Really ticks me off. I installed a 42 space, 200 amp panel, and he pulls only one 14-2 for ceiling lighting. Insulation and drywall are done.
What about running them 240v? The fixtures have a multi-volt ballast.
Those who were curious about shop size: 40x30 with 14' ceilings
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Is this shop on a residential property?
laser3kw
Well-known member
How far are the switches from the load center? Could you disconnect the existing 14 gauge feed wire going to the switches and use it to pull two 14 gauge feeds through? you would have to add a 15 amp breaker to the load center and break the jumper (pig tail?) in the switch box to separate the lights into two circuits.
awdblazer
Well-known member
being 2.1 amps per ballast it needs to be on two circuits, even if it was a 20 amp circuit
justsam
Well-known member
Difficult to imagine a "professional electrian seeing that size of shop, and three light switches that he felt one 15 Amp circuit.
I suspect you will not be happy without putting in two, more runs of 14. Sounds like you have breaker space. Perhaps the electrician can share in cost if drywall work is required to add circuits, but a good electrician can fish walls.
I suspect you will not be happy without putting in two, more runs of 14. Sounds like you have breaker space. Perhaps the electrician can share in cost if drywall work is required to add circuits, but a good electrician can fish walls.
aircommuter
Well-known member
I did like the other person said I have mine on 240v, and split into two groups so if I do not need them all at once I have the option. In my auto shop I split them in to three areas, in that part I used 22 400w HID.
justsam
Well-known member
In the first case, is this attached to a dwelling, or has a dwelling function in it? If so you may want to review nec 210.6, as potential greater than 120vac is not permitted at the light fixture.