lighting circuit wiring size ?

[misterfixit]

Just making sure I am figuring this correctly;

I will be installing LED ready strip fixtures in my shop. In trying to figure the load, since there is on ballast I'm using the 18.5Watt/bulb and fudging it to 40Watts per fixture (2 bulbs each). With 16 fixtures figuring 40Watts per, I get 640 watts total. On a 120V circuit that gives me under 6 amps total.

Just wanting to make sure this is correct and I haven't missed anything. I'm planning on 14/2 for the circuit on a 15amp breaker.

Any issues? Anything I missed?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

since its a continuous load, you need to factor in 125%. so load would be closer to 7a.

 

[13mo]

Just making sure I am figuring this correctly;

I will be installing LED ready strip fixtures in my shop. In trying to figure the load, since there is on ballast I'm using the 18.5Watt/bulb and fudging it to 40Watts per fixture (2 bulbs each). With 16 fixtures figuring 40Watts per, I get 640 watts total. On a 120V circuit that gives me under 6 amps total.

Just wanting to make sure this is correct and I haven't missed anything. I'm planning on 14/2 for the circuit on a 15amp breaker.

Any issues? Anything I missed?

The power draw of LED ready fixtures (the ones with nothing inside them except wires to the tombstones) depends entirely on what LED bulbs are installed. If they are 18.5 watt bulbs, then you get 37 watts per fixture, so 592 watts, which is just a fuzz under five amps.

Regardless, you are well under the 12 amps/1440 watts allowable for a continuous load on a 15 amp, 120 volt circuit and it will work just fine.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, with the load you say you have; you will be fine with 14 Gauge.

 

[ace10]

Consider splitting them up onto two switches and/or running dimmable fixtures.

Having on the option of full bright or full dark isn't awesome in all circumstance.


$0.02

 

[misterfixit]

Consider splitting them up onto two switches and/or running dimmable fixtures.

Having on the option of full bright or full dark isn't awesome in all circumstance.


$0.02

Actually, that is all the lights, but they will be in 4 independent areas or 3 'room's and one open area. If all of them are on it will be 16 fixtures with dual bulbs. I am pretty sure one circuit on one 15amp breaker with 4 switches behind it is no issue code wise.