Add on ceiling outlet ...

[Ispeed]

Quick question on the feasibility of adding on a a couple of outlets in the ceiling for two air filters that I’m going to run in my basement workshop (most for airborn sawdust control). Right now it I have two rows of flourescent shop lights running on each side of the shop. I have LED tubes installed in the fixtures. Since there is already electric up there, can I (either do it myself or hire electician) to install an outlet on each row to control these filters? While not ideal, I don’t mind they would be switch controlled at the same time as the lights. I just thought it would be easier to wire them this way since I have a finished ceiling.

These are the units ... http://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-Hanging-Air-Filter-3-Speed/G0738

 

[Git]

I am not an electrician, but it sounds feasible

Assuming the circuit is 15 amps? Normally a 1/8hp motor would pull around 4 amps. I see Grizzly indicates 1 amp, which sounds a little low. The LED lights would be almost negligible, but you need to add everything up to see where you are.

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/elctrical-motor-full-load-current-d_1499.html

Something to think about - I have a Jet Air cleaner. It has a 1/5 hp motor and is rated for 1,000 CFM. (The Grizzly is 400 CFM max) It's almost the same price as two of the Grizzly's - unless you want two units for a reason. And it looks like Grizzly is currently out of stock

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004R9LO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JimNC]

I believe that code limits the number of outlets and fixtures that you can have on a single circuit, regardless of draw. You might want to check that, but otherwise it’s an easy project.

 

[Farleyfan]

I may be wrong but don't they use 16 ga. wire for lights and 14 ga. for outlets ?
But like said above, led lights wont draw much power.

 

[Ispeed]

I am not an electrician, but it sounds feasible

Assuming the circuit is 15 amps? Normally a 1/8hp motor would pull around 4 amps. I see Grizzly indicates 1 amp, which sounds a little low. The LED lights would be almost negligible, but you need to add everything up to see where you are.

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/elctrical-motor-full-load-current-d_1499.html

Something to think about - I have a Jet Air cleaner. It has a 1/5 hp motor and is rated for 1,000 CFM. (The Grizzly is 400 CFM max) It's almost the same price as two of the Grizzly's - unless you want two units for a reason. And it looks like Grizzly is currently out of stock

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004R9LO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks. I bought the 2 air cleaners back in the summer in prep for this remodel I’m starting now, so I already have them. The reason I went with two is that my workshop is in the basement, so I have a bulkhead running almost down the center of the room. While luckily I have 10’ ceilings, the bulkhead with all the hvac, etc, comes down almost 2 feet. I thought about just getting one large cleaner and hanging it off the bulkhead in the center of the room, but didn’t like how low it would be, so decided to get 2, hang the on either side of bulkhead and could get better airflow.

Hadn’t thought about codes, so I may just call an electrician. I “need” a generator transfer in case of emergency, so might make it worth the price to just have him take care of both.

 

[Zeke]

I believe that code limits the number of outlets and fixtures that you can have on a single circuit, regardless of draw. You might want to check that, but otherwise it’s an easy project.

No limit on the number of devices on a given circuit but load calcs will limit them to 80% of the breaker rating.

I may be wrong but don't they use 16 ga. wire for lights and 14 ga. for outlets ?
But like said above, led lights wont draw much power.

16 ga is used within some fixtures but 14 ga is much more common in house wiring and protected by a 15 amp breaker. You don't see 10 amp breakers being used often (I have never seen one in house wiring) but they are available and protect 16 ga wire. You might see a low voltage transformer on a circuit like that.

 

[Ispeed]

No limit on the number of devices on a given circuit but load calcs will limit them to 80% of the breaker rating.

16 ga is used within some fixtures but 14 ga is much more common in house wiring and protected by a 15 amp breaker. You don't see 10 amp breakers being used often (I have never seen one in house wiring) but they are available and protect 16 ga wire. You might see a low voltage transformer on a circuit like that.

Thanks. I went and double checked that the panel does have a 15 amp breaker for the lights (20 amp for the plugs). I think it would be close to spec if the filters are 4 amps a piece, and lets just say 1/2 amp a piece for the light fixtures (two 4’ LED bulbs in each fixture). I may be wrong in my assumptions ...

 

[Git]

Since you already have the air cleaners, for $15, you can buy one of these Kill A Watt meters that will tell you exactly how many amps they are pulling. You plug the meter into an outlet and then the air cleaner and/or your lights into the meter. Note the readings and add them up (you can also do it with a voltmeter, but this is pretty easy to do this way and the Kill A Watt does come in handy at times)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009MDBU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Zeke]

Since you already have the air cleaners, for $15, you can buy one of these Kill A Watt meters that will tell you exactly how many amps they are pulling. You plug the meter into an outlet and then the air cleaner and/or your lights into the meter. Note the readings and add them up (you can also do it with a voltmeter, but this is pretty easy to do this way and the Kill A Watt does come in handy at times)

Nice little toy. I might have to pick one of those up. But wouldn't a clamp on meter (I have that) do the same?

 

[dscheidt]

Nice little toy. I might have to pick one of those up. But wouldn't a clamp on meter (I have that) do the same?

yes. the kill a watt will show you use over time, though, so you can see how much power it takes to run your fridge for a week, and things like that.