CFL's on 15 amp circuit, how many ?

[Whitworth]

For ceiling height reasons, I am planning on adding 6 inch Halo recessed cans in the garage. I planned originally for 18 cans which I figure at 1170 watts juice ( 18 times 65 watts). But Compact fluorescents consume 14 watts and put out the equivalent of 65 watts incandescent. That means the same watts I could put in 84 lights !

What rule thumb is good for CFL's ? Does the NEC reflect the change to low wattage lights, or is it strictly how much amperage is on a circuit. It was my understanding a circuit should be taxed no more than about 80 percent of its nominal rating ( 15 amp time 120 bolts equals 1800 watts) 80 percent (1440) of that roughly what I was working from, not exactly, a little more.

Thanks
Gary

 

[Syberia]

As far as I am aware, there is no limit for residential circuits in the US beyond amperage limitations.

 

[ddawg16]

Actually....there is a limit.....

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=136265

Some CFLs say it on the package, some don't.

FEIT brand shows the same count-limit regardless of size. Both the 13W and 26W version warns:

"Never use more than 25 lamps per 20A branch circuit".

These use bulk-storage rectifier front-end and look the same as switching power supply to the line. Measured power factor is 0.55 and I'm guessing THD is between 100 and 130%, pretty typical for bulk storage rectifier front end load.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'm not sure about all breaker manufacturers, but Square D make a special breaker for thsi.

QO-HID and QOB-HID circuit breakers are for use in florescent and high intensity discharge (HID) lighting systems, such as systems using circuit breakers are designed to handle the high inductive loads, harmonic currents and cycling which are inherent in HID lighting systems