I'm new here, another t8 wiring question

[Scottisme]

I'm not too knowledgeable about residential wiring, but have a couple friends that can help me out. I'm still absorbing as much as I can since I'm a fairly young guy but do like doing as much as I can myself. After doing some research I still ended up getting some cheaper t8 fixtures, mainly because through the power company here the fixtures were eligible for a $20 rebate each that completely covers the fixture cost. (If your on Pacific Power in WA, ID, CA its worth looking into, rebates on all sorts of stuff http://www.pacificpower.net/hes)

Anyways, now that i have these fixtures I have to figure out how to wire them. I have 4 of these:
http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-F...Id=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#BVRRWidgetID

I would like to wire these all to a single switch and then to a circuit. However most of the previous threads I've read deal with hard wiring lights that are setup as such, and these are pre wired with plugs. Where do I begin?

 

[pattenp]

Add a single switched circuit with 4 outlet boxes mounted on the ceiling and plug them in. You're not giving a lot of info about where you want to install them to be able to give you any how to start detail.

 

[Scottisme]

What kind of info do you need to know? I'll do my best to fill in the blanks.

 

[pattenp]

Need to know existing circuit availability. Do you want/need to add a new circuit from the main breaker panel or do you want to use an existing light circuit? What's the area that the lights will be installed in, unfinished garage?

 

[Scottisme]

The lights will be used in a 20x40 area in a shop, hung from the ceiling and about 12 feet from the floor. There is an older 60 amp box, and I think I will be using the existing light circuit; currently there is a single large incandescent light above a workbench. I know that the amount of lighting is a little light for the area I'm trying to fill compared to some of the setups I've seen here, but right now anything is an upgrade and just need some decent lighting. It is an unfinished shop.

 

[pattenp]

Are you saying there is only the one single light for the whole 20 x 40 area? Is that light on a circuit all by it self? Also, is it a 15A circuit? Is there a wall switch for turning that one light on and off?

 

[Scottisme]

Yes, one single light, don't ask me why I didn't set it up that way It is on a switch but am not sure if it's on it's own circuit. I think it's a 30A circuit but I'll have to go out and check. Yes there is a wall switch. It has been suggested to me that I hardwire them from the ballasts into two J boxes with 12 GA wire. Its starting to look like I'm a bit over my head and will be doing this with help, but I still like to understand my options.

 

[pattenp]

I hope it's not a 30A circuit, if it is then it should have #10 wire which is not what you want a light circuit on. If it's on a 15A breaker then use #14 wire. If it's a 20A breaker then use #12 wire. Those lights are not made to be hardwired. Normally you would install outlets on the ceiling and plug the fixtures in. You may be able to come off the existing switch and run wire to outlet boxes on the ceiling. It's near impossible to tell you what to do without being there to see what you have to deal with.

 

[pattenp]

It could also be a situation where you should add a new 15A circuit from your panel for the lights.

 

[Scottisme]

I hope it's not a 30A circuit, if it is then it should have #10 wire which is not what you want a light circuit on. If it's on a 15A breaker then use #14 wire. If it's a 20A breaker then use #12 wire. Those lights are not made to be hardwired. Normally you would install outlets on the ceiling and plug the fixtures in. You may be able to come off the existing switch and run wire to outlet boxes on the ceiling. It's near impossible to tell you what to do without being there to see what you have to deal with.

I was wrong, it has 20A fuses with 10 gauge wire according to my friend. Another interesting thing going on is when you spool up the bench grinder, the single light get's really bright until the grinder is up to speed. It was suggested that I upgrade to a new breaker box from the old screw in fuse box and that would help simplify everything and allow for more circuits.

 

[pattenp]

I highly suggest you upgrade to a breaker box. You also need to look at the feed wire size to current fuse box to make sure it's up to snuff before putting in a new breaker sub-panel.

 

[Scottisme]

Alright thanks. Called up the electrician and will hopefully get this sorted out.