Lighting options

[truckman5000]

Hi guys, im redoing my garage. And looking for lights. Only 22x22 space. But ceiling is 14 feet.
I was going to get some regular florescent fixtures, then i got all caught up in t-8 t-5 bulbs and ext. From this site.

My biggest question is.
I see some lights made for 120v-240v. So if i get 240v lights do they cost less to run? Is the amp draw on them alot. Say if under spec. tie into my air compressor circuit?

Or my original idea was to replace the bulb lighting with t-5 florescent. Or LED. to save cost of running..

 

[rugbyhick]

You won't have any issue's with T8 fixtures as far as power consumption, although they say the T5's are more efficient, I would guess that if you compared initial cost compared to cost's of operating, the T8's would be cheaper for you. 14' ceilings are of concern though, you want to make sure you get a fixture with reflective backing.

 

[rugbyhick]

Stay away from 240V lights.....not worth the hassle

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Most new T5HO ballast will accept anything from 120v up to 240v. Many other ballasts will accept up to 277v.

Is this attached...... or detached...... from the residence?

If it is attached, code will not allow for lighting greater than 130v (nominal 120v system).

In a building your size, it makes no sense to go 240v for the lighting, just takes up more breaker spaces and doesn't accomplish anything. You would (or at least should) use double pole switches also, which cost more. Since the lighting on 240v does not have a grounded conductor (neutral) you should interrupt both hots going to the lights.

Charles

 

[Delta74]

to expand on the other replies, forget the 240, and the 277 volt is more of an industrial voltage its almost never seen where I am, but still common in the US, its 1 hot side of a 480 Volt 3 phase system here it is 347 / 600 volt.

as for the less power on 240? nope still the same, if you double the voltage you half the amps required. remember volts times amps = Watts , and you pay by Kilowatts on the bill.

where it can be handy to up the voltage would be a power hungry milling machine or saw ( typically motors and sometimes lights ) where dropping the amps down will let you run smaller wires, and often run a bit cooler from the reduced amp draw. and for lights allow you to put more lights per circuit where the Single line voltage is more cost effective, but again for the Idea of 240 for yours, forget it, the hassles and costs of switches alone makes it a forget about it deal. stick with 120 volt lighting for the garage.

 

[truckman5000]

Thanks guys. I'll put some regular 120v lights in.

I was only thinking 240v because i know higher volts= less amps=less power consumption. But lights probably dont draw much for amps.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Thanks guys. I'll put some regular 120v lights in.

I was only thinking 240v because i know higher volts= less amps=less power consumption. But lights probably dont draw much for amps.

The fixtures will draw the same power, no matter the voltage (provided they are designed for either voltage) Volts x amps = watts. When you double the voltage on a given load, the amps halve, and the watts stay the same. Its the watts that represent the power you consume. Its just with the higher voltage, you can run thinner wire. In industrial settings, light fixtures may be 480 volt because the fixtures are possibly hundreds of feet from the panel supplying them, and at lower voltages, the wire would be too heavy and costly.

Charles