I'm renovating my detached garage and planning to put 4 lamp holders like this in the ceiling so I can add lights like this if needed for extra light beyond the shop lights I'm putting in. I also like the idea of these lamp holders having outlets so I could plug in power tools or whatever as needed. So I'm thinking it would be great if they had 20A outlets. But I can only find models with 15A outlets. Anyone ever come across 20A lamp outlet on lamp holders?
Such a thing as a 20A lamp holder?
- Thread starter mullivan
- Start date
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
How much 20a stuff do you have any how much of it do you need to plug into your lighting circuit?
Most shops have nothing with a 20a plug at all. At most one thing, a 120v welder
Most shops have nothing with a 20a plug at all. At most one thing, a 120v welder
I don't have anything that specifically requires 20A at the moment. The table saw I suppose draws the most power, but even that is 15A. I suppose it's just my ignorance on these matters, assuming a 20A outlet will be better than 15A.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Can't say without knowing what saw you have, but if it has a 15a plug, it will work on a 15a circuit.
Do you really want to plug stuff into your ceiling?
I'm thinking when I roll my table saw into the middle of the space it might be better to plug into the ceiling than have the cord running along the floor. But I'm probably over thinking it. And I get what you are saying about 15A being fine. Thanks for the guidance.
The circuit is probably 15 amps anyway, and even if it is 20amp it will already have the lighting load on it, regardless of the rating of the lamp holder you will be limited by the circuit breaker. The only thing I see a 15 amp outlet restricting you is the plug configuration and you can get an adapter for less than $10.
It's all new wiring going in so the circuit can be whatever I want. It sounds like from everything here 15A will be just fine so will go with that, and lamp holders with 15A outlets are easy to find. Thanks!
If its new you could put in ceiling outlets and get corded lights, or add cords.
It is really a poor idea to run power tools off the same circuit as the lights!
Run one breaker for lights and one or two more just for power tools. If you want and outlet in the ceiling, then wire one up, but run it separate from the lights.
Run one breaker for lights and one or two more just for power tools. If you want and outlet in the ceiling, then wire one up, but run it separate from the lights.
RPH
Well-known member
Yup, going dark with spinning steel blades with hands around it is a bad as it can get without injury. Even better to split light circuits with separate circuits. If one goes dark at least the other half are on. Run the machine outlets as needed.
yatg
Well-known member
Not really. The cord will end up being in the way more than it won't. You'll still have to use an extension code because table saws typically don't have 8 or 10 foot cords.
OP, you're getting alot of good responses from the guys. I'll add my 2c....
those lights that you want to add are an abomination as far as lighting goes. They're super glarey, create a ton of shadows and just generally ****.
You'd be much better served to put some linear lights up there and get better results.
Good luck,
CD
those lights that you want to add are an abomination as far as lighting goes. They're super glarey, create a ton of shadows and just generally ****.
You'd be much better served to put some linear lights up there and get better results.
Good luck,
CD
BillK
Well-known member
When I built my 24 x 24 detached garage I put two outlets in the ceiling on their own breaker. I ended up hanging a reel type drop light right next to one of them and that gets used a lot. The other one rarely gets used.
FredWanaker
Well-known member
I have those holders in the attic only the style set up to hold cages to protect the bulbs. In the end I ran them out of a box with a receptacle and plate on it next to them. Wait until you need to plug two things in.
Terry D
Well-known member
Im with Bill on this, get a nice cord reel for the ceiling. Then put a lot of receptacles in the walls. Dont even bother with receptacles on the lamp holders. 20 amp receptacles are useless, unless you have a piece of equipment with a 20 amp plug. The insides of a 15 and 20 amp receptacle are the same. Your not going to like those screw in lights that you posted, just add more good quality LED stip lights. And remember, all your receptacles have to be GFCI protected. And if your area is in the 2020 NEC, even the 240 volt ones also.
Like others said it's not a good idea to run power tools off the same circuit as lighting. If you really want outlets at the ceiling put in normal ones.
When it comes to using machines like table saws you'll probably find a cord hanging from the ceiling only gets in the way anyway.
When it comes to using machines like table saws you'll probably find a cord hanging from the ceiling only gets in the way anyway.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
His profile doesn't say where he's located, but if he's in Iowa, the 240 volt receptacles don't have to be GFCI protected. The eboard excluded that when they adopted the 2020. It was a helluva fight with the manufacturers that went to the legislature, with the manufacturers winning the battle, but since they can't supply the breakers, the eboard won the war.
OP: I third the cord reel, but make sure you get a good one. It's a pain in the **** having to help a cheap reel roll the cord up inside of it. I have three Flexzilla's, (two 50' and one 25') and so far they are fantastic.
Terry D
Well-known member
I guess that makes up for all that crazy **** you guys have to do on a service change. Lol
rburke65
Well-known member
Those lamp holders are rated in wattage I believe. The LED lamps pictured won’t pull 20 amps.
If my memory serves me correctly, a medium base lampholder is rated 660 watts, 250 volts.
rlitman
Well-known member
That's typical of the ceramic and thermoset (phenolic) edison base lampholders I'm familiar with, but isn't a hard and fast rule. The actual edison base is IIRC good to up to at least 30A, since it was initially a fuse holder too. The wattage limitation is based strictly on the thermal effects of a bulb plugged in heating the wire insulation behind it, and not the current carrying capability of the socket. Of course, don't take this as an endorsement of the OPs fantastically stupid idea (no offense meant; I've been known to think up such nonsense too).
As for the 20A outlet debate, that keeps recurring here. UNLESS YOU HAVE A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WITH A PLUG THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS:
YOU HAVE NO NEED FOR A 20A OUTLET! Period. No, 20A outlets do not provide you a better connection. Better grade outlets do exist (look up spec grade), but 15A and 30A outlets often share internal components of the SAME size.