electrical question

what size breaker do i need to run between 1500 and 3000 watts? whatever i'm on now isn't enough and i need to upgrade it before my new light & fan get here.i'll be running a 600 watt a/c,a 600 watt hps,a 170 cfm centrifugal fan,250 watts of cfl's and a few other smaller fans and a small compressor before long.thanks

 

I wouldn't put any more than a 1000w on a circuit. If you want 3000w then I would have 3 breakers 20A.

 

are you planning on changing the breaker cause you will have to check and see how many breakers are there and see if you have enough amperage left over to use off the panel. you need a 30 amp breaker for 3000w, it will draw 25 amps and you are only allowed to use 85% of the breakers rating.

 

thanks neon,so 20 amps per 1000 watts?


i have enough room for 3 single pole breakers or a double and a single

 

here is a site for people to look at for further questions about watts and amperage.

 

oops http://bugclub.org/beginners/math/WattsVoltsAmps.html

 

hey hygrade you dont want to add breakers until you figure out what you have there you will end up burning your house down if you load up 3 20 amp breakers you better hope you have a 200 amp panel or as soon as you turn your oven on it will trip your main panel which is prob 100 amp service

 

btw I am an electrician so I kinda know what is safe and wont burn your house down when you are sleeping

 

yeah,it is 100 amp,what should i do?


and 2000 watts may be more accurate


so a 20 amp should cover me?


Convert Watts to AMPS:


AMPS = Watts / Voltage


I = P ÷ E


Example:


2,300 WATTS = 2300w divided by 120v = 19.1 AMPS

 

pull off the front of the electrical panel dont worry you will see wires going to the breakers see if any breakers dont have wires. you can use two of those if they are 15 amp just split the load up evenly. those two will handle 3000w no problem.

 

well that even saves me money,thank you bc.


not sure of the wire size,but there is room on the panel for a couple breakers.its a rental with a shitty remodeling job.everything runs fine now,but i'll be upgrading to a bigger light and exhaust fan in a week and just want to make sure i'm not going to wake up on fire

 

2000w on 20 amps is suspect because hid's take up lots of power on start up and could over draw the circuit. generally as a rule you only use 85% of available amps but you can go over 85% safely. but now dont go changing breakers unless you know the size of the wire 14 gauge for 15amps 12 gauge for 20 amps you now have the information to make sure you dont burn your place down whether or not you have room on that panel is the last question

 

I can smell burning :icon_confused:

 

He's right. Don't use anything less than No. 12 wire w/ a 20 amp breaker

 

stellar advice right there hygrade

 

yes and much appreciated too

 

I use 12 for everything, except light fixure's.


I also use several power stip's, thru-out my place.