Author Topic: Question About Shop Lights (Read 1368 times)

daveh · « **on:** July 19, 2012 - 11:01:21 AM »

Hey guys, I'm not sure where to ask this so if this isn't correct sorry in advance. I�ve recently moved and I am setting up the new garage. In my old garage the previous owner had 9, 8� florescent shop lights wired to one switch. I never gave it a thought since they always worked great in the cold and hot. He probably had other receptacles on it also. I don�t know.

Now that I�m setting up my shop I was going to do the same thing.

My question is can I install 9, 8' florescent lights (double bulbs) on a single 15amp breaker? I know these lights take very little power but I just wanted to be sure. Thanks

72cudamaan · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2012 - 12:28:30 PM »

Volts X amps = watts. the fixtures will show wattage use. add up your total watts
and compare. You should only use roughly 80% of your available wattage. 110 volts
times 15 amps = 1650 watts. 80% = 1320 usable watts.

daveh · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2012 - 01:16:52 PM »

This is what I purchased:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202329356/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=450970&storeId=10051&relatedSearch=450970

It's part # 450970 at Home Depot

daveh · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2012 - 01:22:27 PM »

So it's looks like I should use a 20amp breaker?

Skunkworks Challenger · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2012 - 01:41:33 PM »

Quote

So it's looks like I should use a 20amp breaker?

And 12 gauge wire.

72cudamaan · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2012 - 05:15:24 PM »

According to my calculations, you could use 9 shop lights with 2 75 watt bulbs each.
9 x 150 =1350. You would be slightly above the 80%, but not enough to use a 20 amp breaker.
Just make sure it is dedicated to only the lights. Or if you are wiring other things, put 1/2 the lights
on a circuit with a coupla outlets. And the same with the other 1/2. That way if you pop a
breaker, you still have some lighting to see your way to the panel.

72cudamaan · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2012 - 05:16:51 PM »

Also for what it is worth, nominal voltage varies by location. You may have 110 up to 120 volts.
That will also change your total wattage. Easy to measure.

Author Topic: Question About Shop Lights (Read 1368 times)

daveh

Question About Shop Lights

72cudamaan

Re: Question About Shop Lights

daveh

Re: Question About Shop Lights

daveh

Re: Question About Shop Lights

Skunkworks Challenger

Re: Question About Shop Lights

72cudamaan

Re: Question About Shop Lights

72cudamaan

Re: Question About Shop Lights