a 600 watt light and air conditioner on a 15 amp circuit?
- Thread starter sampson456
- Start date
cues
Well-Known Member
OK, listen up.
HID lamps don't work the same as most electrical appliances. While they may RUN at 600 watts or so, it's the huge initial start-up current surge to strike the arc of the bulb that causes problems.
Basically, this means you can ignore everyone trying to add up amps and watts on here. Yes, it works that way for most electrical apparatus, and it works fo trying to estimate electricity consumption No, it doesn't work that way with ballasts when trying to work out fuse ratings.
If this is a problem, there is one easy way around it. Simply have the a/c on a different timer set to come on a couple of minutes after the light.
HID lamps don't work the same as most electrical appliances. While they may RUN at 600 watts or so, it's the huge initial start-up current surge to strike the arc of the bulb that causes problems.
Basically, this means you can ignore everyone trying to add up amps and watts on here. Yes, it works that way for most electrical apparatus, and it works fo trying to estimate electricity consumption No, it doesn't work that way with ballasts when trying to work out fuse ratings.
If this is a problem, there is one easy way around it. Simply have the a/c on a different timer set to come on a couple of minutes after the light.
sampson456
Member
Thanks alot for the heads up Cues definitly good to know. I will get two separate timers.
trying to work out why my fuses were tripping at lights on. What I couldn't work out at the time was why a manual re-set would be ok! Hope I saved someone else the trouble 
.tokengator
Member
If it is a 20 amp circuit, it should trip at 80% of the load,so 16 amps. Just because the breaker does not trip does not mean it is ok. If it is a sqare D, , GE or seimens it should trip if overloaded. I definitely believe you are overloaded. Most A/C units are run on a dedicated circuit. And PLEASE DO NOT ADD A BIGGER BREAKER! I am not sure how old your house is but do not do it if it was wired in aluminum. Most houses burn down due to old or cheap breakers because a lot of people believe that if it does not trip, it is ok. When I was in school to take my test, we started a fire with every brand of breakers EXCEPT sqare d. So just be careful!
sampson456
Member
All right thanks for the advice i will check that out.
Clown Baby
Well-Known Member
amps*volts=watts.
Your circuit is probably 15 amps.
All of your equipment should have amperage ratings. Make sure they don't add up to over 15. 12 to be safe
Your circuit is probably 15 amps.
All of your equipment should have amperage ratings. Make sure they don't add up to over 15. 12 to be safe