Electrical Question 110v to 240v

Jackrolls1 · May 10, 2013

Hey guys my current 5kw of HIDs are all on 110v circuits.
I want to switch things up to 240v.
The 5 lights are currently wired to 3 110v 20 amp breakers on 14/2 wire.

Can i just take these breakers out and install 3 240v 15 amp breakers on the 14g wire sense its only 8.2amps per breaker?
Or do i need the 12g wire?

Jackrolls1 · May 11, 2013

ok i just answered my own question. I googled it and looks like 14g wire is rated for max 15 amps so I think I'm ok.

axeman916 · May 11, 2013

Way to go jack!

Hugo Phurst · May 11, 2013

Jackrolls1 said:
Can i just take these breakers out and install 3 240v 15 amp breakers...

No, YOU can't. You have no idea of what you're trying to do...so don't. Do you even know if your lamps are rated 220VAC?

Jackrolls1 · May 11, 2013

Hugo Phurst said:
No, YOU can't. You have no idea of what you're trying to do...so don't. Do you even know if your lamps are rated 220VAC?

I was unaware of different of vac ratings of lamps. would you mind explaining?
thank you

chuck estevez · May 11, 2013

Jackrolls1 said:
I was unaware of different of vac ratings of lamps. would you mind explaining?
thank you

the lamps aren't but the ballasts need to be dual voltage, also, that rating for the wire is it's maximum for a certain length. How long is your wiring run?

Jackrolls1 · May 11, 2013

chuck estevez said:
the lamps aren't but the ballasts need to be dual voltage, also, that rating for the wire is it's maximum for a certain length. How long is your wiring run?

yea all of my ballasts can run 240v. run is 10 feet.

chuck estevez · May 11, 2013

Jackrolls1 said:
yea all of my ballasts can run 240v. run is 10 feet.

should be o.k then. why are you switching it over though?

spek9 · May 11, 2013

You do understand that 240v breakers are dual-pole right? This will send 120v down both the black wire and the white one, and you'll have no neutral.

It is also very important that these are dedicated circuits used only for lighting and aren't connected in any way to any other circuit in your home. It looks like you've wired these three circuits yourself (as identified by the insulation inside of the panel), so you should be good there.

Also 14 ga is fine for 15A. I'd go with 12 ga for 20 though.

-spek

Sand4x105 · May 11, 2013

I can not tell, do you even have three open spaces in your panel?

IMO [EC for 25 years] There is no reason, for you to switch out your power, lights use the same watts on either 110 or 220 vac, you just split it over two poles for 220....
If you are not having problems, or any issues, leave it... Unless fukk, you just want something to do...
Your bill is the same, your KW use will be the same...
I see no reason to change...
So, give us a reason ?

Good Luck!

Jackrolls1 · May 11, 2013

spek9 said:
You do understand that 240v breakers are dual-pole right? This will send 120v down both the black wire and the white one, and you'll have no neutral.

It is also very important that these are dedicated circuits used only for lighting and aren't connected in any way to any other circuit in your home. It looks like you've wired these three circuits yourself (as identified by the insulation inside of the panel), so you should be good there.

Also 14 ga is fine for 15A. I'd go with 12 ga for 20 though.

-spek

Sand4x105 said:
I can not tell, do you even have three open spaces in your panel?

IMO [EC for 25 years] There is no reason, for you to switch out your power, lights use the same watts on either 110 or 220 vac, you just split it over two poles for 220....
If you are not having problems, or any issues, leave it... Unless fukk, you just want something to do...
Your bill is the same, your KW use will be the same...
I see no reason to change...
So, give us a reason ?

Good Luck!

Im switching to lower the amps, to add on other things.

contraptionated · May 11, 2013

Your watts will remain the same. Also, you will not be able to justify re-arranging some of the other single pole breakers to make room for the two pole 240v breakers. You would waste money for no return on your dollar.

chuck estevez · May 11, 2013

Jackrolls1 said:
Im switching to lower the amps, to add on other things.

110 volts, ballasts uses for example 8 amps @ 240v you have 2 legs running 4 amps each. you will achieve nothing other than taking spaces for other breakers. Going to 220 is just better for the equipment, that's the only difference.

contraptionated · May 11, 2013

The only time 220 is better for equipment is when an alternating current motor approaches the neighborhood of 10HP. That's when efficiency gets better and that doesn't even concern regular 220v split-phase house wiring. To get the motor more efficient, you would need a three phase supply. I've never heard of a multi tap ballast lasting longer on the 240v tap vs the 110v tap.

Jackrolls1 · May 11, 2013

So 240ballasts are useless?

Jackrolls1 · May 12, 2013

I ended up rewiring everything. i kept everything at 110v. I reran the lines with 12-2 to be safe.

Electrical Question 110v to 240v

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