How much power can an outlet support?

So I am connecting 2 400 watt lights, and 2 can fans, 1 6" (120w) other 4"(110w) totaling 1030 w. not including some other low power fans. At what point will the breaker be set off? Should I distribute from different outlets throughout the room? I can't run any wire to the breaker box, way too far.

That's going to be way more than 15 amps which is the normal amount for bedrooms. I found this out the hard way haha.

an outlet is usally rated at 15-20A but thats just the outlet, and not the circuit breaker.

1030w / 120v = 11a

your OK

303 said:

So I am connecting 2 400 watt lights, and 2 can fans, 1 6" (120w) other 4"(110w) totaling 1030 w. not including some other low power fans. At what point will the breaker be set off? Should I distribute from different outlets throughout the room? I can't run any wire to the breaker box, way too far.

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This from a google search
"watts per 15 amp circuit"
A 15 amp circuit can carry only a total of 1440 watts,which is 80% of the 1800 watts found by multiplying the volts times amps,15 x 120 x 80%= 1440.


A 20 amp circuit can be loaded 1920 watts, 120 x 20 x 80%=1920 watts.

It looks like you're good to go as long as you plug a hair dryer into the same circuit.

is each outlet a separate circuit? or are there sections? like if you open the breaker box theres bathroom room 1 room 2 etc... are these all seperate circuits capable of 15 amps? do i only have 15 amps available in my house?

303 said:

anotherwards? i'm good?

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Possibly not. The breaker that runs that outlet should be 15 or 20 amps. It's quite possible that the one breaker powers ALL outlets in that room. So, using other outlets won't help. To check: find the breaker that controls one of the outlets, turn it off, then go around the room and plug something into the other outlets to see if they still work. If any of them are working, then you'll know that they're on another breaker, and you'll be able to distribute the power usage among the two breakers.

Edit: I didn't work out the math - someone else did, and it looks like you're alright, even on just one breaker.

And, to answer your last question: yes, each separate breaker is 15 amps; not your whole house.

even a 15a breaker is good 1305 / 120v = 11 amps.. Your GOOD TO GO

Leothwyn said:

Possibly not. The breaker that runs that outlet should be 15 or 20 amps. It's quite possible that the one breaker powers ALL outlets in that room. So, using other outlets won't help. To check: find the breaker that controls one of the outlets, turn it off, then go around the room and plug something into the other outlets to see if they still work. If any of them are working, then you'll know that they're on another breaker, and you'll be able to distribute the power usage among the two breakers.

Edit: I didn't work out the math - someone else did, and it looks like you're alright, even on just one breaker.

And, to answer your last question: yes, each separate breaker is 15 amps; not your whole house.

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Just realized my math was bad, but your still golden.

303 said:

is each outlet a separate circuit? or are there sections? like if you open the breaker box theres bathroom room 1 room 2 etc... are these all seperate circuits capable of 15 amps? do i only have 15 amps available in my house?

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Most modern houses have at least 100 amp service. Larger houses can have more. My house had an old electrical panel when I bought it; it was 60 amps and that was from 70 years ago. Cartridge fuses, lol. Of course I still have knob and tube wiring in some places (not any growing circuits lol)

excellent thread. +rep everyone

what no one mentioned is that the breaker that powers that outlet may also power outlets in other rooms. I have seen circiuts that catch an outlet in the living room,1 in the kitchen on the same common wall and go upstairs to the bath and bedroom & finally to the attic to power a vent fan.
you need to find the breaker that controls the outlet of choice in your room, turn it off & check all the outlets in the house along w/ any other devices that are hardwired like a vent fan,furnace,bath fan,ect. add up the draw from other devises powered by that breaker(dont forget things like the vacum that are not used continuiously) to your total draw for the room (1030).as mentioned above,if you are under 1500 watts for a 15 amp breaker or 2000 watts for a 20 amp breaker,you are good.if the outlets in the room are on different breakers,you could devide the load up

mrmadcow said:

what no one mentioned is that the breaker that powers that outlet may also power outlets in other rooms. I have seen circiuts that catch an outlet in the living room,1 in the kitchen on the same common wall and go upstairs to the bath and bedroom & finally to the attic to power a vent fan.
you need to find the breaker that controls the outlet of choice in your room, turn it off & check all the outlets in the house along w/ any other devices that are hardwired like a vent fan,furnace,bath fan,ect. add up the draw from other devises powered by that breaker(dont forget things like the vacum that are not used continuiously) to your total draw for the room (1030).as mentioned above,if you are under 1500 watts for a 15 amp breaker or 2000 watts for a 20 amp breaker,you are good.if the outlets in the room are on different breakers,you could devide the load up

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LOL. I have circuits like that. Drove me crazy when I mapped the house!

mrmadcow said:

what no one mentioned is that the breaker that powers that outlet may also power outlets in other rooms. I have seen circiuts that catch an outlet in the living room,1 in the kitchen on the same common wall and go upstairs to the bath and bedroom & finally to the attic to power a vent fan.
you need to find the breaker that controls the outlet of choice in your room, turn it off & check all the outlets in the house along w/ any other devices that are hardwired like a vent fan,furnace,bath fan,ect. add up the draw from other devises powered by that breaker(dont forget things like the vacum that are not used continuiously) to your total draw for the room (1030).as mentioned above,if you are under 1500 watts for a 15 amp breaker or 2000 watts for a 20 amp breaker,you are good.if the outlets in the room are on different breakers,you could devide the load up

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yes someone else did mention this , but not as thorough. When i wire a home , I make sure there is more then one circuit per room , just incase a breaker pops u will still have power in every room.... so that also means that one circuit will go from 1 room to another and even a couple of lights.... so be carful with all that because you are wanting to MAX out that circuit with JUST grow, that means u will not be able to plug a vacuum in to that circuit OR ANYTHING else! A general rule is to put about 6 or 7 plugs and 3 or 4 lights on 1 15amp circuit. Most newer electricians try to put 1 single bedroom on a circuit by itself (lights and all) and if you only have 3 plugs and 1 light in there , then there is probably more plugs or lights on that same circuit elsewhere in the home. Either way its better to break 11 amps into 2 circuits if possible, (less resistance=less power used) So i would run 2 more 14gauge wires to the panel no matter how far it is (even if i gotta duct tape them to ceiling ) That just makes it so you KNOW you aint gonna overload a circuit!