Is it dangerous to plug my lights in to extension cords?

So my groom room is a 10 x 12 spare bedroom on a 15 amp breaker. I got 3 1k lights and an AC unit that pulls 1100 watt. Suffice to say that when I plug in 2 of any of these the breaker trips.

So I plugged in only the AC in the bedroom and plugged in each light to a 15 Amp heavy duty extension cord.

This one to be precise...

http://m.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-50-ft-12-3-Tri-Tap-Extension-Cord-HD-165-271/100672815/

I have a big house and a lot of extra circuits. For the time being I have the extension cords taped down and plugged in to other rooms that are seldom used. IS THIS SAFE ?

I also have a 240v circuit down the hall that is used for washer / dryer, would I be better off getting a extension cord to this outlet? I can force my wife to do laundry during lights off Lol

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Thanks !!

Oh I forgot to add the 240 v circuit appears to be 40 amp. Is that normal in residential ?

Iv used extention chords with my 1k lights, I noticed some chords get hot and more expensive ones don't...

Bublonichronic said:

Iv used extention chords with my 1k lights, I noticed some chords get hot and more expensive ones don't...

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Yeah I agree. I'm using 2 extension cords. One is a orange from walmart the other is a yellow thicker one I've had for years. The orange gets warm while the other doesn't. I'm going to upgrade both of them soon.

sehnsee said:

Oh I forgot to add the 240 v circuit appears to be 40 amp. Is that normal in residential ?

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That's pretty standard, though I have seen houses without the 240v dryer circuit, just a 120v for gas dryers.

That's a good cord to use, 12 gauge wire, grounded. Extension cords are fine to use, just make sure that the connection is always solid, loose connections at the plug are the cause of a lot of electrical problems.

40amp is min for 240V. I've seen some with 50 and 60amp breakers. Depends on the code and also what the homeowner is wanting. The thicker the gauge wire the cooler it will be.

if you have to ask and question yourself its not safe

So the 240v 40 amp plug, how many 1000w am I safe to plug in? Also since that outlet only has 2 connectors can I use a good power strip?

sehnsee said:

So the 240v 40 amp plug, how many 1000w am I safe to plug in? Also since that outlet only has 2 connectors can I use a good power strip?

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plug n play.Pop some breakers and try again.You'll figure out the magic combo before long

Wirk out Amps divide watt by the volt so 1000 watt be just over 4 amps

Most extensions cables can handle 15amp is 1.5mm cable.

So run just two be on safe side will take 3.

Also make sure cable is not coiled up in anyway as that add to heat make sure stretched out.

sehnsee said:

So the 240v 40 amp plug, how many 1000w am I safe to plug in? Also since that outlet only has 2 connectors can I use a good power strip?

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That would only work if your ballasts can run on 240v. Unless you have experience with electrical, and given the nature of the post I'm assuming you don't, you're best bet is to not mess around with it.

sehnsee said:

So the 240v 40 amp plug, how many 1000w am I safe to plug in? Also since that outlet only has 2 connectors can I use a good power strip?

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i wouldnt plug the lights into a 240 volt outlet unless you have a lighting controller and ballasts capable of running 240. seen shit burn down for less.

It will be perfectly fine. Most extension cords have a max amp rating, look for that. As for the watts you pull through it that doesn't matter. What matters is how many amps your pulling through it. Hope that answers your question. Its always good to ask questions, better be safe than sorry. Happy growing

One fact that has been over looked and needs to be addressed, is that extension cords are for temporary use, not for months on end, nor permanent fixtures. I would not want to have cords all over the place where they could be accessed by kids, pets, tripping, prying eyes, etc. If you are going to do a grow room, get the power you need to the space in a fashion that does not draw attention, or pose a safety issue of any kind. You will be better off in the long run, for sure.

Peace and Safe Grows

Asmallvoice

sehnsee said:

So my groom room is a 10 x 12 spare bedroom on a 15 amp breaker. I got 3 1k lights and an AC unit that pulls 1100 watt. Suffice to say that when I plug in 2 of any of these the breaker trips.

So I plugged in only the AC in the bedroom and plugged in each light to a 15 Amp heavy duty extension cord.

This one to be precise...

http://m.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-50-ft-12-3-Tri-Tap-Extension-Cord-HD-165-271/100672815/

I have a big house and a lot of extra circuits. For the time being I have the extension cords taped down and plugged in to other rooms that are seldom used. IS THIS SAFE ?

I also have a 240v circuit down the hall that is used for washer / dryer, would I be better off getting a extension cord to this outlet? I can force my wife to do laundry during lights off Lol

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Thanks !!

Click to expand...

Rest of your house 120v, right?... WEIRD but OK. A 40 Amp circuit at 220V can take the same load (in watts) as an 80 Amp circuit in 120V. Are you CERTAIN about this though?
If you have the ONE 40Amp circuit at 240, run your dryer off a 120V circuit, at 40 amps you will be able to run all your grow gear with a fuktonne of headroom left to spare. Also, are you certain your A/C is only pulling 1100 watts? A 12000 BTU will typically use 4.5 to 5kW peaks no problem.

As long as you make sure your extensions are taking NO MORE than 80 percent of their rated load, all should be good. I would suggest investing in some fused plugs for them though. On an extension an individual fused plug is a RAD idea, if the circuit gets too 'hot' gear you lose the ONE fuse instead of trippin the power to the rest of your grow.

15Amp at 120V is TINY. Also make sure your main breaker can handle the load you are throwing at it. 80 percent of rated load is your MAX usable load...

My electrician is a solid guy and I can't live without him. You REALLY want to take all your electricity concerns to a professional. All you need to do is think of appliances that can draw as much as your gear and you can make up your story and get PROFESSIONAL answers to your questions. Don't fuck around with electricity.

Dude... Professional Electrician here...

Listen, every cord made in the USA has a UL label on it… It is as good as the label…

Givens: Never exceed 80% of your UL listing

120/240vac house wire

I would not go over these loads for cords wire sized:

Extension cords- 16 awg-8 amps

14 awg [awg = american wire gauge] is good for 15 amps

12 awg cord= 20 amps which is the best cord size to get…

A 15 amp house circuit can only supply you with 15 total amps at 120 volts which = [15 a times 120 v = about 1700-1800 watts… that’s it… Get another circuit in there…

Or…

Change your 40 amp outlet to a sub panel… go to Lowes [bought one four weeks ago]

And buy yourself a 100 amp [bus rating] and put a 40 amp main in…

Run female plugs off the breakers, and ground and hook up properly…

Then plug an extension cord into the hanging female plugs…

Extension cords, then run to your grow…it wont look that good, but you can get creative and loom your cords… Watch for loose plugs in future,

FYI- Me, I’d run separate cords and circuits for each device to be safe-- 1k light, circuit #1... 1k light, circuit #2... Another 1k light circuit #3... Fans on another circuit…

NEVER put two [or more] 1000 watt fixtures on any single circuit for safety reasons… two 1000 watters, might not blow the 20 amp breaker, however, the extra resistance in the wire will heat up the cords, and each plug could be a potential issue for fire…

Be safe…

This thread I wrote a few months ago is perfect for you!...................https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/607986-electric-questions-maybe-will-help.html#post8488555

try using this as a guide : http://www.supercircuits.com/resources/tools/volts-watts-amps-converter

you will have to caculate it with the voltage and wattage to get the max amp answer.
if you are overloading the plug or cable then it will get hot.
exension cords must be fully unwound or the cord will get hot.


i am from uk and we have less trouble than usa as we are all protected with rcd (residual current device switch) cuts current at the main switch when electric shock or equipment fault is found through the live (brown) and neutral wire (blue) which it uses as an earth.

mcb (micro circuit breaker) cuts the current at the main switch when there is a serious overload detected or electric shock or equipment fault felt through the live and earth wire.

rcbo an rcbo is both devices in one switch which is expensive all modern houses are supposed to be fitted with these in the consumer unit (fuse board)

these switches will switch off when overload is detected, an electric shock or fault is found through the live the neutral or the earth wire.
these are the switches you would want to use.
combined with a burglar alarm a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm you are fully protected day and night.

AZ BUD said:

40amp is min for 240V. I've seen some with 50 and 60amp breakers. Depends on the code and also what the homeowner is wanting. The thicker the gauge wire the cooler it will be.

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Actually any size breaker can be used as 240v. Length of run comes into play with extension cords and gauge sizes. Extension cords + high power...not good. Extensions are to be used as a temporary supplies and were not meant for long term use. Personally I would use the dryer outlet, you can buy a set up that would still allow your wife to do her laundry at the same time. A single 40 amp 240v will handle your two lights(almost 10 amps) and your dryer(18 amps if its newer) with room to spare. 12 gauge wiring will easily run 50ft. before you need to size down to 10 gauge. Hope this helps JAS

I currently run 4 thousand watt lights on two orange extention chords to divid the electricty to other areas of my house. No problems. I also have like 10 fans on them. Your fine. They might feel warm but who cares? Warm dosnt start fires lol. Id be more worried about condensation or police...