Ballest & Breaker

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Flyinghigh

Grow Pretty Flowers
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Ok since I am getting around alittle better, so now I am working on putting up my 1000 watt lite systems.

Want to know what a Good breaker size.?
I have 2 slots and want to use the 2 spot for my new ballest..
 
The only thing I know enough to comment on electrically is make sure your wire can handle the breaker.
 
the size of your breaker is not JUST what the expected load will be, it is also about the wire gauge size. a 20 amp breaker is better than a 15 amp breaker for your load requirements, BUT it would depend on whether you are running 14g or 12 g wire. If you ran a 20a breaker and had too small of wire, it could cause a fire in your walls.
 
If you have 2 slots, are you wanting to install a 240 breaker and run your light on 240v?
 
NorCalHal said:
If you have 2 slots, are you wanting to install a 240 breaker and run your light on 240v?

I have a 20 amp in there right now and that hooked up to my 400 watt only and need to hook up the 1000 soon so I can finish flowering my grow
and the ballest is 120 volts.. The 2 breaker is for the other half of the shed to run my cooler and any saws and that breaker is 20 amps..

Wire is the Heavest wire as they come for 110..
 
you answered your own question. a 20 amp breaker. wattage is v x c = w
so w/v = c....1000w divided by 110v = 9 amps so with 1K lamp you will be using just over 9 amps. You could use a 15A breaker...but why would you? Breakers should be based on wire size, so if using 12g use a 20A.
 
umbra said:
you answered your own question. a 20 amp breaker. wattage is v x c = w
so w/v = c....1000w divided by 110v = 9 amps so with 1K lamp you will be using just over 9 amps. You could use a 15A breaker...but why would you? Breakers should be based on wire size, so if using 12g use a 20A.

Thanks Umbra!!
I was thinking I would go with another 20a too do to the wire size I have.... It better to ask then be sorry..;)

Now I can Hook up my new lite set up and finish my grow..
 
IF you can fit the large wire into the connections, you can always use larger wire -- smaller number -- but not the other way around. I make it a practice to never buy smaller than 12 gauge wire for house/shop wiring. 10 gauge will safely handle 30 amps to about 25' or maybe even to 50' depending up air flow around the cable and the air temperature.

What ever has the smallest rating will limit the amps you can safely draw.

Don Jones
 

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