How many sockets ca wire in series

BigWeed

BigWeed

Active Member
Hey guys I want to know how many sockets can I run in series with only attaching to one ext cord. Im looking to scale down from growing big trees,and not using hps and mh and only using cfls for everything. I plan on building cabs one for veg and one for flowering. Plan on saving some power with only using cfls and growing smaller plants.:mrgreen::peace:
 
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alka

Active Member
most extension cords can handle a max amperage, which will be on the cord

like 15 amps (heavy duty) = 1800 watts max, including all lights and ballasts. ( a space heater is generally 1500 watts)

Most cheaper home cords will be 10 amp max current or maybe less.
10 amp x 120v = 1200va

So keep it under a thousand watts and it will not be a problem. The flimsier the cords the less current it can handle safely.
 
A

alka

Active Member
i would run the sockets in parallel not series.

Each light should be connected light rungs of a ladder. i hope that makes sense so you don't electrocute yourself.

Please just don't hold onto your creation the first time you plug it in.
 
H

hybrid

Well-Known Member
its not a wattage limit, its how many amps you draw to light up all the light bulbs.

Growing under cfls isnt going to be cheaper when you consider how many more you need to produce the same amount of product. 2 400 watt cabs will do what you need and not hardly put a dent in your bill.
 
G

GTG

Well-Known Member
hybrid said:
its not a wattage limit, its how many amps you draw to light up all the light bulbs.

Growing under cfls isnt going to be cheaper when you consider how many more you need to produce the same amount of product. 2 400 watt cabs will do what you need and not hardly put a dent in your bill.
Click to expand...

If watts=(amps x voltage) and the CFLs and HIDs all run on 120v, how the hell is it possible for a 400w HID to use less amps then 400w of CFLs? The math doesnt work out. And we are billed (in the US anyway) based on our Kw/hour usage. So 400w/hour is 400w/hour. End of that point

No matter what his reason for going CFLs is, thats the way he went. So with that said, be careful just not to go above your cords or outlets current rating. If you use 400w of CFLs (thats the actual watts not what they are similar to in an incandescent bulb) you will draw 3.34 amps. Do not forget to add your fans into that equation. If you are in Europe then you will draw 1.9 amps (as Europe operates on a 220V system).

So unless you are using a quantity of like 43 42w bulbs, beside a mega fire hazard in that size box, you would be overpowering most house hold breakers at 15A (and most extension cords as the typical rating is 12A).

You should be ok just do the math to be certain.

Good luck and happy growing.
 
BigWeed

BigWeed

Active Member
Thanks guys for all the info I knew I had it backwards its parallal not series thanks for that correction. Each one of my outlets are on a 20amp breaker by themselves when I had the shop bulit I had the electrican wire it up that way. Im a nut for wood working just as a hobby. I have plenty of heavy duty ext cords so that wont be a problem. Thanks again when I get all done Ill post a pick of the cab and lights to see if I got it right.:blsmoke::peace:
 
R

rkm

Well-Known Member
How about just getting some vanity fixtures, they are wired and ready to go. All you do is hook them up.
 
BigWeed

BigWeed

Active Member
rkm said:
How about just getting some vanity fixtures, they are wired and ready to go. All you do is hook them up.
Click to expand...
Hey rkm Im going to Home depot in the morning to get supplies Ill grab a couple those also thanks for the heads up.:mrgreen::peace:
 
H

hybrid

Well-Known Member
GTG said:
If watts=(amps x voltage) and the CFLs and HIDs all run on 120v, how the hell is it possible for a 400w HID to use less amps then 400w of CFLs? The math doesnt work out. And we are billed (in the US anyway) based on our Kw/hour usage. So 400w/hour is 400w/hour. End of that point

No matter what his reason for going CFLs is, thats the way he went. So with that said, be careful just not to go above your cords or outlets current rating. If you use 400w of CFLs (thats the actual watts not what they are similar to in an incandescent bulb) you will draw 3.34 amps. Do not forget to add your fans into that equation. If you are in Europe then you will draw 1.9 amps (as Europe operates on a 220V system).

So unless you are using a quantity of like 43 42w bulbs, beside a mega fire hazard in that size box, you would be overpowering most house hold breakers at 15A (and most extension cords as the typical rating is 12A).

You should be ok just do the math to be certain.

Good luck and happy growing.
Click to expand...
Uh.......I was pointing out that 400 is 400 is 400

A lot of people think that 26 watt cfl which supposedly equal 100 watt incandescents really do. To them, they say......"hmmm if I use 4 26ers I have 400 watts. Thats not the case and we all know it.

I just didnt want the cat thinking he was gonna pull a true 400 watt load out of a few bulbs. If he found out what the amperage draw was for the bulbs in question he could figure out how many bulbs he could line up without blowing circuits.
 
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