Max Electrical box voltage draw

AKgrower29 said:

Whether you run your lights at 120v or 240v you are still using the same amperage. Watching wattage and amperage are the same thing as they correlate (more wattage is more amperage) you can not "use less power" by going to 240v.

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Um, no. 240V will pull less amps than 120. My 1000w pulls 9ish amps@120, 5ish amps@240. Less amp draw is better.
You're correct you won't use less total power(wattage) , but you can decrease the amp draw, or total current, on your circuits.

i can say this, after seeing some bad things happen to people i knew/know. some houses are old and some new ones are just wired as cheap as possible.

if this is something you are really committed too. call an electrician and set up a sub panel for 240/120 with 2-4 breakers, good to leave one at 120 for small stuff. then have him run the plug box to the area you want with plus size gauge wire in tubing.

also its a good idea to install smoke and co2 detectors while your at it.

you will take a hit in the check book for sure.

WeedFreak78 said:

Um, no. 240V will pull less amps than 120. My 1000w pulls 9ish amps@120, 5ish amps@240. Less amp draw is better.
You're correct you won't use less total power(wattage) , but you can decrease the amp draw, or total current, on your circuits.

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The above statement that you quoted was talking about the main amperage being consumed by the main breaker which is what the inital question was relating to. You are correct on lowering amperage going from 120 to 240 but it makes no difference to the main 240 breaker. Simply said "you can not reduce power". Sorry for the confusion. But I second the opinion that if your unsure or don't know, find a professional.

I think I'm comfortable where i am at. I've have 2 600w and a 400 running before. I think I'm going to do 3 600s and 2 400s so I'm only going to be increasing my wattage around 1500 with fans and everything. I will split it up on 2 circuits. Should be good . That will only be about 3500 w on 4 circuits

HA! I went and looked at my main, 200A, box. I have 2, 100A sub panels, a couple 30A 240 runs- stove, dryer and AC, a 20A 240 run for my lights and a bunch of 15A runs. I totalled 430A in breakers... LOL. One of the 100A subs isn't used, just powers an old garage used for storage now with one 8ft 2 bulb t8, and my central AC has been removed so I'm not using one 30A run, so really 300A total.. that's a little better. Stupid old houses.