Wiring up multiple led lights - lighting controller questions

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banke1

Well-Known Member
Hey guys....

I'm looking to wire up multiple rooms with a number of different lights including the new spydrs, and custom plc strip builds. Both the fluence and the custom lights will be a maximum of 3A each on 240v. When wiring these lights up, whats the cleanest way to do it? I have one room with 20 lights, and one with 12. I don't need one of those light controllers with a trigger cord as I will be using a 0-10v controller for controlling the timing and intensity of the lights. And if that is my only option, then what do I do to calculate the proper breaker for the light controller? For example the Autopilot APCL8DX is capable of running 8x 1000w ballasts with 50A input.... meant to handle 5.3 amps x 8 lights = 42.4 amps... which would require a 50A 2-pole breaker and #6awg wire. But if I only wanted to run 3amps x 8 = 24 amps, could/should I set it up with a 30A 2-pole breaker? What size wire would be appropriate?

Is there a cheaper way of doing this without these light controllers? :)

Thanks :)
 
whytewidow

whytewidow

Well-Known Member
banke1 said:
Hey guys....

I'm looking to wire up multiple rooms with a number of different lights including the new spydrs, and custom plc strip builds. Both the fluence and the custom lights will be a maximum of 3A each on 240v. When wiring these lights up, whats the cleanest way to do it? I have one room with 20 lights, and one with 12. I don't need one of those light controllers with a trigger cord as I will be using a 0-10v controller for controlling the timing and intensity of the lights. And if that is my only option, then what do I do to calculate the proper breaker for the light controller? For example the Autopilot APCL8DX is capable of running 8x 1000w ballasts with 50A input.... meant to handle 5.3 amps x 8 lights = 42.4 amps... which would require a 50A 2-pole breaker and #6awg wire. But if I only wanted to run 3amps x 8 = 24 amps, could/should I set it up with a 30A 2-pole breaker? What size wire would be appropriate?

Is there a cheaper way of doing this without these light controllers? :)

Thanks :)
Click to expand...
Take whatever your total load is gonna be and multiply it by 125% that's the size breaker you need. Like if it comes to day 17 Amps. Youd get a 20amp, so forth n so on. You dont wanna draw more than 80% of the total breaker load.
 
mathewscott

mathewscott

Active Member
whytewidow said:
Take whatever your total load is gonna be and multiply it by 125% that's the size breaker you need. Like if it comes to day 17 Amps. Youd get a 20amp, so forth n so on. You dont wanna draw more than 80% of the total breaker load.
Click to expand...
75% never more
 
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banke1

Well-Known Member
ok so 20 lights @ 2.63amps each is 52.6 amps. I guess a 60 amp breaker is too small and I should get a 70. Now do I have to spend $1400 on a titan 24 light controller or is there a cheaper alternative?
 
whytewidow

whytewidow

Well-Known Member
banke1 said:
ok so 20 lights @ 2.63amps each is 52.6 amps. I guess a 60 amp breaker is too small and I should get a 70. Now do I have to spend $1400 on a titan 24 light controller or is there a cheaper alternative?
Click to expand...
No its 52.6a × 125% or 1.25 which is 65.75a you should be an 80 amp breaker to pass state electric code.

Edit: 65 amps of 80 is 81.25% of that breaker. By nec code you need a 80amp breaker
 
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banke1

Well-Known Member
I understand the 75-80% thing, but I don't understand how you got up to 80 amps. 70 *.75 is 52.5. 52.6 is the draw for 20 lights @ 2.63amps each which is 75.14% of a 70a breaker, which should be fine....

on to the next question though, how do you do it without using an expensive light controller?
 
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