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Ct

I have a 3 tier shelf in which I've hung 3 48" shop light fixtures. I also have 3 seedling heat mats. All will be plugged into a 6 outlet strip, then from therean extension cord into one 110 outlet. Is this too much draw to plug into one electrical outlet?? I will be putting in 6 T12 40 watt bulbs in the 3 fixtures { 2 bulbs per fixture}

2/20/2010 6:26:09 PM

Petrolia,Ontario. Canada

it is hard to answer this one it would be fine if it was on its own circuit but if it is on an exsisting cct you might overload that cct if you have a clamp on ammeter you could see how much current that CCT is drawing and that would give you a better idea

good luck Lonnie

2/20/2010 6:52:33 PM

Ct

would it make a difference if I used two seperate cords, utilizing both top and bottom receptacles instead of just the one?

2/20/2010 9:19:57 PM

Nicholls Georgia

it could work what size breaker is the line on it needs to have enough amps so it wont throw it iv had that much pluged up before with no problems just try is all i can say.

2/20/2010 9:40:08 PM

Connecticut

100 watts equals one amp,so just add up the wattage.one outlet holds 15 amps.

2/20/2010 10:11:59 PM

Des Moines, Iowa

the bulbs are probably about one amp per bulb. I don't know what the heat mats draw. Using two extension cords would do no good both pull from the same power source. I think you will be fine unless there is alot of other things on that circuit. If you start tripping you breaker and it is a 15 amp, I would put a 20 amp breaker in it. They are very easy to change and only a couple of dollars.

Chad

2/20/2010 10:14:26 PM

Connecticut

bad advice chad,wire size has to match the breaker.that will cause a fire,because the breaker will not trip.

2/20/2010 10:21:50 PM

Springfield, VT

You should be ok the shop lights probably draw about 100 watts each and the heat mats about 20 each for the 9 x 20 black mats. All should be labeled with the power draw in amps. Just total up the amps from each. Use good quality extension cord with ground and wire size of #14 for 15 amps. The better power strips have built in circuit breakers and should trip before the breaker

2/21/2010 8:48:41 AM

chilliwack, b.c. , canada eh

you are allowed to load each circuit up to 1440 watts even though 1800watts are available. the lights will draw a little over the 240 watts of the lamps due to heat losses so you have a lot of room for the heat matts. check those and see what the wattage of the matts are. seed matts are usually under 100 watts small ones are about 17 watts. add up the total watts from the heat matts and add 240 watts from the lights and you will get your total watts. i think you will be if you are under 1440 you are okay. keep in mind that you may have other draws on this circuit already you can add these draws as well. ie. 100 watt light

2/21/2010 10:45:28 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Please be careful and don't hurt yourself.

2/21/2010 11:15:58 AM

Ohio

well being a firefighter, i wouldn't go from the 6 outlet power strip to an extension cord. Big fire hazard. I would try to find another way to use the power strip, with out using the extension cord.I have seen to many fires caused by routing electric this way. Yes, the outlet may handle it. But you may over heat the cord. My 2 cents. Just be careful!!!

2/21/2010 9:37:27 PM

Ct

I can probably move the unit closer to the outlet so i can plug the strip directly into the outlet.

2/22/2010 6:22:24 AM

Ohio

That would be the best idea lisfisher. Hope you go big.
Danny

2/22/2010 9:09:24 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

If you are going to be using extension cords...and have any overload prblms...why not run one of the extension cords to somewhere that is on a different circuit? Maybe not possible, but I have 3 or 4 different circuits in my basement, and I split up the power load of my sprouting system to at least 2 different circuits!!! Peace, Wayne

2/22/2010 11:29:06 PM