 |
05-14-2011, 06:05 PM
|
#1
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,069
|
15 vs 20A circuits
are there fixtures that should go only on 15 and never on 20A circuits, for the fire hazard or frying the fixture?
i have a track lighting setup that comes with a transformer and it says do not exceed 300W. i wanna put it on a 20A circuit (the only one running in that part of the house). i was wondering if it may fry the light or introduce a fire hazard.
thanks
|
|
|
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. DIYChatroom.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any home improvement task!
|
05-14-2011, 06:24 PM
|
#2
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 780
|
15 vs 20A circuits
No the 300 watt limit is on the output side of the transformer, that is the total value of all the lights connected to it.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to hayewe farm For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
05-14-2011, 06:31 PM
|
#3
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,069
|
15 vs 20A circuits
so do you think the light is fine on a 20A circuit?
|
|
|
|
|
05-14-2011, 06:50 PM
|
#4
|
|
Civil Engineer
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Boston
Posts: 3,559
|
15 vs 20A circuits
The light is fine on a 20A circuit. The 20A circuit means that the breaker is rated for 20A, and the wire is rated for 20A (the wire must be a minimum of 12 gage). The amount of current a device draws is related to the resistance of the device and the voltage, not the size of the breaker or the size of the wire feeding the device.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Daniel Holzman For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
05-14-2011, 06:51 PM
|
#5
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,069
|
15 vs 20A circuits
thanks a lot.
|
|
|
|
|
05-14-2011, 07:26 PM
|
#6
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Welland, Ontario
Posts: 6,027
|
15 vs 20A circuits
You should add your location to your profile.
In Canada lighting must be on 15 amp circuits. It is not permitted be on 20 amp circuits.
__________________
Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.
|
|
|
|
|
05-14-2011, 07:54 PM
|
#7
|
|
Full time DIY
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 36
|
15 vs 20A circuits
Quote:
Originally Posted by joed
You should add your location to your profile.
In Canada lighting must be on 15 amp circuits. It is not permitted be on 20 amp circuits.
|
'Tis true!
|
|
|
|
|
05-15-2011, 09:08 AM
|
#8
|
|
Electrician
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Near Jackson Michigan Area
Posts: 1,449
|
15 vs 20A circuits
Quote:
Originally Posted by joed
You should add your location to your profile.
In Canada lighting must be on 15 amp circuits. It is not permitted be on 20 amp circuits.
|
Hey Joe....do you know what the reasoning is? Curious.
amakarevic...please post your location....would be a great help.
__________________
Kyle
Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should
|
|
|
|
|
05-15-2011, 09:16 AM
|
#9
|
|
Electromagician
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 79
|
15 vs 20A circuits
Quote:
Originally Posted by SD515
Hey Joe....do you know what the reasoning is? Curious.
amakarevic...please post your location....would be a great help.
|
The reason is because they still use Federal Pacific panels there. 
|
|
|
|
|
05-15-2011, 09:50 AM
|
#10
|
|
Electrician
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Near Jackson Michigan Area
Posts: 1,449
|
15 vs 20A circuits
Oh my !! 
__________________
Kyle
Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should
|
|
|
|
|
05-15-2011, 11:17 AM
|
#11
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Welland, Ontario
Posts: 6,027
|
15 vs 20A circuits
It's in the code. Who knows why they put some of the stuff in the code.
Why do we need to use 20 amp Tslot receptacles on 20 amp circuits and NEC allows regular 15 amp receptacles?
__________________
Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.
Last edited by joed; 05-15-2011 at 11:22 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
05-15-2011, 03:33 PM
|
#12
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,069
|
15 vs 20A circuits
mid-atlantic somewhere... i don't wanna post the specific location because in my locale, it is forbidden for non-professionals to touch electrical or plumbing and it is obvious here that i am doing it. unfortunately, my handle here is a derivative of my name, i wish i could change it but this site won't let me. so yeah, i am paranoid of the big brother...
|
|
|
|
|
05-15-2011, 03:52 PM
|
#13
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Welland, Ontario
Posts: 6,027
|
15 vs 20A circuits
Quote:
Originally Posted by amakarevic
mid-atlantic somewhere... i don't wanna post the specific location because in my locale, it is forbidden for non-professionals to touch electrical or plumbing and it is obvious here that i am doing it. unfortunately, my handle here is a derivative of my name, i wish i could change it but this site won't let me. so yeah, i am paranoid of the big brother...
|
Even if you just added USA or Canada that would do it. State to state rules are not that significant unless you live in a conduit only zone like Chicago.
__________________
Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.
|
|
|
|
|
05-15-2011, 04:09 PM
|
#14
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,069
|
15 vs 20A circuits
a small jurisdiction in USA where the local government watches your every move...
|
|
|
|
-->
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
