I was recently told my flower room 20 AMP service is insuffient.
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My flower room has a dedicated 20AMP breaker, about 40 feet of grounded 12/2 Romex wiring, and 3 outlet boxes.
The main outlet has a 15AMP/1200W rated digital 2 plug timer. The 2 plugs power two HPS 600W bulbs and associated digital ballasts.
The second outlet has a 6 inch inline fan (Can Fan RS6HO) rated at max 138W, 1.15 AMP. It has a temperature sensor controller switching the inline fan on and off as needed. It also has a 12" oscilating fan on a stick to circulate air.
The third outlet powers a string of mini-christmas lights that I use as a task light. I sometimes use it for general power (shop vac, 216W trimming light.)
I use an extension cord for the oscilating fan. Otherwise, there are no power strips or extension cords.
That's it.
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I have been up and running for about 1.5 years. I recently had a ballast "in the shop" at a local store because it was flashing over voltage. The problem was diagnosed as a 1 year old HPS bulb asking for too much amperage. During the discussion I was told I should have my 600W HPS on seperate 20 amp circuits because they can draw much more that 600 watts during startup.
I have not had any electrical problems except for this ballast problem, which was resolved with the purchase of a new HPS bulb.
Before I built my veg room, I used to run an additional 432 watts (2x4 bulb T5 CFLs) off the main outlet box.
My digital ballasts have random staggered start delays to reduce the power surge of two 600W HPS starting from the same timer.
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Is the 20 AMP service to my flower room insuffucient ?
- - -
My flower room has a dedicated 20AMP breaker, about 40 feet of grounded 12/2 Romex wiring, and 3 outlet boxes.
The main outlet has a 15AMP/1200W rated digital 2 plug timer. The 2 plugs power two HPS 600W bulbs and associated digital ballasts.
The second outlet has a 6 inch inline fan (Can Fan RS6HO) rated at max 138W, 1.15 AMP. It has a temperature sensor controller switching the inline fan on and off as needed. It also has a 12" oscilating fan on a stick to circulate air.
The third outlet powers a string of mini-christmas lights that I use as a task light. I sometimes use it for general power (shop vac, 216W trimming light.)
I use an extension cord for the oscilating fan. Otherwise, there are no power strips or extension cords.
That's it.
- - - -
I have been up and running for about 1.5 years. I recently had a ballast "in the shop" at a local store because it was flashing over voltage. The problem was diagnosed as a 1 year old HPS bulb asking for too much amperage. During the discussion I was told I should have my 600W HPS on seperate 20 amp circuits because they can draw much more that 600 watts during startup.
I have not had any electrical problems except for this ballast problem, which was resolved with the purchase of a new HPS bulb.
Before I built my veg room, I used to run an additional 432 watts (2x4 bulb T5 CFLs) off the main outlet box.
My digital ballasts have random staggered start delays to reduce the power surge of two 600W HPS starting from the same timer.
- - -
Is the 20 AMP service to my flower room insuffucient ?