Hi all,
I thought I would post this here. I wrote this post for a journal entry about LEDs and how they are 'safer' than HID for fire hazards (which isn't a correct statement BTW, it's all about the details...).
From the journal entry "The unmentioned benefit of LEDs... " ( https://www.icmag.com/modules/Journal/viewentry.php?journalid=909 )
I thought I would post this here. I wrote this post for a journal entry about LEDs and how they are 'safer' than HID for fire hazards (which isn't a correct statement BTW, it's all about the details...).
From the journal entry "The unmentioned benefit of LEDs... " ( https://www.icmag.com/modules/Journal/viewentry.php?journalid=909 )
Skyver wrote:
So Spurr, would you recommend using flouros instead? I mean as in for safety over HPS when on holiday?
Spurr wrote:
I would suggest sound electrical safety procedures with HID while on vacation. The same suggestion applies for HID and LED, because if LED cooling fans fail LEDs can catch fire too. The issue with fires is equipment failure and circuit overloads, not just with HID...
Ex. use a high temp shutoff relay for the HID or LED, heavy gauge surge protectors, proper (grounded) wiring set to at least 15 amp breaker (20 amp is better), and *do not* max-out or overload the circuit! Use heavy gauge, and as short as possible, extension cords; and *only* use UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed products and HID ballasts (if possible). Also, *only* use "GFCI" outlets for HID, replace any other outlet, even the normal non-GFCI grounded outlets.
Having one circuit per HID is a good idea, ex., a 20 amp circuit just for a 1,000 watt, or two 600watt, etc. Then put other electrical equipment on a different circuit.
Make sure to *not* exceed 80% of the max amperage load for the circuit breaker.
To find out how much electricity will be used by an HID do the following, this will allow a grower to know if they are maxing-out, or overloading the circuit:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/fire/outlet-overload.htm
I follow those rules like they were the golden rule, and I have never had issues. YMMV. Good luck and stay safe!"So how do you find out how much [electricity on a single circuit] is too much? Actually, it's pretty easy. To determine how much electricity you're using with all of those holiday decorations, you just need to do a little math. The formula looks like this:
p/e=i (wattage divided by volts equals amps)
Say you're using 2,000 watts of power with your holiday lights and other decorations. You divide that number by the volts in your house (usually 120) and you come up with 16.6 amps of current that you're using. With a 20 amp electrical outlet, you're using around 80 percent of the available current, which is the most you should be using per circuit."