What Gauge Wire for a 1000 watt?
- Thread starter pftek
- Start date
get the biggest gauge extension cord you can get, or make your own. can you run an actual plug? i have never run lights off of an extension cord, but i made the mistake of leaving a heater on one and the cord burnt up after a day or two. so might wanna see if you can run a dedicated line instead. good luck dude, let us know how it goes.
aod
aod
Apicalmeristem
Member
You could get away with 14 gauge but I personally would go with 12 gauge wire. Why not run a plug in some flex and put it on the wall in your room, that way your never tripping over it or spilling water on it
You do that and you'll most likely need a flame defender too.
Electrician
Active member
The minimum wire size per 20amp circuit is #12. However for these applications we always derate our wire size 1 size. I.E
20AMP #10
30AMP #8
40AMP #6 ETC.
20AMP #10
30AMP #8
40AMP #6 ETC.
Electrician
Active member
14 GAUGE IS ONLY RATED FOR 15AMPS. 14 GAUGE SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED INTO ANYONES GROW, EVER!
I see fire in the dudes future. I mean he is asking about running a 1kw light off of a 50 foot extension cord. All righty then!
To the OP, DO NOT USE AND EXTENSION CORD!!! Purchase the correct size wire and run from the panel to an outlet.
I
Iron_Lion
#12 minimum, #10 should be used if you are going to run a 50' extension cord. Buy some 10/3 SJO cord at home depot and put cord ends on it, you'll save a fortune.
Apicalmeristem
Member
I must have read the post wrong but i thought it said the circuits were 15 amp, Woops .Guess I looked to quickly at the question. After rereading it I realize the OP is saying he has both 15 and 20 amp circuits available not that he was using a 15 amp circuit. Then yes electrician is correct 12awg is standard and 10awg is preferred in this particular application
its simple bro i had to slap together sumthin similar fast.. all ya do is dedicate the 20amp citcuit with 12 wire prob already wired to ur light and fan used to cool ur lights and runn ur other shit shich shouldnt be much for ur application on the 15amp circuit... dont go pluggin acs and dehumidifiers chillers in nowherebut ur reg fans and pumps if hydro and echaust fan can chill on the 15 amp circuit... and then do it right and run ur wires... try not to use extension cords make ur own and hardwire it in a boz to a box with a input... extension cords even heavy duty arent really made to carry ma load 24/7... get ur ass some wirenutz boxes tape and wire... u can use 1500w safely approx with 20 amp but i wouldnt push that its 80% but since its a grow dont push it... use both circuits and killit,
And 1000 watts is only 8.3 amps.
What's your point?
In reality, a 16 gauge cord, (rated for 13 amps), would work just fine.
Aa 14ga is overkill, but not unreasonable.
A 12ga cord is just foolishess.
Lots of really strong opinions, huh?
It's always preferable to have an adequate power source that doesn't require extension cords. OTOH, even though it's inadvisable, people use extension cords all the time w/ varying degrees of success. Where possible, code rated wiring is the best answer.
Heavy continuous loads like a 1000w lamp stress electrical systems a lot more than intermittent loads like a saw or a drill. Any loose connection heats up & is a potential fire hazard. Inadequate cord gauge can do the same & will deliver low voltage to the ballast, particularly at 50'.
Standard plug in wall timers are also inadequate being heavily de-rated for inductive & capacitive loads, usually expressed as HP. 1 HP is 746w. People use 'em all the time, anyway, then bitch about how they won't last or about how it melted, caught on fire, whatever.
If I were going to do what the OP suggests I'd use a 14ga cord, cut it at the appropriate place to wire in an Intermatic T101 timer. I'd be very sure of a tight fit at the wall receptacle & good cord routing, as well. Notice that the T101 is rated for 2 HP, 1492w.
Use these or similar where the cords enter the timer box-
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Halex-1-...-Strain-Relief-Cord-Connector-27693/202077093
12ga cord is overkill but would work just fine.
It's always preferable to have an adequate power source that doesn't require extension cords. OTOH, even though it's inadvisable, people use extension cords all the time w/ varying degrees of success. Where possible, code rated wiring is the best answer.
Heavy continuous loads like a 1000w lamp stress electrical systems a lot more than intermittent loads like a saw or a drill. Any loose connection heats up & is a potential fire hazard. Inadequate cord gauge can do the same & will deliver low voltage to the ballast, particularly at 50'.
Standard plug in wall timers are also inadequate being heavily de-rated for inductive & capacitive loads, usually expressed as HP. 1 HP is 746w. People use 'em all the time, anyway, then bitch about how they won't last or about how it melted, caught on fire, whatever.
If I were going to do what the OP suggests I'd use a 14ga cord, cut it at the appropriate place to wire in an Intermatic T101 timer. I'd be very sure of a tight fit at the wall receptacle & good cord routing, as well. Notice that the T101 is rated for 2 HP, 1492w.
Use these or similar where the cords enter the timer box-
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Halex-1-...-Strain-Relief-Cord-Connector-27693/202077093
12ga cord is overkill but would work just fine.
Go 12ga, 50 ft is a long run and as noted a smaller Ga can get hot towards the end of your run,, As far as 12 ga being foolish, that statement is ignorant.
Have you heard anybody ever say the fire started because he spent the extra $$ to be safe.
Problems happen when people cut corners or are being cheap asses....
Have you heard anybody ever say the fire started because he spent the extra $$ to be safe.
Problems happen when people cut corners or are being cheap asses....
