How to wire multiple CFLs

[SquekyTuba]

I had this question and the answer i got was from another person that did not know how to do this. He told me he buys multiple power strips and plugs them in there. I have 20 CFLs and i need some help.If someone would please chime in here and clear things up thatd be great. Thanks

 

[elgwedoloco]

Subscrubed. I was just doing a search for this.

 

[killerweed31]

hope i understand the problem and i can help you ...
These two diagrams illustrate how you can connect the lamps in series, i do the same in my cab, i do the 2° diagram because are the best ..why? if one cfl broke the other continus work but in the 1° diagram if only one stop work also the other stop...is very simple connect, in the1° you just make a bridge with the 2 cable between every lamp , the 2° every lamp is connect to the main cable and if one stop work the other continus work...sorry for my bad english man..

 

[Pompey_Monkey]

hope i understand the problem and i can help you ...
These two diagrams illustrate how you can connect the lamps in series, i do the same in my cab, i do the 2° diagram because are the best ..why? if one cfl broke the other continus work but in the 1° diagram if only one stop work also the other stop...is very simple connect, in the1° you just make a bridge with the 2 cable between every lamp , the 2° every lamp is connect to the main cable and if one stop work the other continus work...sorry for my bad english man..

#1 and #2 are electrically identical, apart from the number of lamps shown, they both illustrate parallel circuits. I do not see how they function differently.

This is, however, the correct method for wiring multiple lamps. Just make sure that the cable used is rated high enough to take the sum total load of all the bulbs that you will be using:

e.g. 20 x 23W = 430W. This is about 4 amps on a 110V supply and a bit less than 2 amps on a 230V supply.

 

[killerweed31]

#1 and #2 are electrically identical, apart from the number of lamps shown, they both illustrate parallel circuits. I do not see how they function differently.

This is, however, the correct method for wiring multiple lamps. Just make sure that the cable used is rated high enough to take the sum total load of all the bulbs that you will be using:

e.g. 20 x 23W = 430W. This is about 4 amps on a 110V supply and a bit less than 2 amps on a 230V supply.

the difference between the first and the second metod is as follows:
1° metod is called serial connection and all users are crossed by the same current, the voltage sharing across all users. 2°metod is called parallel linkage and voltage is the same for all users, each user absorbs its current ..

the question is: 20 cfl in series consumption less but make less light, 20 cfl in parallel consumption more but they make also more light

just my2cent bro!!

 

[FreezerBoy]

Series wiring should be avoided in favor of parallel. In series wiring, one lamp burns out, everything goes dark. With parallel, one lamp burns out, all others stay lit.

 

[SquekyTuba]

the difference between the first and the second metod is as follows:
1° metod is called serial connection and all users are crossed by the same current, the voltage sharing across all users. 2°metod is called parallel linkage and voltage is the same for all users, each user absorbs its current ..

the question is: 20 cfl in series consumption less but make less light, 20 cfl in parallel consumption more but they make also more light

just my2cent bro!!

Thanks i just realized i learned all this in physics class... maybe i should have paid more attention and i know how to wire with a lamp cord but not with a heavy duty cord. I do not think a normal lamp cord would suffice the voltage running through. I got this passage on a how to splice an extension cord...

"Remove the insulation from the inner cords exposing the copper wires. You want about 1 inch of copper showing. Take the two halves of the extension cord and join the corresponding wires together, black to black, white to white, green to green. Do this by twisting the copper wires together."

In extension cords there are 3 wires and i do not know how to wire when there is three. I am used to the lamp cord with 2 cords. SO my question is where do all three of these cords go in relation to the light bulb socket. Thanks​

​

 

[Bud-Boy]

I bought screw on mogules from OSH.
Has the light bulb end on one side and has a screw piece on what would be the top. Unscrew and underneath are 2 prongs. Set lamp cord into the groove and twist the cap back on. Add up all the amps for the run and dont exceede your circut

Works great for keeping early planted trees to not flower this time of year

 

[Bud-Boy]

Cant find a picture of it. Ill be there later, Ill take a pic. They aren't terminating ends. You can continue on down a length of conduit after attaching one. Makes a string of lights

 

[Bud-Boy]

Here it is

Socket

 

[kayaN0W]

Ur friends prolly doin sumthin like this possibly....



got those cfls screwed into the lil adaptors u can get that have a plug-in at the other end...then just line ur power strip wit em

 

[SquekyTuba]

I know how to normally connect a lamp cord to a socket but would 420 watts be too much for a lamp cord?

 

[StealthDragon]

it depends on the gauge of the wire: (from Growroom Electricity and Wiring )

Most wires have the gauge/awg printed on them. The size of lamp cord you have might not be on the chart..but I think you get the idea.

I personally wouldn't run over 200 watts of cfl, but if I did I would use multi-socket bathroom fixtures instead of wiring up that many individual cleats (sockets). Also the powerstrip with plug-in adapters that kaya posted is also a good idea.

 

[SquekyTuba]

With the plug ins would i be able to run a timer?

 

[FreezerBoy]

In extension cords there are 3 wires and i do not know how to wire when there is three.

Black is +/hot/live. White is -/neutral/comm. If your sockets screws are of different colors, black to brass, white to silver.

Green is "ground" and is not a part of the electrical circuit. Green connects the metal housings so any stray electricity goes literally into the ground outside your home instead of your body.

 

[SquekyTuba]

Ok thank you FreezerBoy that answers my question. I didn't know that the green was the ground.Also could you look at my thread cheap deodorizer. Its an idea i had im not sure if it would work. Thanks a lot

 

[kayaN0W]

With the plug ins would i be able to run a timer?

Ya, get however many strips you need and have all of them going into 1 Main strip, and that will be the strip that actually goes into the timer.

 

[Pompey_Monkey]

1° metod is called serial connection

I did wonder if that was what you were trying to show, but that's not what's shown in your diagram.

Anyway, that's beside the point now. CFLs should be wired in parallel.

They are not simple lamps and will not work in series on a standard mains supply due to insufficient voltage across each one. You shouldn't even have suggested it as an option.

 

[StealthDragon]

actually both of killerweed31's pics look like parallel ..but yeh, cfl's should not be wired in series. and if one burns out it won't disrupt the "chain"...they're not xmas lights

 

[killerweed31]

I did wonder if that was what you were trying to show, but that's not what's shown in your diagram.

Anyway, that's beside the point now. CFLs should be wired in parallel.

They are not simple lamps and will not work in series on a standard mains supply due to insufficient voltage across each one. You shouldn't even have suggested it as an option.

actually both of killerweed31's pics look like parallel ..but yeh, cfl's should not be wired in series. and if one burns out it won't disrupt the "chain"...they're not xmas lights

.."maybe you think".. is a xmas lamp...

ok guy..i'm sorry if i post wrong diagrams , i just make fast and not clean and original diagram like freezerboy post ,but i just want help the squekytuba to understand how can make multiple cfl , i agree 100% with freezerboy guy don't hate me...i have multiple cfl in my cab myself made and work very nice...
sure squekytuba better for you follow the freezerboy diagram 6.7 fig. or kayaNOW that show very simple just buy cfl screwed and in lil adaptors ...