12x12 Buildout

[RomulusUSA]

My buildout is under way and I'd love some pointers on wiring/capacity. I'm planning on starting off with a 1k and 495w for veg, and an ac/co2/dehumidifier, but I want to wire it to handle a bit more equipment: 4200w total, 3x1k's plus 1200ish for veg.

What would you guys suggest wiring wise, for a run from the box totaling about 35-40ft at the longest/far corner of room from panel.

All input greatly appreciated. I'll post up some more thoughts and a diagram once I'm home from work.

Romulus

 

[dansbuds]

A 60amp sub panel would take care of your needs now & the future .




growem green & stay safe ....Dans

 

[Scottish Research]

Hey, RomulusUSA

Sounds awesome! I have a big room like yours. I added 4 - 20 amp breakers in the main box and was able to route the cable into the room without tearing the place apart.

If your are running 120volts then I would count on 20 amps per 1000watts; of course you can get by on less... but I feel that 15 amps is just not enough.

If you go 240 volts then you are effectively doubling your available power.

I know that there are some very interesting sub-panel boxes out there. Just do some more research; the best way to learn.

Good luck!

R. Fortune

 

[RomulusUSA]

While a subpanel sounds ideal, it just postpones putting holes in drywall. It'd be easier to run it all now, even if some wiring is never used..

 

[dansbuds]

Then buy yourself some 12/3 romex or bx whatever your state/country requires & run 3 seperate lines to your room . put each 3 wire line into a seperate outlet box for each line . this will give you 2 120volt circuts in each box . put 2 outlets in the box (quad outlets ) a seperate feed to each one & you'll now have 6 20 amp circuts in your room . make sure you have enough room in the panel for 6 circuts or run as many as you have available .

i hope you have some elecrtical knowledge & understand this ....if not i'll find you a diagram .

good luck dude ...you'll get it figured out .

growem green & stay safe ....Dans

 

[RomulusUSA]

WOW, thank you Captain Obvious, in a good way! I can't believe I didn't think of running 2 circuits per 12/3. I know its possible but never thought of actually doing it. Problem solved. I have a ton of space 20amp 120v single pole breakers also, and tandem (not that I need to conserve space, but bang-for-buck factor) ones aren't too spendy either. You solved a bunch of my problems right there, thank you sir!!

Got 3 walls insulated tonight and a couple boards of OSB hung on the outside. Going to use bare sheetrock and caulk on the inside. Hopefully the front wall will be installed tomorrow night, door frame, and some sheeting on the walls. And now that the wiring has been solved, that too. Thanks again Dansbuds!

 

[dansbuds]

no problemo dude .... good luck . sounds like you have some electrical knowledge so you'll be fine but if you have any questions ... just ask .


growem green & stay safe ...Dans

 

[Catchin1]

let me ask

let me ask

let me ask you this? Does your family sleep where you are growing? Your children? Just wondering because taking electrical advice from some crackpot (no offense) but I have not heard a qualified answer as of yet EXCEPT adding a sub panel........now why would doing that postpone putting holes in drywall? I would think you would just as many hole running the feeder as you would a few circuits..and now to the few circuits.......now you said to run the 12/3 circuits. Now that is fine and dandy most times, but what you have here is a potential for a problem..........if he went digital he "could" have nuisance tripping at the breaker due to frequency's and sharing a neutral. If he went with GFI protection, he would have a problem sharing the neutral between the GFI's.
Run the sub panel feeder over and set your sub panel at whatever amp you want to service your needs and future needs. Come out of the sub with your circuits, you can protect them at the breaker or with a device in a box or afford no protection, your choice.

CrackPot out:

 

[RomulusUSA]

Why are you so against multi branch circuits? It's NEC approved as long as one uses one poll breakers which of course I will run. I'd love more input. I want to do this in a safe manner, and I fail to see how a multibranch circuit is unsafe, but please do explain!

 

[Catchin1]

well

well

well you are wrong..the NEC does not permit it any longer. The use of three wire for 12 gauge and 14 gauge has been approved for switching and NOT home runs due to the fact of the use of AFCI and GFCI breakers. Now you can do what you want, but if you want it done right then follow my advice. There is no question to be asked or answered it is just the answer. I have been a master electrician since 2002 and a journeyman before that since 1995. Code changes rules and exceptions change. The way electricity works does not.
I explained above why it will not work with gfci and afci protected circuitry.