Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board  

Go Back   Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board > General > Product Review and Equipment Forum > Lighting Specific

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-27-2011, 12:47 AM
Skimmerking's Avatar
Skimmerking Skimmerking is online now
acanthastrea freak
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Virden, Manitoba
Posts: 5,689
Skimmerking is on a distinguished road
Send a message via ICQ to Skimmerking Send a message via MSN to Skimmerking
Default calling all electricans

ok here is what Im looking at my in wall plugs are on a 15 amp circuit can I take out the 15 amp and install a 20 amp breaker. cause I have 2x 250's and a 1x 400 MH on one plug so if I have the TV on I think that its tripping the breaker so can I up the breaker to a 20 amp.
__________________
180 starfire front, LPS, millipora
Doesn't matter how much you have been reading until you take the plunge.
You don't know as much as you think.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-27-2011, 01:08 AM
Buzz Buzz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Redcliff
Posts: 68
Buzz is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skimmer King View Post
ok here is what Im looking at my in wall plugs are on a 15 amp circuit can I take out the 15 amp and install a 20 amp breaker. cause I have 2x 250's and a 1x 400 MH on one plug so if I have the TV on I think that its tripping the breaker so can I up the breaker to a 20 amp.
What size wire?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-27-2011, 01:12 AM
Skimmerking's Avatar
Skimmerking Skimmerking is online now
acanthastrea freak
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Virden, Manitoba
Posts: 5,689
Skimmerking is on a distinguished road
Send a message via ICQ to Skimmerking Send a message via MSN to Skimmerking
Default

its white 14/2 i think that is what it says
__________________
180 starfire front, LPS, millipora
Doesn't matter how much you have been reading until you take the plunge.
You don't know as much as you think.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-27-2011, 01:16 AM
Buzz Buzz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Redcliff
Posts: 68
Buzz is on a distinguished road
Default

12/2 is needed for a 20 amp breaker.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-27-2011, 01:22 AM
Buzz Buzz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Redcliff
Posts: 68
Buzz is on a distinguished road
Default

I guess I should also say I'm not and electrician. But the I just finished wiring my garage and I used 12/2 wire so I could run 20A breakers for welders and other power tools. I read the local code book and it said 12/2 is the minimum wire size for a 20A breaker.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-27-2011, 01:25 AM
cwatkins's Avatar
cwatkins cwatkins is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Cloverdale, BC
Posts: 352
cwatkins is on a distinguished road
Default

I would look at running a dedicated GFCI circuit from your panel. (Either GFCI at the outlet or at the breaker). 15 or 20amp, whichever you prefer. You'll get 12 amps from a 15 circuit. That's more than enough for your lighting.
__________________
Tank Journal Thread
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-27-2011, 01:17 AM
frizzo1983 frizzo1983 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 92
frizzo1983 is on a distinguished road
Default

No you can not do what you are thinking first of all a 15 amp breaker is only rated for 80 % of 15 amps this is a code rule. Second the wire will not support you running a 20 amp circuit. If I were you you should bring a new circuit to where you need it. Just my honest opinion.

If you have any other questions just pm me

Scott
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-27-2011, 01:17 AM
BlueTang<3's Avatar
BlueTang<3 BlueTang<3 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Stony Plain, Alberta
Posts: 1,641
BlueTang<3 is on a distinguished road
Default

Just replace the current breaker with what you have the breaker fatigues and the metalic strip becomes weak after time you'll be set. I was having the same issue a whie back. For a 20 amp breaker you need 12 gauge wire i recall.
__________________
360 gallon sps reef, 180 gal sump, bubble king supermarine 300, 4xmp40Wes, 2 x 6215 tunze waveboxes, 4 ghl mitras



360 Reef Tank
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-27-2011, 06:03 PM
donlite donlite is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 49
donlite is on a distinguished road
Default amps

2 points First is you need to know the gauge of wire in your wall and second you should only run a breaker at about %80 of rate. If you use a larger breaker and the wire is not rated for it you are looking for trouble.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-27-2011, 06:19 PM
blacknife's Avatar
blacknife blacknife is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Leduc
Posts: 475
blacknife is on a distinguished road
Default

all good points. I am about to run some temporary runs to my fish tank area< i need to build walls before i do permanent runs> but i must be on the right path because i was planing to do it about the way you guys are saying
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 07:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.