Hello, this has to be one of the best videos I have seen describing an issue we amateurs face when installing receptacles or lights in a new garage or shed. Thank You so much, well done. Best Regards. 👍
Thank you!! Total electrical dummy but want to understand RV electricity and this video just “made the light bulbs come on” for me 😂 Really appreciate this!
Exactly the info I was looking for! Pairing this with the other video you put up about outlets on a circuit, this is just what I needed. Thank you for the info!
Good explanation. Also, for the hobbyists out there, keep in mind that these calculations are for a circuit with only light fixtures. If you put anything else on that circuit, you’ll need to subtract that load to see how many fixtures you can add.
You can only have 12 total devices if you're mixing lighting with receptacles. How do you subtract a load from a lighting circuit when you have no clue what will be plugged in there in the future. These calculations are for KNOWN lighting loads ONLY.
@@That90sShow I never specified that receptacles would be on that circuit-it could be anything that draws power. My point was making sure folks not familiar with electrical work understand that if you add other elements to the circuit, the calculations change. Your number of 12 is also arbitrary-that would depend on the circuit amperage, draw of the fixtures, whether you have open receptacles or fixed loads, etc.
I once lived in an older apartment that put EVERY light on one 20A breaker. Might have been needed when that wiring was done - but with my mix of LED and compact fluorescents, it was SEVERE overkill. I talked the owner/manager into adding a 15 amp duplex outlet to the circuit, as that place was WAY short on outlets.
Nice presentation . Simple and complete compared to what I learned back years ago . At that time when the instructor would illistrate the formula he would over complicate the calculations , doing too much math in the formula . Cheers 03/05/2022
Great! This is exactly what I need to know. Gonna be lighting up a basement and I don’t know how many lights I need or how many light to put on a circuit.
Great video, especially as it helps me understand how my 75 year old house was wired. One observation however - the word is "continuous," not as you have it, "continuos" (@3:45).
Yes it did, thank you. At 67, Me, forgetting things that I had once learned makes me dangerous or a procrastinator. Now, using your info, I can finish up the wiring that I have allowed to mushroom by unsureness and to finish my music/woodworking barn with confidence. Once and for all. If you have ever said that you hope that you've helped one person, I am that guy. 🤠
What happens in a series parallel circuit. (Some led light bars daisy chain in series.). I think I want to daisy chain 4 light pairs (in series), but set each pair in parallel.
This is a great example but these days many people are getting away from the old screw base fixtures because you can still find bulbs of 150 watts and more. (yes, still out there) If you install NON screw base fixtures they will likely be a specialty base that can't accept larger bulbs and will be under 20 watts draw each. IOW, you have the added benefit of no fire hazard due to wrong bulbs overheating. Still, the math works out and it really is that simple.
Solar lighting has major potential market out there. Imagine basement lighting. No more scary basements. We dont live with basement anymore, but our north facing kitchen/living room got me into solar LED lighting. Plus, I love our bathrooms well lit for long long hours. Bright bathroom looks very clean.
In the UK we use 230 volts. To answer your question in the UK we assumed total load and divide by 230 to get Amps , ie assume you want to install 12 lights on a 5Amp circuit with a 6amp MCB and the lamps are 100w each that would be 1200w divide by 230 = 5.2Amps , that’s the design current the circuit protection device should be equal to or greater than the design current. As you can’t get a 5.2Amp MCB You will need a 6amp MCB. This is international no matter what the nominal voltage is.
FYI Building Codes are public domain and can be accessed online from numerous legal libraries. Call your local building department and ask them what Code governs your jurisdiction, and look up the residential electrical code requirements for branch circuits, etc. FYI, adding new lights and receptacles is easy renovation work, but if it isn't done right and to your local Code requirements, you can burn down your home or even electrocute yourself. If you have zero experience, hire an Electrician.
We currently have a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok breaker panel that we're planning on having replaced. After it's replaced, I do want to separate some circuits. I also want to put all the overhead lights in our house on one 15 amp circuit. All our lights are LED and even if our lights were all 100 watts, they would still not exceed 15 amps.
If you're wiring a house from scratch that is one way you can do it but typically every light in a house is off of a outlet. The reasoning for this is to reduce the amount of wire that is needed to wire the entire house. At today's costs I would not want to wire out that way as 12/2 is about $150 for a 250ft roll now.
The electrical in the house I bought is a mess. My question is can I dedicate one circuit for each room? For instance my master bedroom has seven outlets and two ceiling light fixtures. Assuming the light fixtures were rated for 100 w each could I put all of this on one breaker?
Yes, thats how electrical contractors do it. One circuit for each room is the best practice. Just remember the kitchen, bathroom and garage lights and receptacles can't be mixed on one circuit.
We have a 15 amp breaker running from the house to a tool room, then by knob & tube overhead open wire to a carriage barn to a 2 car older garage to a large chicken coop/workshop. Along the way there are many lights, many outlets with multiple power strips, animal water de-icers, electric woodshop tools, and now outdoor blow up Christmas decorations requiring continuous running fans. Yeah...the 15 is tripping.
Daaaamn Sam!! I know your name isn't Sam It just ryhmes with damn and sounds cool... But nice video sir.Very informative and easy to comprehend. Of course the 15 amp circuit would be using 14/2 wire and the 20 amp circuit would be using 12/2 wire. Now if you're using led lights, you can probably use more lights per circuit because led's consume alot less power than incandescent lights right?
Can you substitute wattage fixture to 15 or 20 amp receptacles? Does this formula work the same to figure out how many receptacles you can use on a 15 or 20 amp circuit?
Hi, A ex-tenant angry by an home eviction, cut the power lines in the attic some of them tore to pieces is there any way to identify them or new wiring? If you made a video about it that would be great, thanks.
quick question thanks for explaining this method and now i have a better idea but what i am searching for is how can i check to see what receptacle outlets are in the same circuit breaker the reason is I don't want to blow a circuit breaker so i want to find 2 separate electrical circuits with ease which circuit breaker finder would you recommend for the purpose i need it for. Hopefully i made sense. One more example so if i am already plugged into a 15 or a 20amp receptacle outlet and i now need to plug another device that i know it takes a lot of juice like a fog machine and i decide to use another receptacle outlet thinking its on a different circuit breaker thats where i would use the Circuit breaker finder plugging a tester to the same receptacle outlet please help
Then...why do heaters seem to have a 1500w limit when I go look to buy one? I know they say don't put 2 on the same circuit (because that's going to trip the breaker every time), but even the 1500w is above the 80% limit mentioned.
That's a good question. Ideally these heaters should be used only on a 20 amp circuit, but many homes have 15 amp circuits in rooms where heaters are likely to be used. If nothing else is on the circuit you should be okay because you're barely above the 80% limit. I wouldn't leave one on when sleeping, though.
No. Some local municipalities have limits on the number of lights and receptacles on a residential circuit. In central Florida they had a limit of 12 points, a duplex receptacle being two points and a light being one point.
I love how simply you explained this! And in plain english. Thanks SO much!
Thanks
Perfect! Clear and to the point.
THANKS FOR SHARING. I’M STARTING MY ELECTRICAL JOURNEY AS A RETIREE AND THIS WAS HELPFUL.
Hello, this has to be one of the best videos I have seen describing an issue we amateurs face when installing receptacles or lights in a new garage or shed. Thank You so much, well done. Best Regards. 👍
Thank you!! Total electrical dummy but want to understand RV electricity and this video just “made the light bulbs come on” for me 😂 Really appreciate this!
Exactly the info I was looking for! Pairing this with the other video you put up about outlets on a circuit, this is just what I needed. Thank you for the info!
Good explanation. Also, for the hobbyists out there, keep in mind that these calculations are for a circuit with only light fixtures. If you put anything else on that circuit, you’ll need to subtract that load to see how many fixtures you can add.
You can only have 12 total devices if you're mixing lighting with receptacles. How do you subtract a load from a lighting circuit when you have no clue what will be plugged in there in the future. These calculations are for KNOWN lighting loads ONLY.
@@That90sShow I never specified that receptacles would be on that circuit-it could be anything that draws power. My point was making sure folks not familiar with electrical work understand that if you add other elements to the circuit, the calculations change. Your number of 12 is also arbitrary-that would depend on the circuit amperage, draw of the fixtures, whether you have open receptacles or fixed loads, etc.
This was very helpful, Thank you so much. Now I can plan my Christmas yard lights and know what I can run.
Thank you for conciseness and clarity. So easy to understand and no fluff.
I once lived in an older apartment that put EVERY light on one 20A breaker.
Might have been needed when that wiring was done - but with my mix of LED and compact fluorescents, it was SEVERE overkill.
I talked the owner/manager into adding a 15 amp duplex outlet to the circuit, as that place was WAY short on outlets.
agree with other posts--very well explained video--very well spoken and easy to listen and follow along. Thanks!!!
Nice presentation . Simple and complete compared to what I learned back years ago . At that time when the instructor would illistrate the formula he would over complicate the calculations , doing too much math in the formula .
Cheers 03/05/2022
Thank you for this video I've looked all over UA-cam and never could find out what I needed to know until I stumbled upon your video much appreciated.
Thanks glad to hear it helped.
Thank you, Sir.. Bevins, your video helped me a lot, Super interesting and informative, I appreciate it. Good day. From the Alamo SA, TX.
Informative video that everybody can use and was looking for
I have watched this video at least 15 times thanks again and again.
Great! This is exactly what I need to know. Gonna be lighting up a basement and I don’t know how many lights I need or how many light to put on a circuit.
I use 250 watt infrared bulbs for therapy. You answered my question. Thanks
Great video, especially as it helps me understand how my 75 year old house was wired. One observation however - the word is "continuous," not as you have it, "continuos" (@3:45).
Excellent video! Thanks for your thorough explanation.
Thank you! Awesome explanation, clear and full of great formulas!
Yes it did, thank you. At 67, Me, forgetting things that I had once learned makes me dangerous or a procrastinator. Now, using your info, I can finish up the wiring that I have allowed to mushroom by unsureness and to finish my music/woodworking barn with confidence. Once and for all. If you have ever said that you hope that you've helped one person, I am that guy. 🤠
What about the number of outlets where you don’t know what will be plugged in and/or how many outlets will be in use at any given time
Absolutely perfect explanation. Short informative. Thank you!
Thank you for a clear and precise explanation !!
Nice job, simple to the point
Thank you!!!!! channel has really helped me do my fuzzy math!!!
Super straightforward! Thank you
Thanks this is so helpful, and understandable 👍🏻
Excellent presentation with even better explanation. Great job 👏
Thanks
Thank you! I love the way you explained it.
UK, we allow 100w per outlet. Lighting is on 6amp 230v circuit. Standard house split on 2 circuits. Older houses 1 circuit on 5amp rewire fuse.
bless your soul, this was clear and informative.
Great video. Quick and to the point
Great explanation!!! Very clear, definitely helpful as I’m adding lights to my house, is good information to have, thank you!!
This is a great info. Thank you.
Great video and well explained
Great video and explanation!!! Thank you sir
Awesome, thanks you taught me a lot in this video
What happens in a series parallel circuit. (Some led light bars daisy chain in series.). I think I want to daisy chain 4 light pairs (in series), but set each pair in parallel.
Thank you so much! Straight to the point
Thanks love these explanations. Perfect
Thank You very much, I liked Your presentation, I subscribed too.
Thank you!!
That was very helpful information 👍
Exactly what I was looking for, thanks
Thanks great breakdown!
Thanks, great video...😮
GOOD REVIEW.. THANKS!!!
Thanks for making it simple and understandable
Thanks for watching :)
Dude..... Bravo!!
Thank you so much! Wow with LED lights I can multiple that by X5! Lol
Almos 10x
LED lights have drivers and use more power than the light rating btw
This is way above my skill level as a do it yourselfer, but its very interesting how electricians figure it out.
This is a great example but these days many people are getting away from the old screw base fixtures because you can still find bulbs of 150 watts and more. (yes, still out there) If you install NON screw base fixtures they will likely be a specialty base that can't accept larger bulbs and will be under 20 watts draw each. IOW, you have the added benefit of no fire hazard due to wrong bulbs overheating. Still, the math works out and it really is that simple.
Solar lighting has major potential market out there. Imagine basement lighting. No more scary basements. We dont live with basement anymore, but our north facing kitchen/living room got me into solar LED lighting. Plus, I love our bathrooms well lit for long long hours. Bright bathroom looks very clean.
@@marktan3668 ... solar has it's place, but completely off topic for the question.
In the UK we use 230 volts. To answer your question in the UK we assumed total load and divide by 230 to get Amps , ie assume you want to install 12 lights on a 5Amp circuit with a 6amp MCB and the lamps are 100w each that would be 1200w divide by 230 = 5.2Amps , that’s the design current the circuit protection device should be equal to or greater than the design current.
As you can’t get a 5.2Amp MCB
You will need a 6amp MCB.
This is international no matter what the nominal voltage is.
FYI Building Codes are public domain and can be accessed online from numerous legal libraries. Call your local building department and ask them what Code governs your jurisdiction, and look up the residential electrical code requirements for branch circuits, etc. FYI, adding new lights and receptacles is easy renovation work, but if it isn't done right and to your local Code requirements, you can burn down your home or even electrocute yourself. If you have zero experience, hire an Electrician.
BTW, I'm a former Journeyman Carpenter turned Architect in CA.
Very Very informative.
Great video, thank you so much.
We currently have a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok breaker panel that we're planning on having replaced. After it's replaced, I do want to separate some circuits. I also want to put all the overhead lights in our house on one 15 amp circuit. All our lights are LED and even if our lights were all 100 watts, they would still not exceed 15 amps.
If you're wiring a house from scratch that is one way you can do it but typically every light in a house is off of a outlet. The reasoning for this is to reduce the amount of wire that is needed to wire the entire house. At today's costs I would not want to wire out that way as 12/2 is about $150 for a 250ft roll now.
fastest ive ever learned anything! thanks
Excellent explanation 🎉
Thank you🙏you’re the best
Awesome stuff!
Thank you for this.
thank you for share this information
Great video and great explanation 👍
Good Content,GreatTips😀👍🏿
Are junction boxes still used to wire bedroom outlets with access from the basement?
Thank you for the knowledge
Very well explained
Thank you so much for this video 😊
Thanks for watching
Thank you that was helpful! Go Astros
All of my lights are connected in series (ohm my goodness). Cheers!
Very good!
The electrical in the house I bought is a mess. My question is can I dedicate one circuit for each room?
For instance my master bedroom has seven outlets and two ceiling light fixtures. Assuming the light fixtures were rated for 100 w each could I put all of this on one breaker?
Yes, thats how electrical contractors do it. One circuit for each room is the best practice. Just remember the kitchen, bathroom and garage lights and receptacles can't be mixed on one circuit.
Thanks for a info
Will this process still work for DC? I have ac/dc inverter that’s 12v 5amps 60w and I’m trying to see how many 5w 2 amp led lamps I can use.
What about one with both lights and receptacles? Thank you for putting these together they are very helpful
12 devices only if your mixing
Love the videos 💪🏿
What if there are outlets on the same circuit?
Thank you big brother 🤲
Outstanding!
We have a 15 amp breaker running from the house to a tool room, then by knob & tube overhead open wire to a carriage barn to a 2 car older garage to a large chicken coop/workshop. Along the way there are many lights, many outlets with multiple power strips, animal water de-icers, electric woodshop tools, and now outdoor blow up Christmas decorations requiring continuous running fans. Yeah...the 15 is tripping.
Luxx 645 led how many would I be able to put on a 15 amp ? I’m confuse & curious
If using 645 watt lights thats 5.4 amps per light so a maximum of 2 on a 15 amp circuit
Ty. For your help
Thank you👍
Daaaamn Sam!! I know your name isn't Sam It just ryhmes with damn and sounds cool... But nice video sir.Very informative and easy to comprehend. Of course the 15 amp circuit would be using 14/2 wire and the 20 amp circuit would be using 12/2 wire. Now if you're using led lights, you can probably use more lights per circuit because led's consume alot less power than incandescent lights right?
:)
Well presented.
Thanks
Thanks a lot!
Can you substitute wattage fixture to 15 or 20 amp receptacles? Does this formula work the same to figure out how many receptacles you can use on a 15 or 20 amp circuit?
Well How TF do you plan on calculation receptacle loads? Use your head
Ty for the info
Easy! Thanks
Thank you!
Hi, A ex-tenant angry by an home eviction, cut the power lines in the attic some of them tore to pieces is there any way to identify them or new wiring? If you made a video about it that would be great, thanks.
What if I were using 1.21 gigawatt bulbs?
quick question thanks for explaining this method and now i have a better idea but what i am searching for is how can i check to see what receptacle outlets are in the same circuit breaker the reason is I don't want to blow a circuit breaker so i want to find 2 separate electrical circuits with ease which circuit breaker finder would you recommend for the purpose i need it for. Hopefully i made sense. One more example so if i am already plugged into a 15 or a 20amp receptacle outlet and i now need to plug another device that i know it takes a lot of juice like a fog machine and i decide to use another receptacle outlet thinking its on a different circuit breaker thats where i would use the Circuit breaker finder plugging a tester to the same receptacle outlet please help
Call an electrician and quit being a cheap bum
Just use the other receptacle
Then...why do heaters seem to have a 1500w limit when I go look to buy one? I know they say don't put 2 on the same circuit (because that's going to trip the breaker every time), but even the 1500w is above the 80% limit mentioned.
That's a good question. Ideally these heaters should be used only on a 20 amp circuit, but many homes have 15 amp circuits in rooms where heaters are likely to be used. If nothing else is on the circuit you should be okay because you're barely above the 80% limit. I wouldn't leave one on when sleeping, though.
Doesn't the NEC also limit the number of fixtures on any one circuit to a maximum of 12???
No. Some local municipalities have limits on the number of lights and receptacles on a residential circuit. In central Florida they had a limit of 12 points, a duplex receptacle being two points and a light being one point.
Thanks for the clarification @@JeffBanfield-t6v
I'm sure I regularly see 6,000 Christmas lights in every yard hooked up to one 15 amp outlet.
Are LED lights calculated in the manner?
Yes
Excellent!
Does it matter how many light switches you put in one circuit?