120/240V circuit breakers...

[wesley90]

I have been reading thru various electricity related threads and it seems people either have 120V OR 240V breakers...My home is mostly 15 amp 120/240V breakers, which allows any voltage between 120 and 240V from what I have read. If I were to use a ballast that is 120/240V, does that mean I could calculate the amperage load at 240V?

Thanks.

 

[Carolina Dream'n]

No. Your 15 amp circuits are 110v. Not 220v.

 

[chuck estevez]

I have been reading thru various electricity related threads and it seems people either have 120V OR 240V breakers...My home is mostly 15 amp 120/240V breakers, which allows any voltage between 120 and 240V from what I have read. If I were to use a ballast that is 120/240V, does that mean I could calculate the amperage load at 240V?

Thanks.

the amperage used is relative to the volts you're using. If you are running a ballast on 240v it will use say 4 amps, running on 120 volts it will run on 8 amps.
your house is wired mostly for 120 volts except for maybe your dryer and stove. In order for you to run your ballast on the 240 volt, you would have to run 240 volts to a place to plug it in.
When the ballast say 120/240 volt, it means it can run on either voltage,most digital ballasts know which one you plugged it into.

 

[wesley90]

the amperage used is relative to the volts you're using. If you are running a ballast on 240v it will use say 4 amps, running on 120 volts it will run on 8 amps.
your house is wired mostly for 120 volts except for maybe your dryer and stove. In order for you to run your ballast on the 240 volt, you would have to run 240 volts to a place to plug it in.
When the ballast say 120/240 volt, it means it can run on either voltage,most digital ballasts know which one you plugged it into.

Yeah I understand it is relative to what is being utilized, but I am trying to figure out if the breaker will utilize 240V since it is a 120/240V breaker.

 

[wesley90]

the amperage used is relative to the volts you're using. If you are running a ballast on 240v it will use say 4 amps, running on 120 volts it will run on 8 amps.
your house is wired mostly for 120 volts except for maybe your dryer and stove. In order for you to run your ballast on the 240 volt, you would have to run 240 volts to a place to plug it in.
When the ballast say 120/240 volt, it means it can run on either voltage,most digital ballasts know which one you plugged it into.

Here is what they look like:

 

[genuity]

That means 120 single, and 240 when connected /bridged with another(120-120=240)

 

[wesley90]

That means 120 single, and 240 when connected /bridged with another(120-120=240)

OK I see, now I do have some 20 and 30 amp breakers that have 2 handles or whatever connected...I guess its called "2" poles...those would draw at 240V then?

 

[wesley90]

Here is the 2 poles

 

[genuity]

OK I see, now I do have some 20 and 30 amp breakers that have 2 handles or whatever connected...I guess its called "2" poles...those would draw at 240V then?

Yup,and the 30 amp should be your dryer...

I just went and installed this 30 amp light controller, plugs right in to the existing dryer plug

 

[wesley90]

Another thing, the main breaker says it's 200 amps but I count way more than that in the amount of breakers...any ideas?

 

[wesley90]

Now I also have this subpanel...I believe the 20 amp is for the dryer

 

[wesley90]

Basically I am just trying to figure out what outlets go to what and what I can safely load on the breakers...eventually I would like to be up to 3 750 watt HPS, 1 400 watt HPS, and a couple floros for a SOG.
I am really tempted to just hire an electrician because I know nothing about electricity and don't want to burn the building to the ground =)

 

[genuity]

Basically I am just trying to figure out what outlets go to what and what I can safely load on the breakers...eventually I would like to be up to 3 750 watt HPS, 1 400 watt HPS, and a couple floros for a SOG.
I am really tempted to just hire an electrician because I know nothing about electricity and don't want to burn the building to the ground =)

That would be best, ma I e sure he or she names all the breakers..

 

[wesley90]

If my calculations are correct, a 750 watt lamp @ 120V = 6.25 amps...lets say I run off the 15 amps *80% = 12amps...so I really should only use 1 750 watt light per breaker.

 

[Hoare]

swap a couple of those single breakers that aren't being used for another 240v 60amp double and take it to a subpanel.

 

[wesley90]

That would be best, ma I e sure he or she names all the breakers..

Now the 20 amp breaker is not in use at all...I could easily get 2 750 watt lights off of that plug...any input on the use of extension cords on that 20 amp outlet? The plug itself is too far away and I would need to use an extension cord as well as find a way to run 2 outlets on the cord for the 2 lights.

 

[wesley90]

swap a couple of those single breakers that aren't being used for another 240v 60amp double and take it to a subpanel.

All of those have faded writing on the labels, I believe they are all in use somehow...I also wouldn't have any idea as to how to run the wire to the subpanel.

 

[genuity]

You really don't want to use cords,get the electric guy/gal to put a few 15amp plugs in your room..

 

[Hoare]

All of those have faded writing on the labels, I believe they are all in use somehow...I also wouldn't have any idea as to how to run the wire to the subpanel.

well you don't want to run 240v extension cords and the HPS lights draw too many amps @ 120V IMHO.
time to call an electrician then

 

[wesley90]

You really don't want to use cords,get the electric guy/gal to put a few 15amp plugs in your room..

Oh there already are, there is about 4 outlets per 15 amp breaker...when I say the 20 amp plug is too far away I am only talking about 10 feet too far...