Safety First Electrical Question

The questions that I have to ask are for safety reason so I can sleep at night ... I am scared of creating an electrical fire ...

The apartment that we rent has electrical wiring that is old. I have been told that some of it in the walls, could be as old as 1940's era .. I have very limited 120 service in the room (2) outlets, and both of these feed off (1) 15 amp circut breaker. (Thank God the landlord had done away from using fuses) ... I am planning on using (1) outlet and running a 25 foot medium wire extension cord to the closet area. From there, I am planning to use an ( outlet surge protector mounted on the door jamb ... therefore giving me ( outlets to run what I need for my veg room. I am planning on using the following (some if need be for climate control)... (1) 150 watt (Sunsystem Unit) (2) CFL Clamp on lights (1) 6 inch output air fan (1) Air Pump and (1) Water Pump) and (1 or 2) 9 inch fans ....*Medium of grow is Bubbleponics ...

It just seems that I will be maximizing that one source of electricity to the fullest, and therefore, just waiting for something to happen. It would distraught me to no end if a fire started from this, forcing out the rest of the tenants.

Any and all suggustions are very welcomed as always ... MaineYankee

Make sure your current draw is less than what the circuit is rated for and you should be fine. I'm more concerned about a HPS bulb exploding or a ballast fire than an electrical fire but the anguish diminishes daily.

sounds like you be drawing about 5 amps so you should be ok. make sure the extension cord is at least 16 gauge,14 would be much better and as short as possible. do not coil extra wire in a loop.
after running for a few hours, feel the cord at both ends, slightly warm is ok but if it is very warm to hot, you will need a bigger cord.

Everything should have a label saying how much energy it uses. Don't go over 12A on a 15A circuit and you're gonna be fine. Your light only draws 1.5A max. I doubt if anything else draws a full amp so you're fine. You could even use a 400W light and be fine electricity wise. Maybe not temp wise but you could fix that with better venting.

CEEJR said:

Make sure your current draw is less than what the circuit is rated for and you should be fine. I'm more concerned about a HPS bulb exploding or a ballast fire than an electrical fire but the anguish diminishes daily.

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MrEDuck said:

Everything should have a label saying how much energy it uses. Don't go over 12A on a 15A circuit and you're gonna be fine. Your light only draws 1.5A max. I doubt if anything else draws a full amp so you're fine. You could even use a 400W light and be fine electricity wise. Maybe not temp wise but you could fix that with better venting.

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mrmadcow said:

sounds like you be drawing about 5 amps so you should be ok. make sure the extension cord is at least 16 gauge,14 would be much better and as short as possible. do not coil extra wire in a loop.
after running for a few hours, feel the cord at both ends, slightly warm is ok but if it is very warm to hot, you will need a bigger cord.

Click to expand...

Thanx to all (3) of you and you all received + rep's .... I believe I will go with your advice Mr. MadCow and go with the 14 gauge (better to be safe than sorry is one of my motto's ... And also will check on the cord after I fire the "Baby" up (which I am dying to do) ... but still 3-4 weeks away due to $$ constraints ...Thanx Cee Jr and Mr. E. Duck for your responses as well as they never fall of deaf ears on this end of the computer !!