Electric outlet question

[fas917]

I have one 20AMP circuit in a room and want to put my reef tank there.

currently I have a PC, Laptop and 2 lights (100w) in the room.

I want to add...

Return pump 70w
skimmer pump 50w
heater (250w) not used as my tank temp stays 79-80
MH light 2x250w
T5 4x39w
few Tunze + power heads.... 100w

Is it safe to put the tank in that room with 20amp circuit?

 

[masterswimmer]

The tank equipment you just listed comes to 9.38 amps. Include the two 100w bulbs and you're up to 11.05 amps. You should leave a 20% buffer between your rated circuit (20 amps) and your actual usage. In your case you shouldn't use more than 16 amps.

Not knowing what your PC & laptop draw it's impossible to say if you're exceeding these limits, however, it does seem like you're pushing the envelope.

swimmer

 

[Craig]

Look at the power supplies for everythig and add up the total number of amps.

 

[ming]

Or you can buy a Kill a Watt meter for $20 and know exactly how many amps you're using

 

[Paul B]

You will be fine with a 20 amp circuit with your equipment.
Of course you could buy a power cost meter that will tell you exactly how much power you are using at any time and the cost (I sell them) but you don't need it. Just plug that stuff in and watch your fish.
Paul

 

[masterswimmer]

Paul, without knowing how much draw his PC & laptop require how can you be so sure? It could be ok, but without some more specifics we should be careful making a blanket recommendation.

 

[manyfish]

that sure be fine,but if you add more equipment or upgrade your light.check what line is on what circuit,living room and bedroom could be on the same circuit or bathroom.I say this because you could be blow drying you hair and the light go out and the tank.In my house i can't run my mh light and the computer at the same time

 

[Paul B]

Masterswimmer. I made that assumption because as you stated, we know he is using a little over 11 amps. A lap top can be run on a battery and as such uses very little current. Much less than an amp.
I am running much more than that on my 15 amp tank circuit and have been for years. I would not do that if I thought there was any danger. Being an electrician for forty years has taught me to be cautious. (I am retiring in a few weeks:happysad He will probably be drawing about 14 amps on a 20 amp circuit if he keeps the two 100 watt lights on. That is no problem for a 20 amp circuit. 19 amps is also no problem for a 20 amp circuit. If he decides to plug in a vacuum cleaner or a toaster he would just trip the breaker, not burn the house down.
It is nice to have a seperate circuit for our hobby but the question was if it was safe to use the appliances he mentioned safely, not if he wants to upgrade.
Paul

 

[FRY]

you should have no problem with the pc,

paul are you with ibew 3

frank

 

[fas917]

Thank you guys.

The computer has 400w power supply. as for laptop I dont know how much it uses. It is an IBM T43.

Yes I am asking my landlord to put another 20amp in the living room. Let see what he says.

 

[thirty5]

Now. here is the real question...

Is there any other outlets on the circuit? Or is it 100% dedicated to one outlet. Dont assume that just cause it is 20 Amps that there is nothing else drawing off of it. You would be surprised what electricians do. Please describe if this was run specifically for this, or you just know that this outlet is on a 20amp circuit. If it a normal outlet in a house or apartment then i would have to say that there are other things on it. Usually the only outlet that is dedicated is one that was put in for an AC....

 

[fe342185]

I have a killawatt and my HP Laptop nc8430 has a 42W draw when charging and being used.

Other itmes:
3 -250W DE halides with 2 icecap ballast and bluewave ballast = 800W
Dolphin 2100 return pump - 125W
Dolphin 2100 Closed loop - 148W
Small turbo Fan over the tank - 40W
9W PC bulb over refugium - 13W

As you can see the actual wattages are higher than what was claimed. As for the pumps I believe its due to the back pressure but definitely measure the actual wattage to keep the wires from getting too hot and causing a fire.

 

[thirty5]

But you really don't want to know the wattage, you need to know the amperage. That is what makes teh curcuit blow.

 

[masterswimmer]

Knowing watts or amperage works either way.
All you have to do is divide the total watts by 120 to get the amperage being used.

swimmer

 

[thirty5]

But people have to know to do that!

 

[Paul B]

Frank, yes I am with IBEW Local 3 in NYC but only until Christmas day this year which is my birthday and my retirement day
Paul

 

[FRY]

the way i read it he says he has a 20 amp circuit in his room , i assume its a separate circuit

paul i retire next sept 44 years,I'm with unity at yankee Stadium
frank

 

[Paul B]

Fry why did you stay in a year too long? I have 37 years in because I lost some time in Nam. I am leaving a year early and taking a cut.
As for the 20 amp circuit, I doubt he has a seperate circuit going to that tank but I was just trying to answer the question with the information he supplied.

 

[FRY]

same here i was trying to answer with what he info he gave, i lost time also should have gotten out but ill finish at 62

 

[pecan2phat]

God Bless, Fry 44 years!

Paul,
Happy retirement soon!