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. 👍
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.
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!
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!
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
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.
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. 🤠
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thanks. This applies to computers also. So I should be careful and perhaps NOT get the new 4090 Graphics card and a new 1,600 watt power supply to put in the office, unless I put it in the dining room where we have a 20Amp circuit. Luckily it is a nice piece of decoration! And we can dine by the computers' RGB-light so we don't trip the breaker!
Perfect math if you were utilizing incandescent lamps as you stated. The problem is then you show fluorescent fixtures and say, now you know how to calculate how many lights. Not so fast! Fluorescent lamps have wattages on them, but you do not just add them up. In order to do these luminaires, you must look at the ballast information and find “line current” number and multiply by voltage to get VA(let’s call it watts). Best wishes! Kevin
@@BevinsBuilds My mistake. You should still find line current instead of using watts for those LED’s. Although not nearly as bad as fluorescent, there is still a very small amount of losses in the drivers. Thanks for the clarification!
I love how simply you explained this! And in plain english. Thanks SO much!
Thanks
Perfect! Clear and to the point.
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. 👍
THANKS FOR SHARING. I’M STARTING MY ELECTRICAL JOURNEY AS A RETIREE AND THIS WAS HELPFUL.
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.
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!
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!
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 conciseness and clarity. So easy to understand and no fluff.
Excellent video! Thanks for your thorough explanation.
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.
Thank you for this video I've looked all over TH-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.
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. 🤠
This was very helpful, Thank you so much. Now I can plan my Christmas yard lights and know what I can run.
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
Nice job, simple to the point
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 have watched this video at least 15 times thanks again and again.
Excellent presentation with even better explanation. Great job 👏
Thanks
Thank you for a clear and precise explanation !!
I use 250 watt infrared bulbs for therapy. You answered my question. Thanks
agree with other posts--very well explained video--very well spoken and easy to listen and follow along. Thanks!!!
Thank you! Awesome explanation, clear and full of great formulas!
Thank you!!!!! channel has really helped me do my fuzzy math!!!
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.
Absolutely perfect explanation. Short informative. Thank you!
Thanks this is so helpful, and understandable 👍🏻
Super straightforward! Thank you
Thank you! I love the way you explained it.
Great video. Quick and to the point
Thank you, Sir.. Bevins, your video helped me a lot, Super interesting and informative, I appreciate it. Good day. From the Alamo SA, TX.
This is a great info. Thank you.
Great video and well explained
bless your soul, this was clear and informative.
Thank you so much! Straight to the point
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.
Thanks, great video...😮
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
Awesome, thanks you taught me a lot in this video
Great explanation!!! Very clear, definitely helpful as I’m adding lights to my house, is good information to have, thank you!!
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.
Great video and explanation!!! Thank you sir
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.
This is way above my skill level as a do it yourselfer, but its very interesting how electricians figure it out.
Thank you!!
That was very helpful information 👍
Thanks love these explanations. Perfect
Thanks great breakdown!
Dude..... Bravo!!
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 explanation 🎉
Thanks for making it simple and understandable
Thanks for watching :)
Exactly what I was looking for, thanks
fastest ive ever learned anything! thanks
Thank you🙏you’re the best
Awesome stuff!
GOOD REVIEW.. THANKS!!!
Very Very informative.
Ty. For your help
Great video, thank you so much.
Thank You very much, I liked Your presentation, I subscribed too.
Thank you big brother 🤲
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.
Good Content,GreatTips😀👍🏿
thank you for share this information
Thank you for this.
Great video and great explanation 👍
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?
:)
Very well explained
Very good!
Thank you👍
Thank you so much for this video 😊
Thanks for watching
Well presented.
Thanks
What about one with both lights and receptacles? Thank you for putting these together they are very helpful
12 devices only if your mixing
Easy! Thanks
Thanks a lot!
Thank you for the knowledge
Ty for the info
Thx a lot.
Thank you!
Love the videos 💪🏿
All of my lights are connected in series (ohm my goodness). Cheers!
Outstanding!
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.
Thank you that was helpful! Go Astros
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.
I'm sure I regularly see 6,000 Christmas lights in every yard hooked up to one 15 amp outlet.
Are junction boxes still used to wire bedroom outlets with access from the basement?
good teacher
Nice
LED lighting revolutionizes everything. All my home lighting is on solar.
Exactly right so many you tubers telling people all kinds of crap
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.
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.
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
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.
Nice clear answer, it’s not that easy to find , thanks
Thanks
Thanks. This applies to computers also. So I should be careful and perhaps NOT get the new 4090 Graphics card and a new 1,600 watt power supply to put in the office, unless I put it in the dining room where we have a 20Amp circuit. Luckily it is a nice piece of decoration! And we can dine by the computers' RGB-light so we don't trip the breaker!
Thank you
Perfect math if you were utilizing incandescent lamps as you stated. The problem is then you show fluorescent fixtures and say, now you know how to calculate how many lights. Not so fast! Fluorescent lamps have wattages on them, but you do not just add them up. In order to do these luminaires, you must look at the ballast information and find “line current” number and multiply by voltage to get VA(let’s call it watts).
Best wishes! Kevin
The fixtures shown are all Led
@@BevinsBuilds My mistake. You should still find line current instead of using watts for those LED’s. Although not nearly as bad as fluorescent, there is still a very small amount of losses in the drivers. Thanks for the clarification!
Awesome page 📄 I’m taking notes 📝