I'm running a 600w light, T5, air pumps, fans, etc. as well as every other light in my house on a 15 amp line. I don't want to just plug everything in and find out if it works or not by weather my house burns down or not. I have a multimeter, if it matters. i bought it for this but never figured out what to do.
Well it depends on what else you have plugged into that circuit. I'm guessing with everything plugged in you'll be about 10amps. Every piece of equipment has a amp rating on it. Add them up and this will give you a rough idea. . But honestly if you can. Run a dedicated circuit.
Everything including the house lights? I have 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and a living room. Most everything runs regular bulbs and the living room runs CFL's. I cant run a dedicated circuit, but i may be able to tap into a 20 amp circuit if i need to. where can i find the amp rating? I'll look around for that. Thanks! Can i just turn on every light in the house and do something with my multimeter?
Look at your breaker panel and see what breaker feeds that outlet or room. I'm guessing you have 1 living room circuit and 1 maybe 2 bedroom circuits so prob 3 15amp breakers. Your bathroom circuit is 20amps. But yes if you have a good multi meter you can measure it at the breaker panel.
My house was wired by a monkey. I have one 15 amp breaker running all my lights in the house, and multiple 20 amp lines for everything else except the stove, washing machine, etc that needs a much higher amp rating. There all on one line. Theres a line for each room's electricity outlets i believe. I already knew this. There's this one wire under my fire alarm if i disconnect it the entire house's electricity goes out. It's fun when were having party's and i need everyone to leave. Anyway Thanks! ill measure it from the breaker.
I would stick with the rule of thumb of %80 load on a circuit. If you read a little you can easily add another circuit from your panel. Or find an electrician you trust. I just had three more circuits run for the bubble. He told me the 80% rule and divided the watts by 120 to come up with an 8 A draw on a 1000w light, so 600w/120=5 Amps. Do the same with all the fixtures to determine where your at.
Ya sounds like all the plugs and lights would be on the same circuit. I don't know what type of meter you have. But a good fluke meter makes for accurate measurements. Make sure you hook up the meter in series and remember. Loose wires start fires.
