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Message
What's the max wattage for a switch
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:43 pm
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:43 pm
The light is on a 20 amp breaker.
Right now I have 100 string lights on a switch.
They draw, at most, 500 watts. But the fuse inside the lights is only an 8amp fuse.
Can that switch support a second set of lights?
Mathematically, yes. It will draw considerably less than maximum. But I'm wondering for continuous use... 12 hours at a time.
Right now I have 100 string lights on a switch.
They draw, at most, 500 watts. But the fuse inside the lights is only an 8amp fuse.
Can that switch support a second set of lights?
Mathematically, yes. It will draw considerably less than maximum. But I'm wondering for continuous use... 12 hours at a time.
19
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:44 pm to X123F45
Depends on voltage
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:45 pm to X123F45
Household is generally 15a.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:45 pm to Marco Esquandolas
But yes...it can
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:46 pm to QuietTiger
quote:
Household is generally 15a.
Lots of homes run 20a circuits
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:46 pm to X123F45
If you plug the 2nd srring into the first, it's all on the first fuse. Capice?
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:46 pm to X123F45
quote:
100 string lights
Holy trailer park
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:46 pm to X123F45
I’d say run time is more related to device rather than circuit here if there is nothing else
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:46 pm to X123F45
I wouldn’t go over 350 and would probably just keep it at around 288 to be safe.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:48 pm to X123F45
Draw is 4.17A per 100 light string with the provided info. A household light switch will easily handle two strings.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:51 pm to QuietTiger
quote:
the fuse inside the lights is only an 8amp fuse.
quote:
If you plug the 2nd srring into the first, it's all on the first fuse.
Yes, because of the limitations of the light string wiring.
This post was edited on 4/9/19 at 10:28 pm
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:53 pm to NYCAuburn
quote:
Lots of homes run 20a circuits
True, but did they do it in this instance? Safe before sorry is my creed.
I won't see the smoke from my house.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:55 pm to X123F45
Most normal "light switches" used today are 15 amps (even if on a 20 amp circuit) as well as most standard receptacles. This is over 3 times the draw of your light string. Unless you have other draws past the switch then you are more than fine for continuous ~4A resistive load.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 9:58 pm to NYCAuburn
quote:
Lots of homes run 20a circuits
He can determine that from the load panel but unless the switch is actually a 20A switch (very rare) and the receptacle is also a 20 amp receptacle (also very rare in home construction) he should use 15A in his calculations.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 10:00 pm to X123F45
Take everything in this thread with a grain of salt. Last time I relied on electrical advice from the OT I nearly burned my house down.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 10:05 pm to X123F45
220, 221, whatever it takes.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 10:08 pm to MMauler
quote:
220, 221, whatever it takes.
When I first started reading this I thought you were about to quote NEC sections because the relevant one for 15 amp receptacles on 20 amp branch circuits is 210.21
Posted on 4/9/19 at 10:08 pm to X123F45
If the breaker trips replace it with a nail
Posted on 4/9/19 at 10:14 pm to Obtuse1
Stop posting.
20a switches and oulets are very common. Avail at any big box and specd for many builds.
Just because you dont know about it doesnt mean its very rare, lol.
20a switches and oulets are very common. Avail at any big box and specd for many builds.
Just because you dont know about it doesnt mean its very rare, lol.
Posted on 4/9/19 at 10:17 pm to X123F45
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