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Message
re: What's the max wattage for a switch
Posted on 4/9/19 at 11:46 pm to X123F45
Posted on 4/9/19 at 11:46 pm to X123F45
Assuming that this is a toggle switch in a house, you can put 1920 watts of lighting (16 amps @ 120V) if the switch is rated for 20 amps. If the switch is rated for 15 amps the you can put 1800 watts of lighting (15 amps @ 120V) on the switch.
20A breakers can handle long continuous loads of 3 hours or more when loaded at 80% or less of their rating, thus the 16 amps or less of lighting load is acceptable.
If you are using any type of dimmer as your switch, you will need to consult with the dimmer specs for load that the dimmer can handle along with its capability with the type of lamps that you are attempting to control.
20A breakers can handle long continuous loads of 3 hours or more when loaded at 80% or less of their rating, thus the 16 amps or less of lighting load is acceptable.
If you are using any type of dimmer as your switch, you will need to consult with the dimmer specs for load that the dimmer can handle along with its capability with the type of lamps that you are attempting to control.
0
Posted on 4/10/19 at 2:07 am to NYCAuburn
Do they have the breakers to match them?
Posted on 4/10/19 at 11:33 am to X123F45
120*20= 2400 Watts. Just make sure you use a 20 amp extension cord.
Posted on 4/10/19 at 11:45 am to X123F45
quote:
What's the max wattage for a switch
350
Posted on 4/10/19 at 1:03 pm to deltaland
15 amp receptacles can be used on a 20 amp circuit as long as there is more than one on the circuit. If you read the NEC it does read like a duplex 15 amp receptacle would count as more than one since it looks like they are counting the individual outlets on the receptacle. I have never seen that. 12 ga wire must also be used in the entire circuit. The breaker is there to protect the circuit wiring.
Here is their definition of a receptacle:
Receptacle. A receptacle is a contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug. A single receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact device on the same yoke. A multiple receptacle is two or more contact devices on the same yoke.
I guess their thinking is that you can not physically plug an appliance designed (factory designed) for 20 amps into a 15 amp outlet and you can't pull more than 20 amps on the circuit and the wiring can handle 20 amps.
15 amp switches can also be used on a 20 amp circuit as long as the switched load does not exceed the switches rating and again 12 ga wire must be used on the entire circuit.
Tangent, I know but:
15 amp switch 120V = 1800 watts
20 amp switch 120V = 2400 watts
For continuous loads, defined as loads that will be switched on more than three hours, the limits are 20% less than the switches rating.
15 amp switch 120V is really 12A and 1,440 watts
20 amp switch 120V is really 16A and 1,920 watts
Here is their definition of a receptacle:
Receptacle. A receptacle is a contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug. A single receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact device on the same yoke. A multiple receptacle is two or more contact devices on the same yoke.
I guess their thinking is that you can not physically plug an appliance designed (factory designed) for 20 amps into a 15 amp outlet and you can't pull more than 20 amps on the circuit and the wiring can handle 20 amps.
15 amp switches can also be used on a 20 amp circuit as long as the switched load does not exceed the switches rating and again 12 ga wire must be used on the entire circuit.
Tangent, I know but:
15 amp switch 120V = 1800 watts
20 amp switch 120V = 2400 watts
For continuous loads, defined as loads that will be switched on more than three hours, the limits are 20% less than the switches rating.
15 amp switch 120V is really 12A and 1,440 watts
20 amp switch 120V is really 16A and 1,920 watts
Posted on 4/10/19 at 2:10 pm to X123F45
quote:
Right now I have 100 string lights on a switch.
Leaving your xmas lights up all year, even though on a switch, is still trashy!
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