I'm wiring my basement and was wondering how many pot light...

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Question by boots
Submitted on 3/7/2004
Related FAQ: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)
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I'm wiring my basement and was wondering how many pot light i can run in series. I'm Considering running 14.

Answer by Max
Submitted on 4/15/2004
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Just put it on a 20 Amp 12-2 circut and a 20 Amp switch.

Answer by Jim
Submitted on 5/30/2004
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I am not am electrician and I don't know what a pot light is, but, if each one consumed 100 watts, or less, you could use wire, switches and a circuit breaker that would handle 15 amps. 14 gage wire should handle 15 amps. That is assuming 115 volt source.

Answer by highwood
Submitted on 6/21/2004
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Pot lights? Can lights if that is what you are asking about, it depends also on the air space above the unit. the units by code need air space. It also depends what type of bulb is being used, 85% of the cirtuit is a save usable rate, also the units should be in conduit,or what is code, depending on the location you are in the country, also junction boxes should not be cover up, they need to be accessable if you plan to finish the ceiling.

Answer by electroman
Submitted on 4/4/2005
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I'm a licensed electrician in Canada, and the answer is, if you are allowed by your local codes to use #14 conductor, then you may have up to 1500 watts, on a 15 amp breaker! if its #12 wire required by local codes, then put it on a 20 amp circuit ,allowing you up to 1920 watts of light! just make sure if you also have receptacles on this circuit , they too are rated for 20 amps!!

Answer by booker
Submitted on 5/4/2005
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I think this person means pot (like in the stuff you smoke) lights.

Answer by dw
Submitted on 3/8/2006
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I have five lights in my basement and would like to hook them all up to one switch

Answer by andyp
Submitted on 3/22/2006
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In Canada, you can put up to a maximum of 12 "loads" (12 pot lights in this case), per 15 amp circuit. This means you can have one 15-amp breaker with a 14/2 wire from your electrical panel, connected to a maximum of 12 pot lights. Light switches are not counted as "loads", so you can have more than one light switch controlling these lights. You can also have outlets on this same circuit, but for each outlet you put in, you will need to remove one pot light. If you are going to add outlets, remember the 6-12-6 rule: there should be no continuous wall segment (not including doorways) that is more than 6 feet away from an outlet.

Answer by 123
Submitted on 6/22/2006
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you should not run them in series.

Answer by sparky
Submitted on 12/1/2006
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i guess these guys have fire extinguishers close by, you can use up to 80% of a 15 amp breaker, be safe and put up to twelve on one breaker, a extra breaker is cheap and will help you sleep at night

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