I have installed about 20 flourescent shop lights all with...

<< Back to: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)

Answer by skid
Submitted on 11/5/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
You can buy fixtures at most home improvement/hardware stores that come pre-wired with a cord and switch, some are even sold with an optional grow-lamp. For those with no electrical training, pre-wired fixtures are the best choice. Fixtures wired incorrectly can cause fires and electrocutions. For most types of plants, grow lights are only useful for providing supplemental lighting. Artificial lighting can be harmful to most plants if it is not controlled properly, architectural lights can actually kill trees after prolonged exposure, some types of street lighting has been known to kill any grass directly under the light. Like animals, plants require 'sleep', or downtime.

Answer by demo
Submitted on 1/20/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Yes you can put a plug on it yourself but you are supposed to use a registered electrician.My advise is to use 3 core flex which will have a red core a green/yellow core and a black core and you can buy these complete with a plug top allready attached.Tie a knot in the flex inside the fitting to stop pressure on the terminals if it gets pulled on.Strip aprox 20mm of the outer sheath so the copper is bare and twist it,then fold it over on its self and terminate the red to the L terminal,the black to the N terminal and the green/yellow to the E terminal.It is better to use a gland where the flex is entering the fitting.Make sure the fittings earth terminal is connected to the frame.Plug it in and away you go.Good luck with your tomatoes.

FAQS.ORG makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of the posts. Each post is the personal opinion of the poster. These posts are not intended to substitute for medical, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. FAQS.ORG does not endorse any opinion or any product or service mentioned mentioned in these posts.

<< Back to: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)

[ Home | FAQ-Related Q&As | General Q&As | Answered Questions ]

Question by Robert
Submitted on 10/5/2003
Related FAQ: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)
Rating:	Rate this question:
I have installed about 20 flourescent shop lights all with electronic ballasts. These are wired in a parallel fashion. When they are on, the circuit breaker that controls the lights buzzes in the loadcenter. As I turn each light off the buzzing diminishes until it is gone when just one light is on. Is this a normal phenomenon is is there a problem that I must address? Also, is there a maximum number of flourescent lights (again with electronic ballasts) that can be placed on one circuit so long as the total current does not exceed the wiring and hence the circuit breaker?

Answer by RED
Submitted on 4/21/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
IF YOUR SHOP LIGHTS ARE ON FOR 3 OR MORE CONTINUOUS HOURS YOU MUST TAKE THE AMP RATING OFF OF THE BALLAST TIMES 20 TIMES 125%, IF THIS FIGURE EXCEEDS 16 AMP YOU WILL NEED TO INSTALL ANOTHER CIRCUIT AND SPLIT UP LIGHTS CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER SWITCH. THIS IS IF THE BREAKER IS HUMMING AND NOT THE BALLAST, IF IT JUST THE BALLAST I WOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT IT

Answer by fritz420
Submitted on 5/18/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am trying to do some growing of plants inside of my house and I am setting up a small greenhouse. The problem I have run into is that I live in a apt building and when I go to the store to but a flourescent light it of course does not come with an actual plug on it. My question is, is there anyway that I can attach a standard plug to the end of that bad boy. Also, as you can tell I have little to none wiring knowledge but would appreciate you help, thank you

Answer by FBI MAN. (responding to fritz420)
Submitted on 9/24/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hello fritz420, sounds to me like you need some "green lights". Perhaps you can tell us your address so we can make an impromptu visit. See you soon. -Robert Wright, Jr.

Answer by big d
Submitted on 11/11/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it is possible to wire a switch, that could be used to turn the light off and on? And if so which switch would be better and what would be the easiest way to wire it?

Answer by Norm
Submitted on 12/1/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Can you use flourescent lights in lamps wired for 3-way incondescent bulbs?

Answer by Mike
Submitted on 2/12/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Red's answer to the fluorescent light question doesn't make sense to me. Where did he get the 16 amp figure? 16 Amps at 125% is 20 Amps, but in his calculation, he already used the 125% factor. If you already multiply your current draw by 125%, then you can go up to 20 amps for your answer. This is all assuming it's on a 20 Amp circuit. If 14 Gauge wire is used, then the current can't exceed 12 Amps, 125% of wich is 15.

Answer by Bob L
Submitted on 4/10/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Can I use the same ballast on 40 and 35 watt tubes (not mixing tubes on the same fixture)? I service the ballasts and the person that replaces the tubes maintains that it is OK to use the same ballast with either size bulb (two lamp fixtures with the same lamp size). Thanx

Answer by S.D.Hardee
Submitted on 10/14/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
If you go to the store and look for a "hanging shop light fixture" this will come with a plug-in cord, in-line switch, and chains to hang it. The fixtures are commonly available at Walmart, Lowe's, and Home Depot.

Answer by Mr. Obvious
Submitted on 1/8/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Um... You have 20 shop lights in an apartment building. And you're trying to grow plants... in an apartment building. Is your name Mr. Green Jeans or Captain Reefer?

Your name or nickname:
If you'd like to create a new account or access your existing account, put in your password here:
Your answer: