2007-10-12 09:52:11 · 8 answers · asked by ianturner584 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
this value is determined by the size of the wire and what size breaker you have on it....In the US #14 wire on a 16 amp circuit could have up to 80% of it full load on it or about 12 100 watt bulbs...if it has #12 wire on a 20 amp breaker it will be about 16, 100 watt bulbs..
2007-10-12 13:06:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
A UK domestic lighting circuit is normally protected by a 5 or 6 amp fuse/circuit breaker, this means that it can safely carry 1000-1200 watts, in round figures. Industrial/commercial circuits can be 10/15(16)/20 amp, but normally have individually fused luminaires for fault protection as well as the the main MCB.
ADDED>>>Why the thumbs downs?? 100% correct answer.
2007-10-12 17:30:20 · answer #2 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
At UK mains voltage (230v): If you check your fuse box, you will normally find the lighting circuits are protected by a 5Amp fuse, ie the lighting cable is not designed to carry more than 5Amps. Ohms law says Watts=Volts*Amps =230*5=1150Watts maximum total on the lighting circuit. This is only approximate because Ohms law isn't quite accurate for AC (mains) circuits.
Also flourescent lights & energy-saving bulbs (inductive loads) draw a surge of power when you turn them on so you don't want to get too close to the fuse rating.
Dimmer switches on individual light sockets might have loading limitations also.
2007-10-12 17:11:31 · answer #3 · answered by Quasimojo 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋
In the U.S.A. lighting circuits are limited to 80%
of rated amperage.
A 15 A. circuit could be loaded to a max. of 1440 W. but
1200 is the rule of thumb limit.
A 20 A. circuit could take a maximum of 1920 W. but
1600 is the rule of thumb limit.
2007-10-12 20:36:34 · answer #4 · answered by Irv S 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
A generalisation is 10*100W fittings.
It the MCB operates to disconnect the supply when you turn all of them on, (either immediately or after a few minutes), then you are overloading the circuit.
Realistically, you need to call in a professional if you are thinking of adding extra loading to the circuit.
2007-10-13 14:02:56 · answer #5 · answered by Pauline 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
100 watts is approx 1 amp, so 1500 watts would be 15 amps
2007-10-12 18:16:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
What size is your MCB/fuse?
2007-10-13 11:01:14 · answer #7 · answered by 46IM 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Thousands...and more...
2007-10-12 17:00:03 · answer #8 · answered by Vinegar Taster 7 · 0⤊ 8⤋