almost caught fire, electrical question

jonjon777 · Mar 8, 2015

So I'm running 4000 watts, close to 5 with equipment, on two 30 amp breakers and a twenty. Each 30 amp holds two lights, the twenty holds everything else, lights are each plugged into single 15 amp timer on 15 amp surge.

Why did this happen?

(Luckily I was there when it occurred)

what am I doing wrong?

See pic!

deadgro · Mar 8, 2015

That's not a surge protector its just a power strip. It looks like it had a short.

old shol4evr · Mar 8, 2015

that is the sign of to much on to little

jonjon777 · Mar 8, 2015

But 1000 watts was the only thing plugged into it, it says 15 amps,

Freak accident?

rkymtnman · Mar 8, 2015

say what?

break down exactly what you are doing.
what lamps are you running?

ttystikk · Mar 8, 2015

jonjon777 said:
So I'm running 4000 watts, close to 5 with equipment, on two 30 amp breakers and a twenty. Each 30 amp holds two lights, the twenty holds everything else, lights are each plugged into single 15 amp timer on 15 amp surge.

Why did this happen?

(Luckily I was there when it occurred)

what am I doing wrong?

See pic!

30 Amps on how many volts?

HazyDays65 · Mar 8, 2015

Hard wire it.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermat...r-Outdoor-Use-T101RD89/100024879?N=5yc1vZc7qz

GrowUrOwnDank · Mar 8, 2015

You need heavy duty. Extension cords, surge protectors, whatever is hooked up to your grow needs to be beyond code. Your running lights that are drawing for hours. The wire heats up. That chinsy little Walmart junk power strip blew up. In the future, make sure all your shit is way beyond code. My stuff doesn't even pull 500 watts, but I have a 12 gauge extension cord. Good for 20 amps.

Just saying man. Your electrical stuff is a one time cost and if you over do it it will last a long long time. And you can sleep at night.

If you cheap it up you could die a horrific death. And your loved ones.

IgrowUgrow · Mar 8, 2015

Maybe try a new power strip, there might have been a short in it. I would try that and then see if it happens again then something else is wrong.

jonjon777 · Mar 8, 2015

4 1000 waters, each on individual power strip, 15 amps then own separate wire, 2/12 I think, two wires to a 30 amp breaker... All at 110/120. Honestly I thought I could get away with 3 lights per breaker... And intended to during flower...

I should be able to shouldn't I?

jonjon777 · Mar 8, 2015

I did replace power strip. Maybe I should use better ones.

if I Hardware I have to cut my cords and I really don't want to do that...

I did see a video where this one guy ran a 220 to a new box and then to an array of outlets inside of a large outlet box,
that's what I think I'm going to do...

I also seen those fire extinguishers that automatically go off, I'll be investing in one of those this year...

deadgro · Mar 8, 2015

IgrowUgrow said:
Maybe try a new power strip, there might have been a short in it. I would try that and then see if it happens again then something else is wrong.

Yeah this, novel idea. Lol

GrowUrOwnDank · Mar 8, 2015

IgrowUgrow said:
Maybe try a new power strip, there might have been a short in it. I would try that and then see if it happens again then something else is wrong.

Totally stupid advice. "see if it happens again".

Get rid of all that cheap junk dude and focus on some seriously heavy duty stuff.

Stupid advice on the RIU could get you killed.

churchhaze · Mar 8, 2015

WAY too much current through that power strip combined with a poor connection that was jiggling caused that socket to burn up. You need a WAY beefier power strip, or not using power strips at all.

With the amount of current you're using , consider yourself lucky your house didn't burn down.

ttystikk · Mar 8, 2015

Lighting loads are among the most demanding, because they're continuous, and that allows any weak points to get hot, melt, burn their insulation, etc, etc.

Once you've stepped up to multiple thouies, you really need to treat your electrical system with respect- or it will burn your house down and possibly kill you.

jonjon777 · Mar 8, 2015

Well this is the scare thats making me realize that...

Even though it says 1875watts, it wasn't good enough for a 1000 smh...

I'm going to get rid of power strips for now,

as far as extension cords, 15 amps per light is more than enough, correct?

GrowUrOwnDank · Mar 8, 2015

jonjon777 said:
Well this is the scare thats making me realize that...

Even though it says 1875watts, it wasn't good enough for a 1000 smh...

I'm going to get rid of power strips for now,

as far as extension cords, 15 amps per light is more than enough, correct?

Just get 12 gauge bro. And Make sure your stuff is on a surge protextor and even a GFCI outlet. 15 amps is code, but, because the lights run for so many hours, code up. Do the stuff right bro. Like a pro.

deadgro · Mar 8, 2015

OP, different guages of cable have different amperage capabilities. The cheap cable and power strips use thinner guage which can't handle the heat, which leads to melting plastic and fire.

Thicker guage mean heat more spread out and lower cable surface temperatures, as well as thicker insulation means even lower surface temps.

metalhead67 · Mar 8, 2015

Are you sure that the timer that you are using is rated for use with ballasts? I know that many state not to use with ballasts.

jonjon777 · Mar 9, 2015

It came with the light kit???

Then again, all my extension cords and power strips say 15 amps and or 1875 watts... And look what happened..

Also, I went to Lowes and the super thin ext cords say 15 amps as well as the thicker cords.. ???

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