How many watts can a standard light socket support?

BobMarlay

BobMarlay

Active Member
In the area where I plan on having my 400 watt hps grow has no plugin outlet available. There is only a light socket, I have one of these lightsocket adapters that converts a lightsocket into an outlet. Do you think I would be able to run my 400 Watt hps, and an oscilating fan safely? Without the risk of fire?


 
Mother's Finest

Mother's Finest

Well-Known Member
The exact answer to your question depends on a number of factors. All proper household wiring running at 120v can handle at least 1800w, and so all light sockets should handle at least that much. You should check the socket, it's package, call a store that sells it at or call the company that makes it to find out for certain how many amps it is made to withstand. A 400w & an occilating fan will use about four amps @120v.
 
BobMarlay

BobMarlay

Active Member
Ill just take that as a yes, it is a 120v, and I wont even be getting near to 1800 watts. Most watts I will use is 600-700, thanks!
 
Gamberro

Gamberro

Well-Known Member
Running through the lights.... Wow, this sounds DANGEROUSLY sketchy, I use one of those in my pantry closet. Definitely check the power ratings on that device as well, no? I don't want to sound negative at all, I am used to way higher power usage, but hey.
 
maxpesh

maxpesh

Active Member
Well you plug your Kettle in to boil water and that uses anything between 1800 and 2500 watts
 
R

robmills

Member
I would take the light socket out and add a plug outlet. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if i had anything over 100 watts running through a simple light socket. A plug is design for higher output.
 
toastycookies

toastycookies

Active Member
you could get away with running the fan on that thing, but not the hps ballast... for fuck sakes man, running a ballast without a ground is NOT a smart idea. rip out the light socket and install a GROUNDED outlet. doing what you have proposed is just asking for an electrical fire.
 
Jeffdt1966

Jeffdt1966

Active Member
There are surley more electrical items also running on this same circuit ... I personally would add a breaker to the electric box and run a new wire to your area...make a few new recepticles and sleep peacfully knowing your not gonna burn your house down trying to grow some stash ........
 
redeye75

redeye75

Active Member
those lamp holders are rated at 125 - 660 watts, so pulling 400watts is dangerous imo... That cheap adapter may not be able to handle the load being passed through it over time and will possibly melt down and arc, hopefully just blowing the breaker and not burning your house down or killing you if it arcs and there is no ground for the voltage to follow.
 
kush714

kush714

Active Member
You must have a ground on the ballast, for saftey reasons. I would install a receptacle or a 12 gauge power cable.
 
Gamberro

Gamberro

Well-Known Member
As you can see by now, this is pretty much the perfect example of what NOT to do. Unless of course you like it "hot hot hot" and your house "gone gone gone".
 
redeye75

redeye75

Active Member
If you do decide to take out the light fixture and install a receptacle you will need to know the size of the wire feeding the box and the breakers amp rating. 14 gauge/15 amp circuits need a 15amp rated receptacle and a 12 gauge/20 amp circuit needs a 20 amp rated receptacle No Exceptions.. ELECTRICITY IS NOT A GAME AND SHORTCUTS SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN!!!! YOUR HOUSE AND LIVES ARE IN DANGER IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE PROPER CODE WHEN DEALING WITH ELECTRICITY!!!
 
BobMarlay

BobMarlay

Active Member
Reading these comments made me realize how stupid this idea actually is, I guess I will run a 12 gauge power cable, and plug the other end in the outlet in the other room.

A 12 guage power cable is this right?



Would that be acceptable?
 
redeye75

redeye75

Active Member
BobMarlay said:
Reading these comments made me realize how stupid this idea actually is, I guess I will run a 12 gauge power cable, and plug the other end in the outlet in the other room.

A 12 guage power cable is this right?




Would that be acceptable?
Click to expand...
Depends on how far you are going to run it.. I wouldnt use more than a 6 foot extension cord...
 
KawiZZR

KawiZZR

Active Member
BobMarlay said:
Reading these comments made me realize how stupid this idea actually is, I guess I will run a 12 gauge power cable, and plug the other end in the outlet in the other room.

A 12 guage power cable is this right?


Would that be acceptable?
Click to expand...
Might want to get a heavy duty surge protector/power strip if you have very far to go, just in case. I'd rather trust a good one of those with a 6' cord than a basic extension cord and it shouldn't cost too much more.
 
Gamberro

Gamberro

Well-Known Member
IDK, the ratings on those cords are better than you would expect, and he's just using a little light.
 
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