Using available 50 amp circuit for grow room.

420forme

Active Member
My basement is lacking power, the electric box is full, but has a 50 amp run to the garage for a welder. Can I re-route the power line from the garage to my grow room, and set up a mini box with 3 15 amp circuits and then run like 3 outlets off that?
 
nope, when you change amps you also have to change gauge of wire. The wire would be too small and would cause a risk of fire. You can do it, but if your house catches fire and they see it wasn't wired properly you won't get anything out of the insurance.
 
I don't follow. The wire comming from the 50amp is like 6 gauge. I can't run that wire to a new box and split it up? Would I have to remove the 50 completely and replace it with 15's in the main box?
 
You could wire it straight into one of these http://www.brewandgrow.com/grow/lighting/timers/e-z-box-8-outlet-50-amp.html

lumz_n_blooms_-_ezbox_8_power_panel.jpg
 
Just a wild guess.... reroute 50 amp circuit to a new sub panel in grow room. Then maybe you can add lower amp breakers there for for use in the room? Hmmmm

Just thinking
 
I don't follow. The wire comming from the 50amp is like 6 gauge. I can't run that wire to a new box and split it up? Would I have to remove the 50 completely and replace it with 15's in the main box?
Well the basement isn't set up for the 50 amp load in the walls. Your garage is. If you switch the 50 amp to the basement, the basement's wiring will be too small and could start a fire. If that happens, they'll look at your wiring and see its the wrong size to handle that load and insurance won't pay you. But you never mentioned how big it is in the basement's walls.
 
yes you can run the 50a into the basement but you need to make sure you have 10mm wire from the breaker to the basement but i would downgrade the 50a to a 45a anything less will cause a fire then have an RCD to protect the sub panel then have 2 20amp breakers on the sub panel as long as you have all the correct wire and certified parts it will be fine but if ur cutting into another cable at such high amps i wouldn't recommend it i would only recommend it with 1 straight run of cable
 
My basement is lacking power, the electric box is full, but has a 50 amp run to the garage for a welder. Can I re-route the power line from the garage to my grow room, and set up a mini box with 3 15 amp circuits and then run like 3 outlets off that?
yes you can reroute the wire from the garage to a subpanel in the basement and run 3-4 20 amp breakers off that to power your grow.
nusky would be correct if you wanted to use your wires in the basement and tie them into a 50 amp breaker but since you want to use the range cable that runs to the garage, it is rated for 50 amps so you will be fine.

nitro, in the US, he wont be able to find a 45 amp breaker or a RCD. we use a different system on this side of the pond
 
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