Pluggling Lights into outlet?
- Thread starter Austinv
- Start date
Duke M.
Veteran
Watts = Volts x Amps. Generally in the US you have between 100-120 volts.
Many breakers for living rooms and bedrooms are 10 amps. You're going to exceed that quickly. Also, several rooms might be on the same circuit, especially bedrooms.
Most modern bathrooms are 15 amps and on a separate circuit. That's why hair dryers usually max out at 1800 watts. (15 ams x 120 volts = 1800 watts.)
Certain outlets in the kitchen are 15-20 amps and on a separate circuit.
Keep those in mind and look at your lights. For example, your 1k = 1000 watts /110 volts = ~9 amps. If you're on a 10 amp circuit that's nearly the entire capacity right there.
The only way you're going to run all those lights is to run heavy extension cords from different circuits. Even then, allow some margin for safety. Circuit breakers and fuses don't always operate perfectly.
This is one of the reasons that flourecent and HMI lighting are popular. They draw lots less juice, but then you need to be careful about color. Cheap versions of those lights cast a green tint on everything. Plus they often don't play nice with tungsten (halogen) lights.
Many breakers for living rooms and bedrooms are 10 amps. You're going to exceed that quickly. Also, several rooms might be on the same circuit, especially bedrooms.
Most modern bathrooms are 15 amps and on a separate circuit. That's why hair dryers usually max out at 1800 watts. (15 ams x 120 volts = 1800 watts.)
Certain outlets in the kitchen are 15-20 amps and on a separate circuit.
Keep those in mind and look at your lights. For example, your 1k = 1000 watts /110 volts = ~9 amps. If you're on a 10 amp circuit that's nearly the entire capacity right there.
The only way you're going to run all those lights is to run heavy extension cords from different circuits. Even then, allow some margin for safety. Circuit breakers and fuses don't always operate perfectly.
This is one of the reasons that flourecent and HMI lighting are popular. They draw lots less juice, but then you need to be careful about color. Cheap versions of those lights cast a green tint on everything. Plus they often don't play nice with tungsten (halogen) lights.
Last edited:
j
Veteran
> Using a power bar that could support all those watts. Could I just plug it into one outlet???
Sure, just don't turn them all on at once. ;-)
> What do you guys plug your lights into??
We split the load. Each circuit will only hold 2,000 watts (roughly). If you put more than that then you risk blowing the circuit. You might have 6 or 7 outlets on each circuit, and they might include adjoining rooms. So add up all watts on each circuit (including TVs, refrigerators, coffee pots...) and make sure it does not go over 2,000 watts.
If it does, then run an extension cord from another room on a different circuit and plug the remaining lights into that circuit.
> Go into as much depth as possible.
There's not enough space. I'd recommend getting the Blain Brown "Lighing" book. It's good for beginners and goes into enough detail to get you off to a good start. Beyond that, the lighting/electric bible is the Harry Box book.
-J
Sure, just don't turn them all on at once. ;-)
> What do you guys plug your lights into??
We split the load. Each circuit will only hold 2,000 watts (roughly). If you put more than that then you risk blowing the circuit. You might have 6 or 7 outlets on each circuit, and they might include adjoining rooms. So add up all watts on each circuit (including TVs, refrigerators, coffee pots...) and make sure it does not go over 2,000 watts.
If it does, then run an extension cord from another room on a different circuit and plug the remaining lights into that circuit.
> Go into as much depth as possible.
There's not enough space. I'd recommend getting the Blain Brown "Lighing" book. It's good for beginners and goes into enough detail to get you off to a good start. Beyond that, the lighting/electric bible is the Harry Box book.
-J
I've noticed that in some older homes and buildings that two different outlets in a room are on two different circuits. Not always the case but nothing an extension cord from a different room wont fix. I usually try not to put more than 1500watts on one outlet.
That's just my technique, hope you find it helpful!
That's just my technique, hope you find it helpful!
j
Veteran
You'll have to check the fuse box to see how many watts each circuit can handle.
20amp is 2,000 watts. 15amp is 1,500 watts. 10 amp is 1,000 watts. Some older homes have 10amp circuits.
In order to see what outlets go with each circuit, you can trip the circuit and see what turns off. If you have a friend with a cell phone, you can plug a light in and he can tell you if the light turns on or off. If you are by yourself, you can plug a radio in and listen from the fuse box to hear if it turns on or off. You can also use something like this:
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/74-260&cid=prodCrossSell
20amp is 2,000 watts. 15amp is 1,500 watts. 10 amp is 1,000 watts. Some older homes have 10amp circuits.
In order to see what outlets go with each circuit, you can trip the circuit and see what turns off. If you have a friend with a cell phone, you can plug a light in and he can tell you if the light turns on or off. If you are by yourself, you can plug a radio in and listen from the fuse box to hear if it turns on or off. You can also use something like this:
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/74-260&cid=prodCrossSell
djkarn105
Well-known member
Definitely know where the circuit breaker is where you're shooting. You don't want to blow it only to find out you don't have access and the shoot can't go on.
Kitchens and bathrooms are usually on a separate circuit with higher capacities. Also, if you're running power from the kitchen, it's a good idea to unplug the fridge. and anything else that may be drawing power.
Kitchens and bathrooms are usually on a separate circuit with higher capacities. Also, if you're running power from the kitchen, it's a good idea to unplug the fridge. and anything else that may be drawing power.
yeah are ppl out there that simply ignore the build codes and do not understand basic P=I*V. When the circuit breaker trips on them too much, they think their breaker is not strong enough and they change it out to higher Amp rating, which is dangerous. this is how fire started.