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View Full Version : How much can I put on 20 amp circuit?


greensouth
Jun 20, 2014, 10:21 AM
Hi, I have a question about electrical capacity and not sure of what info you need to answer my question, so forgive me if I provide too much or not enough info.
We have a 20 amp circuit in our garage serving a small run-in shed for our horses. I believe there is a ground rod at the shed. Right now the only thing on the circuit are 2 light fixtures hardwired. One is a double lamp floodlight with 2 90 watt bulbs, and the second is a halogen floodlight with 150 watt bulb. They are on for max 30 minutes only when it is dark.
We would like to put 1 or 2 wall mount fans in the shed, which will be on during the day. My husband believes he is electrically savvy, and thinks that he can add a duplex receptacle to this circuit and plug in one or two fans. One fan is .66 amps.
Is he right? Can it run both fans, or just one?
Thanks in advance

stanfortyman
Jun 20, 2014, 11:02 AM
So you have a 20A circuit, with about 3A worth of lighting on it, and you want to know if adding .66 or 1.32A more is OK?

ma0641
Jun 20, 2014, 05:59 PM
@120VAC and 20 amps, you can have 2400 watts. You are nowhere near the load. Fan away! And at the amperage they draw, you could add 10 more!

Missouri Bound
Jun 21, 2014, 06:13 AM
A good rule of thumb is to keep the load below 80% of the circuit's capacity.
So... 16 amps on a 20 amp circuit, or 1920 watts. (120v circuit)