KnittyOma
Mar 12, 2007, 01:21 PM
I am remodeling a bedroom into an office. There is one main overhead light which will be inadequate for my new needs. I would like to put up track lighting to replace this overhead light. I am looking at the main box(wiring) having two sections come from each side, like a large line, and each section has three 50 watt bulbs (so there will be a total of six). How can I determine if the wiring for that one overhead is sufficient for the new track lighting? Thanks.
tkrussell
Mar 12, 2007, 01:36 PM
If this home is fairly new, say up to 30 years old, my opinion is that the circuit will certainly handle the 300 watts. If your still concerned, the only method to check the existing connected load is to shut off the circuit to find each outlet and light currently on the circuit, then do an inventory of the load in watts or amps, and note the size circuit this is, most likely a 15 amp circuit.
A 15 amp circuit can handle 1800 watts of non continuous load, load that runs no longer than 3 hours, or 1440 watts (12 amps) of load that runs 3 hours or more.
I really don't think you have anything to worry about. You may need to be concerned with what other loads you will have, not so much a desktop PC, but any large printers, etc.
If you have any more questions on this do not hesitate to get back with them.