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    kelbo's Avatar
    kelbo Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 25, 2007, 07:17 AM
    Adding lights to circuit
    I have a 15 amp fuse that runs 8 - 75w bulbs. I would like to add 6 can lights with 65w bulbs. Can I do that on the existing circuit? Also will these can lights work with the existing #14 wire that is installed or do I need to use #12wire?
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #2

    Aug 25, 2007, 07:47 AM
    120 volts X 15 Amps = 1800 Watts, Derated 80%(1800 X .8=1440 Watts Maximum).
    (8 X 75 = 600 Watts), + (6 X 65 = 390 Watts), = 990 watts.
    1440 Watts -990 Watts= 450 watts to spare.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #3

    Aug 25, 2007, 12:45 PM
    If this is a basement, or any dark area, consider pulling a new circuit. If one circuit fails, the other will continue to work.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #4

    Aug 25, 2007, 04:27 PM
    I agree with redundancy, one circuit handling many lights can leave you in the dark, should breaker trip.
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
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    #5

    Aug 26, 2007, 01:05 PM
    Derated 80%(1800 X .8=1440 Watts Maximum).
    anyone want's to get more into the 80% rule? I guess I can't say the OP should have asked why, or why not, because they haven't checked back yet.
    kelbo's Avatar
    kelbo Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Aug 26, 2007, 03:45 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by kelbo
    I have a 15 amp fuse that runs 8 - 75w bulbs. I would like to add 6 can lights with 65w bulbs. can I do that on the existing circuit? Also will these can lights work with the existing #14 wire that is installed or do I need to use #12wire?
    What is the 80% about...

    Yes it is for a basement and I potentially may be using 3 6" can lights and up to 8 4"can lights since the spacing of the ceiling tiles are not conducive for the 6-6" can lights. So will this be a problem or am I just safer in installing a new fuse and creating a new circuit... also can I tap to this circuit in the future for a small bathroom?

    Thanks for you help
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #7

    Aug 27, 2007, 05:17 AM
    The code was re written a bit a few years ago. Many electricians will remember and default to any circuit can only be loaded to 80 % of the circuit rating.

    Now, technically, the code is written that if the load is continuous the laod can be 100 % of the circuit rating , and any load that will run 3 hours or more must be derated 80%, or 125% of the actual load.

    This gets confusing, esp for us older electricians that have been doing it one way for many years.

    This is not usually a problem with residential, as very few loads actually will run more than 3 hours. In commercail or industrial just about everything will run more than 3 hours, so we derate everything 80 %.

    Pulling a new circuit is recommedned, but not required.

    Bathroom receptacles need to be on a dedicated 20 amp circuit. Lights and fan can be on another circuit. Or one circuit can handle outlet, lights, and fan for that one bathroom.

    Clear as mud?
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