Basic question as to how many 50W lights
How many 50W lights on a 15 amp line. Seems to me to be 20 is that right?
Also what is the difference in the halogene pot lights with a transformer attached and the ones that run on 120V? Other than the 2X$ for transformer style, and the failling transformers later on.
Replies
28.
15 x120 = 1800 watts.
But for continous use you are only suppose to load to 80% => 1440 watts
1440/50 = 28.8
"Also what is the difference in the halogene pot lights with a transformer attached and the ones that run on 120V? Also what is the difference in the halogene pot lights with a transformer attached and the ones that run on 120V? "
First you need to compare the same style bulb and fixture.
I know that MR-16's are available in both 120 and 12 volts. Don't know aobut the details of what beam spreads are available.
I suspect that the 12 volt have longer life, but really don't know.
1800 watts (120 x 15 ) so theoretically 36 bulbs BUT
when you turn on a filament bulb, the initial current is quite a bit larger than rated until the filament heats up. This initial current is usually called "lamp load" affecting the size of switches and the number of bulbs that can be switched simultaneously on a circuit.
If the bulbs are activated separately, you can probably go about 30.
If switching them all on at one time, you're probably right at 20.
The numbers are a SWAG on my part; real numbers depend on the type of bulb, size of the wire, type of breaker,...
Marc
Thanks as always to one and all. patrick.