Is there a way that the wattage can be measured betweeon old current usage and new usage draw that would make sure that the existing wiring can handle the new options? Right now I am using 160 watts and looks like what I pucked will drop to 46 watts so I think I am safe. Opinions please .
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Wattage usage of WHAT?
What is the circuit? What else is on it?
If the "new" is less than the "old" wht is the problem?
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I am using 160 watts and looks like what I pucked will drop to 46 watts so I think I am safe
I'm guessing you mean you've gone from 4 x 40W lamps in some number of fixtures to 46W of LV lamps & fixtures on a transformer? Or, are you using CFL lamp(s) for the reduced wattage?
Imprecisely, W = VA, so decreasing W with constant V reduces A (amps). That's generally a good thing. Depends on the wires/cables used, the condition of the connections, panel, etc. (In other words, if you have copper wire on lamp cord spliced to AL wire friction taped to knob-and-tube, you have other problems than the lamps & fixtures.)
Only trick of using a transformer for LV lamp fixtures, is to check the data plate on the transformer to see what it is drawing. If the xfmr is drawing 175W, then that's more than what you had before, even if the output lighting is less. If the transformer is only pulling 75W, then, that's a net gain. Which ought to be better.
You can measure amps with a clamp-on ammeter, available starting around $75. Once you measure amps, you multiply times voltage to figure watts (or, as previously stated, VA, to be totally accurate).