Electrical Q's

[mapster]

You dont hear much about circuit overloads, so I was wondering how you all have your electrical componets wired up.

I just finished the framing of my in wall tank and am ready to add the outlets. Problem is my curcuit breaker is full (no more slots available, room for more amps though). I was thinking of adding a sub panel but I dont think it is necessary. The back room, where all the equiptment is going to be, is wired with a light switch and 2 lights. i was wondering if I could use those wires to wire my electrical. Maybe replace the 15amp breaker and replace it with a 30amp. I dont like the idea of all my equiptment on one circuit, but I dont know what else to do (aside from hiring a pro to come in). Would a 30 amp breaker handle all my tank equiptment?

2 x 250w MH ballast
1 440w VHO ballast
1 220w VHO ballast
1 ampmaster 4700
1 mag 12
1 mag 3
1 mag 5
+ some smaller equipt (heaters and such)

[Rick O]

Negatory. Most likely the wiring would not handle 30 amps. Probably more like 15 or 20 amps. You can get tandem breakers which is a pair of smaller breakers that takes up the same amount of room in the panel as one standard breaker.

You really should get some assistance unless you are absolutely positive of what you're doing.

[Mafiaman]

you need to d-rate your home panel first. If panel is a 150 amp panel you would rate it at 80% to 120 amps. If you are below this you cold replace your braker for a larger one. Then up grade the wire to your sump room set a sub-panel with 2-3 smaller breakers. This way if some thing trips it is right there.

[mapster]

Yeah forget it, i will hire a pro. Either that or look like Yahoo Serious for the remainder of my life.

Geez, you read one wiring 1-2-3 book and you think you're a pro!

Tandems look like a good option.

Thanks
MAP