Barn Electrical Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**GOPAPA** · Yesterday, 04:08 PM

A guy I know ask me if it is safe or not to wire in a single light bulb by using the feed from a plug-in , of course the plug-in is 20 amp serviced and the light only calls for 15 amp.. but he would have to run a new wire from the breaker box 30 ft .. this is in his barn ,, and if this is no problem then another question would be can he run 14 guage wire from plug-in to light ..

**old Rusty C10** · Yesterday, 04:20 PM

assuming the light is hung from the rafters i dont see why he couldnt..its not the most proper way, as i would run a 14 guage romex to a box from the panel and hang a single bulb fixture, but its doable

Dead Parrot · Yesterday, 04:52 PM

If the box with the plug is not inside a wall, then about as easy to wire in a run of sheathed cable(romex) from the existing box to the new location and add a 2nd box. Doesn't take one of the plugin slots and you don't wind up with a bunch of extension cord left over hanging from the roof or coiled under the plug. Bonus points for wiring in a switch for ease of turning light on/off. The 2nd box also allow future expansion of a 2nd light. One bulb good, 2 or 5 better.

**truckster** · Yesterday, 05:34 PM

A 14 gauge copper wire can safely carry 15 amps. At 120 volts, that's 18 of the old incandescent 100 watt bulbs. If you're using LED bulbs, you could put about 200 of them on that circuit...

**GOPAPA** · Yesterday, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

A 14 gauge copper wire can safely carry 15 amps. At 120 volts, that's 18 of the old incandescent 100 watt bulbs. If you're using LED bulbs, you could put about 200 of them on that circuit...

thx curious ,,what if he were to plug in a electric drill or a fan , what is the load it will be okay with ,, not saying he will ,,as he only wants a light

**truckster** · Yesterday, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

thx curious ,,what if he were to plug in a electric drill or a fan , what is the load it will be okay with ,, not saying he will ,,as he only wants a light

I have a DeWalt 24 inch fan in my garage. It moves a LOT of air and draws 120 watts (slightly more than an old 100 watt bulb). I had to look up the drill, since all of mine are cordless. A DeWalt 1/2" variable speed reversing drill draws up to 7.8 amps, so just over half the rated load.

What he would NOT want to do is run a welder or an air compressor with that circuit.

**GOPAPA** · Yesterday, 06:59 PM

Thx Bob,Parrot ,and Truckster ,, this should satisfy him

**HO455** · Yesterday, 07:13 PM

If the outlet service has a 20 amp breaker feeding it then any additional runs added to the circuit must be capable of handling 20 amps.

Your friend needs to use 12awg wire to add the light to the circuit and he should be good.

Using 14awg wire is a recipe for a fire in this instance. Say down the road a new light fixture was installed drawing 17 amps. The wiring would be overloaded but the breaker would not trip. Eventually the wires would overheat and the insulation would fail and burn.

Yesterday, 04:08 PM	#1
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,411	Barn Electrical Question A guy I know ask me if it is safe or not to wire in a single light bulb by using the feed from a plug-in , of course the plug-in is 20 amp serviced and the light only calls for 15 amp.. but he would have to run a new wire from the breaker box 30 ft .. this is in his barn ,, and if this is no problem then another question would be can he run 14 guage wire from plug-in to light .. __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart. Last edited by GOPAPA; Yesterday at 04:23 PM.

Yesterday, 04:20 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,277	Re: Barn Electrical Question assuming the light is hung from the rafters i dont see why he couldnt..its not the most proper way, as i would run a 14 guage romex to a box from the panel and hang a single bulb fixture, but its doable __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

Yesterday, 04:52 PM	#3
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,502	Re: Barn Electrical Question If the box with the plug is not inside a wall, then about as easy to wire in a run of sheathed cable(romex) from the existing box to the new location and add a 2nd box. Doesn't take one of the plugin slots and you don't wind up with a bunch of extension cord left over hanging from the roof or coiled under the plug. Bonus points for wiring in a switch for ease of turning light on/off. The 2nd box also allow future expansion of a 2nd light. One bulb good, 2 or 5 better.

Yesterday, 05:34 PM	#4
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,829	Re: Barn Electrical Question A 14 gauge copper wire can safely carry 15 amps. At 120 volts, that's 18 of the old incandescent 100 watt bulbs. If you're using LED bulbs, you could put about 200 of them on that circuit... __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

Yesterday, 06:59 PM	#7
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,411	Re: Barn Electrical Question Thx Bob,Parrot ,and Truckster ,, this should satisfy him __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

Yesterday, 07:13 PM	#8
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,894	Re: Barn Electrical Question If the outlet service has a 20 amp breaker feeding it then any additional runs added to the circuit must be capable of handling 20 amps. Your friend needs to use 12awg wire to add the light to the circuit and he should be good. Using 14awg wire is a recipe for a fire in this instance. Say down the road a new light fixture was installed drawing 17 amps. The wiring would be overloaded but the breaker would not trip. Eventually the wires would overheat and the insulation would fail and burn. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.