jonthefishguy
Active Member
For my home aquarium system, we installed 3 twenty amp breakers and neer had issues.
15 amp breaker ?
- Thread starter genzod66
- Start date
jpc763
Active Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
I run all my fish stuff on 20 amp. It's not just that simple as swapping a breaker.....The existing wiring much be big enough to handle the increase to the 20 amp breaker.....It will work, but will heat the wiring up over time posing a risk possibly.
I have this exact problem. My tank is on the 2nd floor and my breaker is in my basement. So running new wire is not an option. I run my whole system (no chiller needed in CO) on a 15a.
I run all my fish stuff on 20 amp. It's not just that simple as swapping a breaker.....The existing wiring much be big enough to handle the increase to the 20 amp breaker.....It will work, but will heat the wiring up over time posing a risk possibly.
I have this exact problem. My tank is on the 2nd floor and my breaker is in my basement. So running new wire is not an option. I run my whole system (no chiller needed in CO) on a 15a.
sh00tist
Member
If you plan to use a chiller I would suggest running 2 new breakers. You might regret using one when that chiller kicks on and throws your breaker and be kicking yourself for not doing 2,and this is saltwater so you will naturally want to upgrade in the(nearer than you think) future.
acrylic51
Active Member
Originally Posted by jpc763
I have this exact problem. My tank is on the 2nd floor and my breaker is in my basement. So running new wire is not an option. I run my whole system (no chiller needed in CO) on a 15a.
Running the whole system can be done on a 15A breaker no doubt, but you have to think about or should calculate the "load" on that breaker.....You need to total up the amps being used. I'm not a licensed electrican, but both my brother-in-laws are, but I know your not suppose to push the breakers more than 3/4's all the time.......
With loading that breaker to it's limits you just increase your chances of failures IMHO......What happens if that heater trips and it shuts down the whole system? Can everyone's system afford that? I can, but don't want it to happen on any of my systems.
If you break the system up on at least 2 circuits, you can better distribute the loads, and you can make sure that at least a PH or a pump is on a separate circuits if 1 would trip you would still have some type of flow, because the other circuit would still be up......
It's hard trying to figure how and if possible to run a new line....
I have this exact problem. My tank is on the 2nd floor and my breaker is in my basement. So running new wire is not an option. I run my whole system (no chiller needed in CO) on a 15a.
Running the whole system can be done on a 15A breaker no doubt, but you have to think about or should calculate the "load" on that breaker.....You need to total up the amps being used. I'm not a licensed electrican, but both my brother-in-laws are, but I know your not suppose to push the breakers more than 3/4's all the time.......
With loading that breaker to it's limits you just increase your chances of failures IMHO......What happens if that heater trips and it shuts down the whole system? Can everyone's system afford that? I can, but don't want it to happen on any of my systems.
If you break the system up on at least 2 circuits, you can better distribute the loads, and you can make sure that at least a PH or a pump is on a separate circuits if 1 would trip you would still have some type of flow, because the other circuit would still be up......
It's hard trying to figure how and if possible to run a new line....
turningtim
Active Member
Add all the watts a system uses, PH's, pumps, heater,lights etc. Divivd that number by 120 (volts). this will give you the total number of amps drawn on a circuit.
Acrylic is right! You can only draw 80% constant load on any one breaker. So a 20 amp breaker can only carry a constant 16 amps and 15= 12 amps. This cushion allows for more draw at start up for whatever appliance.
You can run 15's all you want as long as the draw is sized properly. If your having a new circuit run just have them pull a 12-3 instead of 12-2. Barely a difference in wire size and will give you an added circuit b/c the ground and neutral can be shared.
If you get someone that knows whats up, they can run wires pretty easy. Or you could have them run it in conduit on the exterior of the house up and around to anywhere you want.
HTH
Tim
Acrylic is right! You can only draw 80% constant load on any one breaker. So a 20 amp breaker can only carry a constant 16 amps and 15= 12 amps. This cushion allows for more draw at start up for whatever appliance.
You can run 15's all you want as long as the draw is sized properly. If your having a new circuit run just have them pull a 12-3 instead of 12-2. Barely a difference in wire size and will give you an added circuit b/c the ground and neutral can be shared.
If you get someone that knows whats up, they can run wires pretty easy. Or you could have them run it in conduit on the exterior of the house up and around to anywhere you want.
HTH
Tim
jpc763
Active Member
Originally Posted by TurningTim
Add all the watts a system uses, PH's, pumps, heater,lights etc. Divivd that number by 120 (volts). this will give you the total number of amps drawn on a circuit.
Acrylic is right! You can only draw 80% constant load on any one breaker. So a 20 amp breaker can only carry a constant 16 amps and 15= 12 amps. This cushion allows for more draw at start up for whatever appliance.
You can run 15's all you want as long as the draw is sized properly. If your having a new circuit run just have them pull a 12-3 instead of 12-2. Barely a difference in wire size and will give you an added circuit b/c the ground and neutral can be shared.
If you get someone that knows whats up, they can run wires pretty easy. Or you could have them run it in conduit on the exterior of the house up and around to anywhere you want.
HTH
Tim
Right now I am pulling around 5amps for my tank. My problem happens when our space heater clicks on and the tank lights are on. Breaker trips.
AT this point I am not going to run wire on the outside of the house (violates covenants) I just unplug the space heater.
Add all the watts a system uses, PH's, pumps, heater,lights etc. Divivd that number by 120 (volts). this will give you the total number of amps drawn on a circuit.
Acrylic is right! You can only draw 80% constant load on any one breaker. So a 20 amp breaker can only carry a constant 16 amps and 15= 12 amps. This cushion allows for more draw at start up for whatever appliance.
You can run 15's all you want as long as the draw is sized properly. If your having a new circuit run just have them pull a 12-3 instead of 12-2. Barely a difference in wire size and will give you an added circuit b/c the ground and neutral can be shared.
If you get someone that knows whats up, they can run wires pretty easy. Or you could have them run it in conduit on the exterior of the house up and around to anywhere you want.
HTH
Tim
Right now I am pulling around 5amps for my tank. My problem happens when our space heater clicks on and the tank lights are on. Breaker trips.
AT this point I am not going to run wire on the outside of the house (violates covenants) I just unplug the space heater.
turningtim
Active Member
Running pipe is truly a last resort but any good electrician can run/fish wire pretty much anywhere in the house with little to no damage.
The reason that when the heater comes on its pulls a bunch on power to get it started. It would happen with a TV,Vacuum, Frig etc.
Electric heaters are the biggest draw. But it would seem to me that you are on the outer limits with that heater on a shared circuit....
The reason that when the heater comes on its pulls a bunch on power to get it started. It would happen with a TV,Vacuum, Frig etc.
Electric heaters are the biggest draw. But it would seem to me that you are on the outer limits with that heater on a shared circuit....