Can i run 2 security lights off the same socket?

[Monkeh]

Yes, if you have the correctly rated cable for the current drawn by the lights( both new & exsisting ) & the correct size fuse in the plug, then you can do as you ask. You need to supply lamp ratings & current cable size, plus run length to the new lamp, for any further advice.

The new light is 150W and i think the other is 500W
Pretty sure ive got 3 core flex 1.5mm x 10 metres long
And the plug has a 13amp fuse

Reading the instructions it recommends using a 5amp fuse in the new light

Both lamps are 150w just found the instructions for the lamp thats up.

So even though it will be powering 2 lamps is it still a 5amp fuse?

What's the result of 300 / 230?

 

[elrobbo82]

3A or 5A will be fine. if both lamps are 150W your max current would be 300W / 230V = 1.4A.

the fuse is there to protect the cable not the fitting!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yup - 300W is less than 1.5A.

 

[Monkeh]

3A or 5A will be fine. if both lamps are 150W your max current would be 300W / 230V = 1.4A.

I think your calculator is faulty.

 

[elrobbo82]

3A or 5A will be fine. if both lamps are 150W your max current would be 300W / 230V = 1.4A.

I think your calculator is faulty.

i always round up never down when calculating amps actual answer is 1.3043 and so on, so as i only went 1 decimal place i rounded up. sorry for the confusion. don't think it matters though as 3A or 5A will suffice.

 

[Monkeh]

3A or 5A will be fine. if both lamps are 150W your max current would be 300W / 230V = 1.4A.

I think your calculator is faulty.

i always round up never down when calculating amps actual answer is 1.3043 and so on, so as i only went 1 decimal place i rounded up. sorry for the confusion. don't think it matters though as 3A or 5A will suffice.

That's one huge and pointless rounding up. Rounding up or down should be done as appropriate, not on a whim.

But yes, a 5A fuse would be an appropriate choice.

 

[elrobbo82]

That's one huge and pointless rounding up. Rounding up or down should be done as appropriate, not on a whim.

But yes, a 5A fuse would be an appropriate choice.

or indeed 3A!

i could have rounded up to 2A still wouldn't have made a difference would it!

 

[Monkeh]

i could have rounded up to 2A still wouldn't have made a difference would it!

It's the principle.

 

[elrobbo82]

i could have rounded up to 2A still wouldn't have made a difference would it!

It's the principle.

what if the max was 3.09A would you protect with a 3A and round it down? or would you protect with a 5A?

 

[Monkeh]

i could have rounded up to 2A still wouldn't have made a difference would it!

It's the principle.

what if the max was 3.09A would you protect with a 3A and round it down? or would you protect with a 5A?

Uh, no, I'd round it up to 3.1A. And I'd round 3.04A down to 3A. Just as I round 1.3043 to 1.3, not 1.4.

This whole rounding thing new to you?

 

[elrobbo82]

obviously not but if i was choosing a protective device and my design current was 3.043 i would protect with a 5A fuse. i think we are getting a bit bogged down in an unnecessary point.

3A or 5A would be fine!

 

[RMS]

Have to agree with Monkeh here.

Maths is maths and you should understand the principle of rounding up or down accordingly.

This is basic stuff elrobbo, you know the "batteries and magnets" sort of stuff.

 

[Monkeh]

obviously not but if i was choosing a protective device and my design current was 3.043 i would protect with a 5A fuse.

As would I, to allow for inrush. That still doesn't change that it's properly rounded to 3A (and .043A is such a tiny amount it's insignificant).

 

[RMS]

As would I, to allow for inrush.

Inrush, Halogen lamp

 

[Monkeh]

As would I, to allow for inrush.

Inrush, Halogen lamp

In general. I'm not talking about any specific load here.