Electrical question

[mojoreef]

If you wired a MH with a larger guage wire then what the manufacture used would that effect anything??


Mike

 

[Illusion]

Mike.. It should be fine wiring with larger wire... Its when you start using smaller wire is when you have to worry... But dont just take my word for it...

James

 

[wrightme43]

Wont hurt nothing. Bigger wire is fine. Smaller wire is not fine. Steve

 

[Ohgee]

Actually utilizing larger wire can decrease the amperage usage if it's a long wire run. By Code you only need to run 14ga up to 15 amps but 12ga will decrease the amperage load as well as some heating problems.

It all has to do with the resistance of the wire and a larger Ga equals smaller number and more strands and less overall resistance.

Hope that helps without confusing.

Duane

 

[mojoreef]

Hmm I have a MH that I moved and rewired, I used a larger guage wire, it might be a little longer to, and it is much dimmer. WOuld that sound like an effect of what you are talking about Ohgee??


Mike

 

[reefer]

How big of wire and how long? If it's not abnormally big you will be fine. Most houses are wired with 14 ga for 15 amp circuits, and 12 ga for 20 amp. Even if you ran 10 ga which is big you will not have a problem and will not cause noticable resistance.

 

[Ohgee]

actually no Mike, If anything I would think it would have gotten brighter due to the larger gauge wire. Unless we are talking say an additional 20' of wire. If you simply added ~5ft then going say from 14ga to 12ga it shouldn't have made a differance.

I would start by looking at maybe the wirenuts or connector you used to splice the wire. You might not have a good connection. Be sure your wire is stripped about 1/2" and are twisted together well before the nut goes on. That might help alleviate the problem.

Wish I were closer to you, I could bring my amp gauge over find out for sure but that would be my best guess.

Sorry can't be more help Mike

Duane

 

[les]

Mike,
Unless you added over 100 feet of wire and did not upsize it then you MAY have a problem with voltage drop.(lower voltage = higher amperage) This is really a concern though with motor loads due to inrush current at start up. (like your chiller compressor). Up sizing the wire will not increase your light output unless your wiring was poor to begin with and you had voltage issues. The best way to tell if you are having to much voltage drop is to check it with an ampmeter. If you are drawing more than the stated amperage for that unit under normal loading then you may have a problem that needs attention before causing a bigger problem.
I agree that you should check your wire connections, a poor connection will cause a voltage drop in a big way. You may also want to verify there are no stray wires that may be causing a partial ground.

 

[Scooterman]

http://www.elec-toolbox.com/calculators/voltdrop.htm

Mike ever question wiring size use this little calc. it is easy to understand & use.