total power consumption too much for 1 outlet?

[bilge rat]

Is it better (to prevent poppin breaker) to split total power consumption between separate outlets on separate walls vs. using 1 outlet for all power consumption???
And am I running too much off of just 1 outlet???

Currently everything runs off one standard wall outlet, each outlet plug has 1 power strip which is full.
Here are the specs on the timer/power strip from DFS for one plug of outlet;
“Dual has 7 timer-controlled (3 daytime, 2 actinic, and 2 lunar lights) and 1 constant-power outlets to sequence daylight, actinic, and lunar lights for the ultimate reef lighting system. Features: Sliding safety covers, 3 ft power cord with grounded plug. 15 amp 120 volt (1875 watt max) circuit breaker. UL-Listed. Dual 3" x 13" 1-1/2" high.”
Here’s what I have in the above specified timed power strip from DFS;

Main light-
2- single bulb T5 24’ W/B 10,000k (in main light strip with MH)
1- 150w 20,000k HQI (MH)
2- DFS lunar light modules each“ consumes less than 1 watt of
power” ---mod---
2- Spire 40x40x20mm case fans, current A 0.14 A ---mod---

Fuge Light-
2- single bulb T5’ HE 14w 10,000k (fuge)

4” cooling fan-
1- 4" fan 120Vac 60Hz 0.3A (to cool MH ballast box) ---mod---
1-mj900 8.5 Watts (same strip untimed plug)

*mj900 runs continuously
*All of the T5’s (main light and fuge) are on from 7am-7pm
*Everything else on this strip is timed to come on simultaneously from 10am-6pm

The second power strip/surge protector is a basic cheapie from wally world, it has;
1-Lifetech AP2000 AC 110V 60Hz 25w (stock pump)
2-Hydor Koralia 1 3.5w
2-Stealth 120V 60Hz 100w heaters

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!
joshuah

 

[BurntOutReefer]

short answer...yes. Its best to spread the load.

 

[jepuskar]

The longer answer would involve....knowing how your house is wired and what circuits are where. Chances are each circuit is on a 15amp breaker...however that could be shared between many outlets...just because an outlet is on a different wall doesnt means on a different circuit.

The best way for you to check is to plug in two lights into different outlets....find the breaker that controls one of them...trip it...if both lights go out they are on the same circuit...so plugging more stuff into either of them is like using just one.

J

 

[Gimpster]

I believe the general rule of thumb is one circuit for each room and a dedicated circuit for some appliances. My brother-in-law is an electrition as is one of my friends and I have helped them wire a house or two.

If you are running a power hungry setup it might be wise to run a dedicated set of circuits for the aquarium and its equipment. Currently I am running my computer and aquarium off a single power outlet ( two connections ). On the same circuit is a TV and the lizard's setup as well. I have never popped the circuit.

 

[dr.darkness]

I agree with jepuskar,my living room and bedroom are on the same circuit so if I were to spread out the load I would have extension cords running all over my house.Everything is fine btw.

 

[rob28]

Just add up your wattage.If y=the circiut is overloaded it would have already tripped the breaker...It's better to spread it between 2 circuits in case something malfunctions and tripps the breaker...Make sure you have pumps And pwerheads split up if possible,At least if something does go out you still have circulation in your tank.An electrician will help you run a split receptical...Meaning You would have 2 plugs side by side in the same box but they are on seperate circuits...Remember one circuit can have up to 10 household plugs run to it....You may be hard pressed to overload it with one tank....Hope thes helps...My Grandfathers an electrician and set up my plugs for my tank...

 

[skeeter_ca]

I just added up you equipment and it looks like a ball park figure of around 535watts or 4.5 amps. You should always double the amperage to allow for start up spikes and surges. That would make it 9 amps. If your using an outlet that has nothing else on that circiut it should be just fine.

Alot of times that circiut will share the outlets on the other side of the wall in that room too. Most houses will have the same circuit suppling two walls in a room and the outlets on the other side of those walls. You can easily overload a circuit if you don't know what else is on it.

I installed two 20 amp dedicated circuits for my aquarium.

 

[alexb518]

if you're blowing breakers, then yes. if you'e not blowing breakers, then you should be fine...just don't hook up any coil heaters in the winter...that is a sure blow. the other concern is to split the load up on different power strips. i actually learned this lesson the hard way. i had everthing going to one power strip that shorted and the fuse/breaker on it never gave--result: electrical fire...just a lot of smoke, but caused a lot of smoke damage. yeah, yeah, i know...i was a teenager when i did that stupid move. long long time ago.

 

[Randall_James]

I think Skeeter hit it nuts on....

 

[LarryW]

yeah, you will want to determine what is on the circuit. In my house, the tank is located in an alcove in the living room. well the power is connected to the breaker that runs my TV gear... So I decided to have 2 dedicated 20A breakers installed wired with GFCI outlets behind the tank. This gives me more then enough juice to run my setup.

 

[bilge rat]

great sounds like im ok.
just am trying to cover all bases as it were with this new setup.
Its an outside wall and the only outlet on that wall, but this is a rental and somewhat old.
Thanks for chiming in everyone!
joshuah

 

[skeeter_ca]

Oh Yeah,
I do have gfi's on all the lights and heaters just in case. I don't on the pumps because i don't want them to trip and shut my circulation down. I guess you would call it a calculated risk!

Be careful with old houses or apartments and check to see what breakers go to what outlets. I had a house that only had 4 breakers for the entire house. If i sneezed hard a breaker would trip. LOL.

 

[t-bone2]

its all about the amps looks ok