135 Oceanic: Electrical Capacity Requirements

beetlejuice · 07/24/2009, 09:22 PM

I have a 76" wide by 19" deep "nook" on one of my living room walls. This "nook" has one electrical outlet with 2 sockets. I want to determine if I need to place this outlet on a dedicated circuit and if that is possible.

My home is a brand new 1200 sq ft condo with cement floors and a parking garage below. I am not worried about the weight because of the cement floor reinforced with I-beams but want to be educated/informed on the electrical requirements.

My living room is on a 15A circuit with numerous outlets on all four walls. The only thing plugged in currently and in the future is my plasma tv with a receiver, bluray player and audio system.

With that said, I have room on the panel for at least two more circuits. The outlet I plan to use will be solely for the tank. How can I calculate the necessary amperage and pending the results, is it possible to put the tank outlet on it's own circuit even though it is already on a "shared" living room circuit?

My tank plans are as follows:

-Oceanic 135 Ultimate Starphire (72.5x18.5x25) Dual Overflows and rated for 1200 gph

- 3x250w HQI Pendant with some form of supplemental actinic

- Mag 12 return (Is there a more energy efficient quality pump?)

- 250W heater

- 1 Vortech MP40w with Battery Backup (My "nook" has space for only one side of the tank to have a Vortech)

- BK Mini 180 Skimmer or equivalent (something with one pump)

- Tunze Osmolator for top off

- Geo KalkReactor

- Power compact refugium Light

- RKE or RK Lite for controlling with 1 DC 8

- 22 gallon finnex for quarantine/frags ( skimmer, return pump, 150w hqi, heater) I may ditch the hqi if it is putting me too close to maxing my amperage out. I may just plug this whole setup into the 2nd socket by itself and use the RK with DC8 for the main tank on the other socket.

I don't anticipate needing any fans on the tank as I have central air and keep the house at low 70s.

So where do I stand or how can I figure this out myself? If it makes a difference I will take the skimmer and hqi off the 22 gallon finnex.

Thanks in advance for your help. I really appreciate it.

addicted2reefin · 07/24/2009, 09:58 PM

i would put it on its own circuit. i used to run a window unit AC on the same circuit and it would always shut off my halides.

beetlejuice · 07/24/2009, 10:19 PM

So it's possible to take an outlet that is already on a shared circuit and move it to it's own circuit? I guess I can just call my electrician.

THE GIMP · 07/24/2009, 10:36 PM

I'm guessing you're at about 11 amps (generously / at the most) with your wish list.

watts = volts x amps or watts / volts = amps.

I am guessing your Plasma runs at about 400 to 450 watts. That is equal to just under 4 amps.

I'd say that you are at the limit of that circuit. Consider that it is suggested that a circuit be used up to 80% of its labeled ampacity.

AcroporAddict · 07/24/2009, 11:53 PM

You need a minimum of two dedicated circuits for your reef as is. If you ever add a chiller you will need a third. Put your lights and Vortech pump on one, and everything else on the other.
Dave

beetlejuice · 07/25/2009, 08:03 AM

My only question is, can I put the existing outlet on it's own circuit, even though it is already on a shared circuit with the rest of the living room?

AcroporAddict · 07/25/2009, 01:55 PM

If this existing outlet is part of a daisy chain of outlets, meaning it gets power from another and feeds another or is the last in the line, you can bypass it by removing the wiring feeding it juice.

Not knowing the finish level of the room, your need to cut drywall, etc may vary, but here is what you do wire wise:

FIRST THING IS TO TURN OFF THE BREAKER OF THE CIRCUIT YOU ARE WORKING ON AT THE BOX (not yelling, just real important)

If the outlet feeds another (in the middle of a chain), get an electrical box, install it on top or below the receptacle, and disconnect the feed wires to and from the outlet. Inside the electrical box, connect the black wires together with a wire nut, the white wires with a wire nut, and the green wires with a wire nut. Close up the electrical box with the cover. This continues any current feeding other outlets on the existing circuit, and keeps the wires safe inside a protective enclsure.

If the outlet is the end of a daisy chain, you should disconnect the wires that feed the outlet you are disconnecting from the chain from the outlet that feeds it. That is the safest way. If you can pull the wire from the feeder outlet to the outlet you are separating, do it, unless there is the possibility you would want to reconnect the chain as it was prior to separating the outlet.
I would not just disonnect the wire to the outlet you are separating and leave the wires hot, even in a separate box, unless you have no other choice. In this case, you install an electrical box like above, cap off the black and white wires with wire nuts, and seal the box with the cover.

You have now separated the outlet from the circuit it was on, and you can run wire for a dedicated circuit from the breaker box to the outlet you just isolated.
Dave

07/24/2009, 09:22 PM	#1
beetlejuice Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 443	135 Oceanic: Electrical Capacity Requirements I have a 76" wide by 19" deep "nook" on one of my living room walls. This "nook" has one electrical outlet with 2 sockets. I want to determine if I need to place this outlet on a dedicated circuit and if that is possible. My home is a brand new 1200 sq ft condo with cement floors and a parking garage below. I am not worried about the weight because of the cement floor reinforced with I-beams but want to be educated/informed on the electrical requirements. My living room is on a 15A circuit with numerous outlets on all four walls. The only thing plugged in currently and in the future is my plasma tv with a receiver, bluray player and audio system. With that said, I have room on the panel for at least two more circuits. The outlet I plan to use will be solely for the tank. How can I calculate the necessary amperage and pending the results, is it possible to put the tank outlet on it's own circuit even though it is already on a "shared" living room circuit? My tank plans are as follows: -Oceanic 135 Ultimate Starphire (72.5x18.5x25) Dual Overflows and rated for 1200 gph - 3x250w HQI Pendant with some form of supplemental actinic - Mag 12 return (Is there a more energy efficient quality pump?) - 250W heater - 1 Vortech MP40w with Battery Backup (My "nook" has space for only one side of the tank to have a Vortech) - BK Mini 180 Skimmer or equivalent (something with one pump) - Tunze Osmolator for top off - Geo KalkReactor - Power compact refugium Light - RKE or RK Lite for controlling with 1 DC 8 - 22 gallon finnex for quarantine/frags ( skimmer, return pump, 150w hqi, heater) I may ditch the hqi if it is putting me too close to maxing my amperage out. I may just plug this whole setup into the 2nd socket by itself and use the RK with DC8 for the main tank on the other socket. I don't anticipate needing any fans on the tank as I have central air and keep the house at low 70s. So where do I stand or how can I figure this out myself? If it makes a difference I will take the skimmer and hqi off the 22 gallon finnex. Thanks in advance for your help. I really appreciate it.

07/24/2009, 10:36 PM	#4
THE GIMP Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Fullerton, California Posts: 694	I'm guessing you're at about 11 amps (generously / at the most) with your wish list. watts = volts x amps or watts / volts = amps. I am guessing your Plasma runs at about 400 to 450 watts. That is equal to just under 4 amps. I'd say that you are at the limit of that circuit. Consider that it is suggested that a circuit be used up to 80% of its labeled ampacity. __________________ AKA: Brando The Electrizian We're gonna need a bigger boat... If its not tied up or in a cage, I'll need a stick! Who is John Galt? Current Tank Info: 180 BB, ATB med ext, 2 Vortechs, Life Reef CARX, RKE, T5

07/24/2009, 09:58 PM	#2
addicted2reefin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: hell, delaware Posts: 628	i would put it on its own circuit. i used to run a window unit AC on the same circuit and it would always shut off my halides.

07/24/2009, 10:19 PM	#3
beetlejuice Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 443	So it's possible to take an outlet that is already on a shared circuit and move it to it's own circuit? I guess I can just call my electrician.

07/24/2009, 11:53 PM	#5
AcroporAddict There is no substitute. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southeast Posts: 2,269	You need a minimum of two dedicated circuits for your reef as is. If you ever add a chiller you will need a third. Put your lights and Vortech pump on one, and everything else on the other. Dave

07/25/2009, 08:03 AM	#6
beetlejuice Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 443	My only question is, can I put the existing outlet on it's own circuit, even though it is already on a shared circuit with the rest of the living room?

07/25/2009, 01:55 PM	#7
AcroporAddict There is no substitute. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southeast Posts: 2,269	If this existing outlet is part of a daisy chain of outlets, meaning it gets power from another and feeds another or is the last in the line, you can bypass it by removing the wiring feeding it juice. Not knowing the finish level of the room, your need to cut drywall, etc may vary, but here is what you do wire wise: FIRST THING IS TO TURN OFF THE BREAKER OF THE CIRCUIT YOU ARE WORKING ON AT THE BOX (not yelling, just real important) If the outlet feeds another (in the middle of a chain), get an electrical box, install it on top or below the receptacle, and disconnect the feed wires to and from the outlet. Inside the electrical box, connect the black wires together with a wire nut, the white wires with a wire nut, and the green wires with a wire nut. Close up the electrical box with the cover. This continues any current feeding other outlets on the existing circuit, and keeps the wires safe inside a protective enclsure. If the outlet is the end of a daisy chain, you should disconnect the wires that feed the outlet you are disconnecting from the chain from the outlet that feeds it. That is the safest way. If you can pull the wire from the feeder outlet to the outlet you are separating, do it, unless there is the possibility you would want to reconnect the chain as it was prior to separating the outlet. I would not just disonnect the wire to the outlet you are separating and leave the wires hot, even in a separate box, unless you have no other choice. In this case, you install an electrical box like above, cap off the black and white wires with wire nuts, and seal the box with the cover. You have now separated the outlet from the circuit it was on, and you can run wire for a dedicated circuit from the breaker box to the outlet you just isolated. Dave