| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
soundsurfer 
Guest
Joined: January 14 2008
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 478
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: HOT wires
Posted: March 10 2008 at 11:22pm |
|
I plugged my 3X250 watt metal halide fixture in and ran for about an hour. When i went to unplug the fixture from the wall I noticed the wires were running really hot. The plug already had a little burned/maybe melted look on the base of the male part of the socket before I had ever ran them(they were used). How would I keep this from being a serious problem?
|
 |
pa_reptileman_4
Guest
Joined: August 22 2007
Location: kunsan, korea
Status: Offline
Points: 2733
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 10 2008 at 11:39pm |
|
its a serious problem maybe rewire them, or have more isulation on the wires, i really dont know i dont have this problem
|
|
pitiful guppy tank.
shane
|
|
bbeck4x4
Guest
Joined: June 22 2005
Location: Spanish Fork
Status: Offline
Points: 2378
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 10 2008 at 11:46pm |
|
how long is the cord, luckily you avoided a fire tonight, was the cord plugged into a power strip first?
if it was plugged directly into the wall you need a larger gauge wire, with out knowing what gauge that you have now, it will be hard to recommend the correct gauge for what you need.
|
|
bbeck4x4
Guest
Joined: June 22 2005
Location: Spanish Fork
Status: Offline
Points: 2378
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 10 2008 at 11:55pm |
|
my 250 watt MH are showing 2.3 amps per ballast/lamp so 7 amps total, thats not a lot, most 14 gauge wire should handle it fine, i'd change it to 12 just to be safe,(it depends on the length of wire though) do you have a amp meter to see what the combo is pulling? If you are close I can check it for you.
Brian
|
|
soundsurfer
Guest
Joined: January 14 2008
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 478
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 11 2008 at 2:24am |
 bbeck4x4 wrote:
my 250 watt MH are showing 2.3 amps per ballast/lamp so 7 amps total, thats not a lot, most 14 gauge wire should handle it fine, i'd change it to 12 just to be safe,(it depends on the length of wire though) do you have a amp meter to see what the combo is pulling? If you are close I can check it for you.
Brian
|
Yeah, they were plugged in through a power strip in the previous place, and I had them plugged in a power strip as well. I have been running the PC's through the fixutre and absolutely cool....temp wise. Yeah. I'd be worried breaking into a built fixture and cutting wires. Let me know how what you think....im in provo
|
|
bbeck4x4
Guest
Joined: June 22 2005
Location: Spanish Fork
Status: Offline
Points: 2378
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 11 2008 at 7:58am |
|
give me a call 420-0505 and I will stop by, just don't run the lights (at least the MH) unattended without knowing what that amp draw is. I can stop by anytime during the day or this evening.
Brian
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 11 2008 at 1:24pm |
If the wire is warmest near the plug, it's probably a bad connection at the plug. A bad connection can heat up the wire at the plug and then the wire can draw the heat, becoming warm to the touch up to 2 feet from the plug. To correct this, simply redo the wires in the plug or if it's a molded plug, cut it off and install a new grounded plug.
If the entire length of wire from plug to fixture is all the same hot temperature then it's drawing too much current for the size of wire. Then you either have the wrong wire or a faulty ballast.
Edited by Mark Peterson - March 11 2008 at 1:25pm
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
|
soundsurfer
Guest
Joined: January 14 2008
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 478
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 11 2008 at 1:27pm |
Cool. Brian (Bbeck4x4) came over and checked it out. I am going to change out the wire for a more correct guage. He was super helpful...and suprisingly I have ran into him at my gym a few number of times. He works a block from me. Hopefully when I change out the wire it will keep it cool. I don't want any faulty ballasts. Thanks for the help as well Mark....I love this site. Everyone is awesome 
|
|
