How many lights can you put on a circuit with a ceiling fan?

Answer 1

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

Remember you can now use Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), which take only 1/5 of the power of conventional light bulbs, without having to rewire your light fittings...

See the related question and answer about CFLs.

If you are following the NEC code (most popular in the USA) 14 guage wiring for general purpose lighting can not be protected at 20 amps. 15 amps is the maximum.

Designing for constant loading, a 15 amp circuit would allow for a total of 1440 volt-amperes (roughly equal to wattage)

The amount of fixtures that can be connected to this circuit depends on the MAXIMUM wattage rating of each fixture. For example, if the fixtures you are using are rated max 150 watts (even though you are only putting in 75 watt lamps for now) you must perform the calculation based on 1440 divided by 150 which is 9.6, or 9 fixtures.

If the maximum rating of the fixtures is 75 watts, then the answer would be 1440 divided by 75 = 19.2, or 19 fixtures.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 2

It all depends on how many watts they burn. If you have 110V power, and a 15 Amp breaker, you can put 110*15 = 1650 watts of lighting on the circuit and it will be right on the tripping point - assuming all the lights are on at the same time - so you may want to keep it below 1650 watts. Remember to always use properly rated wire!

Answer 3

Legally there is no law on this (under UK law) However, you will know if there are too many as this will cause the breaker to trip 'breaking' the circuit, and thus telling you there are too many

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In the US, circuit conductor size and circuit breaker size are calculated before installation. If you are doing modification you should get the help of a professional in calculating what your installed wiring will safely allow.

Answer 4

Asking how many lights can be connected to a single switch is like asking "How long is a piece of string?".

It is impossible to give a general answer because the total number of lights that can be installed will depend on the wattage and therefore the amperage drawn by each light and also on whether or not they will all be switched on together at the same times of day or night.

The total amperage of the lights you want to use together at any one time must also be related to the safe load current of the circuit breaker on your lighting circuit.

<><><>

As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 5

Depends on if it is a 15 amp or 20 amp circuit. You can install no more than 12 outlets on a 20 amp circuit or 9 outlets on a 15 amp circuit. You can install no more than 1920 watts on a 20 amp lighting circuit or 1440 watts on a 15 amp lighting circuit. If it is a 20 amp circuit I would not install any more than 8 outlets and 4 lights. If it is a 15 amp circuit I would not install any more than 6 outlets and 3 lights. This only applies to living spaces like bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and not to kitchens, baths, utility rooms, garages, etc.

Answer 6

C9 lights are 9watts each. On a unused 120v 15A circuit, you could use about 200 lights.