How many watts can a standard light socket support?

BobMarlay · Apr 17, 2011

In the area where I plan on having my 400 watt hps grow has no plugin outlet available. There is only a light socket, I have one of these lightsocket adapters that converts a lightsocket into an outlet. Do you think I would be able to run my 400 Watt hps, and an oscilating fan safely? Without the risk of fire?

Mother's Finest · Apr 17, 2011

The exact answer to your question depends on a number of factors. All proper household wiring running at 120v can handle at least 1800w, and so all light sockets should handle at least that much. You should check the socket, it's package, call a store that sells it at or call the company that makes it to find out for certain how many amps it is made to withstand. A 400w & an occilating fan will use about four amps @120v.

BobMarlay · Apr 17, 2011

Ill just take that as a yes, it is a 120v, and I wont even be getting near to 1800 watts. Most watts I will use is 600-700, thanks!

Gamberro · Apr 17, 2011

Running through the lights.... Wow, this sounds DANGEROUSLY sketchy, I use one of those in my pantry closet. Definitely check the power ratings on that device as well, no? I don't want to sound negative at all, I am used to way higher power usage, but hey.

maxpesh · Apr 17, 2011

Well you plug your Kettle in to boil water and that uses anything between 1800 and 2500 watts

Gamberro · Apr 17, 2011

Not into a light socket, I don't.

robmills · Apr 17, 2011

I would take the light socket out and add a plug outlet. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if i had anything over 100 watts running through a simple light socket. A plug is design for higher output.

toastycookies · Apr 17, 2011

you could get away with running the fan on that thing, but not the hps ballast... for fuck sakes man, running a ballast without a ground is NOT a smart idea. rip out the light socket and install a GROUNDED outlet. doing what you have proposed is just asking for an electrical fire.

Jeffdt1966 · Apr 17, 2011

There are surley more electrical items also running on this same circuit ... I personally would add a breaker to the electric box and run a new wire to your area...make a few new recepticles and sleep peacfully knowing your not gonna burn your house down trying to grow some stash ........

redeye75 · Apr 17, 2011

those lamp holders are rated at 125 - 660 watts, so pulling 400watts is dangerous imo... That cheap adapter may not be able to handle the load being passed through it over time and will possibly melt down and arc, hopefully just blowing the breaker and not burning your house down or killing you if it arcs and there is no ground for the voltage to follow.

kush714 · Apr 17, 2011

You must have a ground on the ballast, for saftey reasons. I would install a receptacle or a 12 gauge power cable.

Gamberro · Apr 17, 2011

As you can see by now, this is pretty much the perfect example of what NOT to do. Unless of course you like it "hot hot hot" and your house "gone gone gone".

redeye75 · Apr 17, 2011

If you do decide to take out the light fixture and install a receptacle you will need to know the size of the wire feeding the box and the breakers amp rating. 14 gauge/15 amp circuits need a 15amp rated receptacle and a 12 gauge/20 amp circuit needs a 20 amp rated receptacle No Exceptions.. ELECTRICITY IS NOT A GAME AND SHORTCUTS SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN!!!! YOUR HOUSE AND LIVES ARE IN DANGER IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE PROPER CODE WHEN DEALING WITH ELECTRICITY!!!

cowboylogic · Apr 17, 2011

Lack of a ground is the only issue I see...

redeye75 · Apr 17, 2011

cowboylogic said:
Lack of a ground is the only issue I see...

Which is why you shouldn't comment...

BobMarlay · Apr 17, 2011

Reading these comments made me realize how stupid this idea actually is, I guess I will run a 12 gauge power cable, and plug the other end in the outlet in the other room.

A 12 guage power cable is this right?

Would that be acceptable?

redeye75 · Apr 17, 2011

BobMarlay said:
Reading these comments made me realize how stupid this idea actually is, I guess I will run a 12 gauge power cable, and plug the other end in the outlet in the other room.

A 12 guage power cable is this right?

Would that be acceptable?

Depends on how far you are going to run it.. I wouldnt use more than a 6 foot extension cord...

KawiZZR · Apr 17, 2011

BobMarlay said:
Reading these comments made me realize how stupid this idea actually is, I guess I will run a 12 gauge power cable, and plug the other end in the outlet in the other room.

A 12 guage power cable is this right?

Would that be acceptable?

Might want to get a heavy duty surge protector/power strip if you have very far to go, just in case. I'd rather trust a good one of those with a 6' cord than a basic extension cord and it shouldn't cost too much more.

Gamberro · Apr 18, 2011

IDK, the ratings on those cords are better than you would expect, and he's just using a little light.

Jstauss · Aug 13, 2020

Thank everyone for the comments

How many watts can a standard light socket support?

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