Post here for wiring/electrical help: Lights, Dimmers, Timer

[fkalb]

So i figured with all the great help Ive been getting from everybody on this site i would throw the offer out there Im an electrician so if anyone has any questions about wiring methods, compatibility, help with splicing, dimmer and timer questions, etc feel free to ask, Id be more than happy to help. Ive seen a few pictures around (not on this site) of some pretty hokey wiring jobs in vivariums lol, would love to see a nice safe job.. dont want beardies pad burnin down now right :wink:

 

[diggerdrake]

one question that may be on peoples minds is about the T-12 tubes and ballasts. coming in july 2010 the magnetic ballasts will be no more. the T-8 bulb will fit in the fixture for a T-12 running the T-12 ballast with the T-8 tube, will it reduce the life of the tube?

 

[fkalb]

Yeah electronic ballasts are now the norm. Many reasons why they are better - More efficient, no humming, near instant start in colder temps, lighter, etc. T-8s generally run more efficient and give out more light for wattage rating, and have longer life. As for running a T-8 in a T-12 fixture and ballast, yeah it will fit because the only differences are the diameters: T-8s are 1" in diameter and T-12s are 1.5". It could run fine for awhile, but the life of the tube will without a doubt be shorter because you are over driving it. It might flicker and do some other strange things so i wouldn't recommend it.

 

[joeyb504]

how do i wire household flourescent fixtures and or floodlight to to an extension cord

 

[diggerdrake]

So i figured with all the great help Ive been getting from everybody on this site i would throw the offer out there Im an electrician so if anyone has any questions about wiring methods, compatibility, help with splicing, dimmer and timer questions, etc feel free to ask, Id be more than happy to help. Ive seen a few pictures around (not on this site) of some pretty hokey wiring jobs in vivariums lol, would love to see a nice safe job.. dont want beardies pad burnin down now right :wink:

While not being certified I do know a lot about wiring. Hopefully this thread will help many that need the proper direction. Thanks for setting up this thread. I actually did a little research concerning the T-12 vs T-8 and just wanted a proclaimed pro to confirm my findings

 

[TazzysMamma]

Ok probably a DUMB question here, but how would a T-8 do in a 'standard' fluorescent fixture? I mean like the ones that are installed in kitchen ceilings and such? I know NOTHING about them, so was wondering if I could do that?

Thanks so much!!!

Sandi

 

[fkalb]

how do i wire household flourescent fixtures and or floodlight to to an extension cord

Well extension cords are not really 'meant' to be cut and wired on to.. not approved.. sure it can be done but theres better ways. Approved wire such as loomex, bx, cabtire are what you would want to use if you want to do it right. What exactly are you wanting to do? Wire the lights straight into a plug or do you want to have a switch in there aswell?

Ok probably a DUMB question here, but how would a T-8 do in a 'standard' fluorescent fixture? I mean like the ones that are installed in kitchen ceilings and such? I know NOTHING about them, so was wondering if I could do that?

Thanks so much!!!

Sandi

Well if the fixture you are installing it into is meant for a T-8 lamp than there are no problems, keep in mind many of the kitchen or household fixutres are meant for two tubes. Space wise those tend to be larger and more ackward than just an open T-8 strip fixure like you would want in a viv

 

[joeyb504]

how do i wire household flourescent fixtures and or floodlight to to an extension cord

Well extension cords are not really 'meant' to be cut and wired on to.. not approved.. sure it can be done but theres better ways. Approved wire such as loomex, bx, cabtire are what you would want to use if you want to do it right. What exactly are you wanting to do? Wire the lights straight into a plug or do you want to have a switch in there aswell?

Ok probably a DUMB question here, but how would a T-8 do in a 'standard' fluorescent fixture? I mean like the ones that are installed in kitchen ceilings and such? I know NOTHING about them, so was wondering if I could do that?

Thanks so much!!!

Sandi

Well if the fixture you are installing it into is meant for a T-8 lamp than there are no problems, keep in mind many of the kitchen or household fixutres are meant for two tubes. Space wise those tend to be larger and more ackward than just an open T-8 strip fixure like you would want in a viv

straight to a plug

 

[kinky]

i'm looking for a 36inch fluorescent fitting in the UK, i really don't know what to look for. can anyone help?

 

[Buggsy]

How can i wire a CHE up with a dimmer? im not sure what i need to get and exactly what to do when ive got it!

Cheers

 

[SaintDavid]

much to what was asked before. How exactly would one go about wiring the T-8 Fixture to a plug that could go directly into the wall?? This seems like a very important topic and question and I have looked high and low and could not get an answer. I want to know how to do it properly so I don't hurt the beardie.

Also, Crossfire uses a wiring to an extension cord which you seem to suggest not to do. Just wanted to clarify what you thought was best.

-Thanx
-Drew

 

[fkalb]

I will take pics of what i did and explain it.. just on my way out so next time i have a couple spare moments ill take those pics and post them

 

[sfx606]

Hello, I bought a dimmer switch because my basking light was too hot on its own but the only problem is, I have no clue how to wire it with the light. Its a trimatron dimmer and has the dial to dim it. There are 2 sets of wires, one set consisting of red and gree, the other being black and red. One set is on one side of the dimmer and the other set is on the other side. What wires will I be using and where?

 

[fkalb]

Are the wires labeled? Usually there will be a tag on the wires or a mark on the back where they leave the dimmer case. If not.. it should of came with a spec sheet saying which is which. Have a look.. let me know what it says

 

[fkalb]

My digi camera is acting up so im still waiting to take pics of the viv how i wired it. Any more info on that dimmer wiring info?

as for this..

much to what was asked before. How exactly would one go about wiring the T-8 Fixture to a plug that culd go directly into the wall?? This seems like a very important topic and question and I have looked high and low and could not get an answer. I want to know how to do it properly so I don't hurt the beardie.

Also, Crossfire uses a wiring to an extension cord which you seem to suggest not to do. Just wanted to clarify what you thought was best.

-Thanx
-Drew

How to wire a flourescent fixture to a plug

Fairly simple to do right, should be able to get most of the supplies from a hardware store. I would recommend the use of cabtire for wire, it is fairly durable and meant for this use. Most good quality extension cords are made of this sort of wire. I will add some pics and explain with as much detail as possible, try to make things easier to understand

I used cab tire (trade name) 14/3 - The wire jacket is fairly durable rubber and nice and flexible, each individual conductor is stranded and has a flexible jacket. The 14 means the conductors are size 14 on the AWG (american wire guage - a north american standard of wire size), The 3 means there are three conductors a white/black/green. Here is a pic of a chunk of cabtire

CABTIRE

***FYI - For most other wire used, the ground (green or bare) is normally not counted so if you look at loomex/romex (type of residential wire) it would be called 14/2 (14 AWG and 2 conductors.. there actually three conductors.. neutral - white, hot - black, ground - bare), Or 14/3 (14 AWG and 3 conductors.. neutral - white, hot - black, hot - red, ground - care). In Loomex the ground is bare, in cabtire it has a green insulation.

LOOMEX/ROMEX

As for connectors (names may vary by region but function stays the same :wink. Your fixture most likely comes with a 1/2 " knockout, punch it out with a screwdriver or fair of pliers. Id recommend the following connector

METAL TWO SCREW CONNECTOR

The connector will have a locknut, undo locknut, insert connector into 1/2" hole in fixture, screw locknut on nice and tight. The locknut end goes in the INSIDE of the fixutre. Strip needed amount of outer (black) sheathing off, feed wires through into fixture and leave about 1/4" of sheathing in fixture for the connector to clamp down into (so your not clamping directly onto the wire. Do not over tighten the screws and risk damaging the conductors, just enough so the wire wont pull out of the fixture. Connect the wires accordingly inside the fixure, should be BLACK to BLACK, WHITE to WHITE, GREEN (ground) to ground wire or ground screw. There are plastic connectors available to but those metal two screws are my favourite.

Annnnddd now the other end (which plugs in to wall outlet). You will need a male plug, looks like this..

MALE PLUG

Remove about 2 inches of black outer sheathing and feed into rear of the plug (see pic below), Strip ends of each conductor, connect BLACK conductor to BRASS screw, WHITE conductor to the SHINY screw, GREEN conudctor to GREEN screw. Make sure screws are nice and tight, screw down clamp on the end of plug to ensure wire cant be yanked out.

<-- **Not to confuse.. Their wire is grey, yours will most likely be black.

So make sure connections are tight, strap excess wire in viv so its nice and neat, safe, and out of the way. You should be good to go! If any of the above is confusing let me know and ill try to make more sense of it 8)