electricity loading. how many amps

[dave48]

Hello. Just setting up a new 5ft tank and struggling with the electrical requirements. Ive got a twin electric socket with a multipoint extension connected to each socket.
Each extension is rated maximum 13 amps. giving me 26 amps to play with. So far Ive got a return pump rated at 10 amps, a skimmer rated at 8 amps and a heater at 5 amps = 23 amps.
that only leaves me 3 amps left for lighting, wavemakers and anything else I may add. The amp ratings especially for the skimmer and return pump seem ridiculously high for what are a couple of very small pumps. Am I missing something??? Any help appreciated - I am no electrician!

 

[KStatefan]

Those numbers seem off. A pump that draws 10 amps is big.

Most house duplex outlets are on a 15 amp circuit so you can not add together the extension ratings.

 

[Gtinnel]

The return pump for my 125g tank is currently running at 20watts, which should be just under .2 amps. So unless you are running some huge AC return pump I agree that your numbers are probably wrong.

Also don’t forget that assuming your outlets are on a single circuit you will be limited by your house wiring and breaker, which are commonly 20amp.

 

[Reef802]

Can you expand on your "socket" explanation? Assuming it's a standard 20A duplex receptacle served by a single 20 amp breaker, continuous loading is 16 amps max.

Agree that the numbers for pump and skimmer are very high.

 

[StatelineReefer]

giving me 26 amps to play with.

No. Your amp rating will be determined by the circuit breaker, You absolutely will not have 26 amps running through most walls, unless your building is seriously overbuilt with 10 gauge wire in the conduit.

So far Ive got a return pump rated at 10 amps

10a @110v = 1100 watts. Verify your wattage/draw, it should be clearly labeled on the pump itself.

, a skimmer rated at 8 amps

That would be a very large skimmer indeed.

and a heater at 5 amps

550w heater makes sense, but is probably overkill.

= 23 amps.

Your calculations add up, but I fear the math may be missing important numbers in the equation.

that only leaves me 3 amps left for lighting, wavemakers and anything else I may add.

The amp ratings especially for the skimmer and return pump seem ridiculously high for what are a couple of very small pumps. Am I missing something??? Any help appreciated - I am no electrician!

Are you sure there are not decimal points in front of those pump ratings?

 

[dave48]

Thanks for your help and I agree I am wrong to double up those two extension cables
However I think I am indeed using the wrong figures for amp draw on each item
The heater is a 500 watt unit so that one is maybe correct but the return pump is a TMC reef pump 2000 and I got the amp rating from the back of the ac/dc converter which on reflection can not be the rating of the pump itself. On checking the pump itself it’s only 0.38 max draw. The skimmer is probably less again so I think Ihave plenty of spare capacity after all ! doh….