Is My Calculation for Lighting Circuit Load and Current Correct?

[opmal7]

It's been a while since I had my last circuits class, so I'm just looking for some verification on my calculations. I have a series of lights that I want to combine to 1 circuit (if possible).

Each light fixture has 2 bulbs, and I have a total of 12 fixtures, meaning 24 bulbs. I am using 32W fluorescent light bulbs. To find the total load I multiply the 32W per bulb by 24 (# of bulbs) and get 768W. Now I want to find the current, so I divide the power by voltage. 768W/120V=6.4 Amps.

The lights will be running on a 20A breaker, and code allows me to load the break to 0.8*Rating. 0.8*20=16A. So the 6.4 Amps that I will be pulling, will be safely less than the 16A I should not exceed. Does that sound right, or is there something I'm forgetting?

Thanks!

 

[berkeman]

It's been a while since I had my last circuits class, so I'm just looking for some verification on my calculations. I have a series of lights that I want to combine to 1 circuit (if possible).

Each light fixture has 2 bulbs, and I have a total of 12 fixtures, meaning 24 bulbs. I am using 32W fluorescent light bulbs. To find the total load I multiply the 32W per bulb by 24 (# of bulbs) and get 768W. Now I want to find the current, so I divide the power by voltage. 768W/120V=6.4 Amps.

The lights will be running on a 20A breaker, and code allows me to load the break to 0.8*Rating. 0.8*20=16A. So the 6.4 Amps that I will be pulling, will be safely less than the 16A I should not exceed. Does that sound right, or is there something I'm forgetting?

Thanks!

Since they are flourescent lamps, do you know what their startup current is? That may end up giving you a higher peak/initial current.