How many High Output Strips to one light socket?

[TSW]

I have three light sockets in my garage with just regular 60 or 75 watt bulbs in them, all on one circuit. I want to install 8' long, high output fluorescent strips in their place. Could I safely wire two strips to one socket?

Also, these strips would be flushmounted to the drywall ceiling. I thought I read somewhere that these ballasts could reach high temps of

190 degrees or so. Does anyone know if that is correct?

Thanks

[Joseph Meehan]

Not enough information.

For starters you need to get more information on the specific lighting fixtures you are planning to buy. You need to know the total wattage (lamps and ballast) for each fixture. You also need to check to see if they are designed for direct mount and if they have any special mounting requirements.

Next you need to know if all three of those lamps are on the same circuit. I would guess they are. Likely they are #14 wire so it will handle 15 amps. That should easily handle a 1,000+ watts, assuming there is nothing else on that circuit. Unless you are planning to grow pot in that garage, you should be OK with the power requirements unless you have another heavy load on that circuit. Which is the second bit of information we can not tell from here.

[TSW]

Okay, did some investigating. On that 15 amp circuit, there are the three light sockets (on two switches if that helps), two outlets, and one garage door opener (6.5 amps).

The 8 foot lamps are 110 w each (times 8 if I were to install four fixtures), and the ballasts are 120 v, 60 Hz, with 2.14 amps line current. No special mounting instructions

I'm guessing this means I might not use my opener with four of these fixtures turned on.. or perhaps just barely, and would have to use an outlet from another circuit for certain power tools.

Thoughts?

[Joseph Meehan]

I would rate those fixtures at something around 250 - 300W each as you need to account for the power consumed by the ballast.