Wattage of an electric timer.

[dspeed]

I was thinking of replacing my outside security light (300W) with a simple plug in segment electric timer and low energy bulb. Question - Is the wattage of the timer greater than the wattage of the low energy bulb ? I've Googled this question for many an hour with no results on the watts used by a plug in segment timer.

Thank you.

[John]

I guess insignificant - small synchronous motor as in old clocks. Isn't there a data plate or anything embossed? (My guess is 2 watts)

[geoff]

In message , dspeed writes

It's f*ck all of a gnat's kneecap

HTH

[dspeed]

The data plate only mentions the capacity of the device - 13A Resistive load and 2A inductive.

My current light is at the bottom end of the garden and is used to keep an eye on our naughty dog. The current nightly usage is approx 300 watts per night. Proposed usage is Timer 2 watts x 24hrs = 48 watts + Light bulb 11 watts x 5hrs = 55 watts - Total = 103 watts.

Thanks.

[dspeed]

security light (300W) with a

We get lots of gnats around here ! So, you reckon 2 watts is about right ?

Thanks

[cupra]

I tried one on my energy meter last night and it didn't even register 1W....

[John Rumm]

Probably uses way less than that. If in doubt, get a digital one. These will use less since they have no moving parts etc (other than a relay).

[Andrew Gabriel]

Do you really want a timer, as opposed to one that comes on when it's dark? (i.e. photocell)

[dspeed]

Hi, I've read that photocell and low energy bulbs don't play well together ?

Thanks

[Andrew Gabriel]

There are ones that are fine -- one with a connection to the neutral and an internal relay, as used in streetlamps.

[David Hansen]

On Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:09:16 -0000 someone who may be dspeed wrote this:-

They have been used together for decades.

One can even buy everything in one box

just one product which does this. There are a number of others.

[manatbandq]

Not quite. Power x time is Watt-hours so you will use 103 Watt hours. You need to multiply the power of the security light (300W) by how long it is on to get a comparison. If it's on for the same 5 hours then it is using 1500 Watt-hours, more normally quoted as 1.5kWh, or

15x your proposed replacement. I don't think you need to worry about the power consumed by the timer.

MBQ

[<me9]

Mine's worked well for years.

[PeterK]

Osram do low energy lamps with an adjustable light sensor in the base. google for "osram dulux le sensor" (I bought some at least 3 years ago and I'm sure I paid far less than the prices being shown) but it also turned up other manufacturers on this link

[geoff]

If you want to overestimate it, yes

[dspeed]

Thanks to all for their input.....

I'm going to go for the low energy bulb (9w) for 5-6 hours on a timer (negligible w).

Now I just have to find a new outside light that a low energy bulb will fit into !?

Thanks

[Andrew Gabriel]

I would suggest using one that has an outer glass bulb outdoors, as it helps the tube run nearer its proper temperature in the cold, and hence give full light output.

9W ones are available which are same size as GLS lamps (standard filament lamps).