Guides

Two guides cover the questions growers ask most about power and water.

Power: watts, volts, amps and kilowatt-hours

Four numbers describe a light's electricity use. Knowing how they connect makes it easy to predict your bill and to avoid overloading a circuit.

  • Watts (W) measure how much power a light draws at one moment.
  • Volts (V) measure the electrical pressure. Household power is about 120 volts in North America, and 240 volts for large appliances.
  • Amps (A) measure the flow of current. Amps = watts รท volts. A 1,000-watt light draws about 8.3 amps on 120 volts and about 4.2 amps on 240 volts.
  • Kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure energy used over time. 1 kilowatt for 1 hour is 1 kWh, and that is what your electric bill charges for.

The important point is that electricity is charged by the kilowatt-hour, not by amperage. Lower wattage is what lowers your bill. Plugging the same light into 240 volts reduces the amps but not the kilowatt-hours. Read do LED grow lights save electricity for worked examples.

Voltage: 120v and 240v

Most home outlets are 120 volts. Larger setups often use 240 volts to reduce amperage and heat in the wiring. My LED Grow Lights operate on 120v/240v. The light detects the voltage you plug into and automatically converts to the proper setting, so there is nothing to switch.

Water: what IP ratings mean

An IP (ingress protection) rating tells you how well a light keeps out dust and water, as tested under a standard called IEC 60529. The first digit is for solids and the second for liquids. IP65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets, and IP67 means dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion. My LED Grow Lights are IP65 (water-resistant) or IP67 (waterproof) rated, and all wiring harnesses are assembled with waterproof connections. Read IP65 vs IP67 grow lights.

Electrical safety in a grow space

  • Plug lights into a circuit that can carry the load. Add up the wattage of everything on it.
  • Use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet or adapter in damp areas.
  • Keep plugs, timers and power strips off the floor and away from where you water.
  • Use a timer rated for the light's power.
  • Do not daisy-chain many cords or use thin extension cords.
  • Inspect cords and connectors regularly.

Eye safety

Grow lights are far brighter than room lights, and some give off a little UV. UV eye protection is recommended. Just like the sun, you do not want to look directly at the light, and if you feel you need them, a good pair of sunglasses or the green-tinted glasses made for LED lights will do. Dim or switch off the light when working close to it.

Heat

LED fixtures carry their heat away from the plants, so the canopy can sit closer than with HID lamps. A closed tent still needs fresh air. See LED vs HID grow lights and grow tent lighting setup.

Reliable and safe

Quick answers on voltage, amps and the warranty are in the LED grow light FAQs.

Whether it is food, ornamental plants or medicine you are growing, you can depend on My LED Grow Lights to provide the safest high-quality lights and products available. There is no long cool-down period when the power goes out and back on during storms, because the lights turn on and off just like any switched or dimmable home light. A 3-year warranty is standard unless otherwise noted in the product description. See all of our LED grow lights.

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