Basic Electrical Tip of the Day for Film / Video / Photo Lighting
Electrical wall outlets (plugs) found in homes and businesses are rated at either 15 amps or 20 amps. Modern commercial buildings will only have 20 amp circuits, but older commercial buildings will have some 15 amp circuits. Most residential homes will have 15 amp circuits in the bedrooms and living room and 20 amp circuits in the kitchen and family room. A typical circuit will have up to 10 wall outlets on the circuit. 15 amp circuits are wired with 14 gauge wire and 20 amp circuits are wired with 12 gauge wire.
15 amp circuits are rated at 1800W. 20 amp circuits are rated at 2400W. When you exceed 1800W or 2400W on the given circuit, the circuit breaker will trip, cutting off power.