Menards transformer question... How many..

The draw is minimal.  You can safely do x-1 with x being the number that trips your breaker. 

Hope me that helps.

Hey Dad, does this help................son #?..........Paul

I must say, I'm really dumb when it comes to electrical questions. This is what I have, 27 transformers plugged into two extension cords   14 gauge..along with 5  splitters (I call them) which the transformers are plugged into.  Thanks.. Bob

Harvey Hotwatts is on his way !

A    you will need 2400 watts worth of LED's before you trip a 20 amp breaker.         Ia=2400w/120v = 20 amps. You can not consider secondary current  when determining primary over current protection,  only watts  

B   power factor, applied power (VA),  eddy currents, power factor or phase angle (one in the same) these are toys not real factorys, not applicable !.

I am a EE and in the electrical construction business for 25 years

Bill_R posted:

A    you will need 2400 watts worth of LED's before you trip a 20 amp breaker.         Ia=2400w/120v = 20 amps. You can not consider secondary current  when determining primary over current protection,  only watts  

B   power factor, applied power (VA),  eddy currents, power factor or phase angle (one in the same) these are toys not real factorys, not applicable !.

I am a EE and in the electrical construction business for 25 years

Thanks Bill ! So are you saying, I'm  ok with what I have ? Bob

cabinet Bob posted:

Bill_R posted:

A    you will need 2400 watts worth of LED's before you trip a 20 amp breaker.         Ia=2400w/120v = 20 amps. You can not consider secondary current  when determining primary over current protection,  only watts  

B   power factor, applied power (VA),  eddy currents, power factor or phase angle (one in the same) these are toys not real factorys, not applicable !.

I am a EE and in the electrical construction business for 25 years

Thanks Bill ! So are you saying, I'm  ok with what I have ? Bob

 

Absolutely 

Bill_R posted:

cabinet Bob posted:

Bill_R posted:

A    you will need 2400 watts worth of LED's before you trip a 20 amp breaker.         Ia=2400w/120v = 20 amps. You can not consider secondary current  when determining primary over current protection,  only watts  

B   power factor, applied power (VA),  eddy currents, power factor or phase angle (one in the same) these are toys not real factorys, not applicable !.

I am a EE and in the electrical construction business for 25 years

Thanks Bill ! So are you saying, I'm  ok with what I have ? Bob

 

Absolutely 

Bob

To put it into perspective

the park hotel draws 36 watts

36/2400 = 66.66

In other words you can run 66 park hotels on a 20amp 120volt circuit just before you would trip the breaker in your service panel. that's a lot of buildings.  I don't suggest you do that but that's what the math says.  once you have 60 plus Menards buildings on your layout that would be a good  the time to think about a second circuit.  Also note that most Menards buildings don't draw 36 watts so in theory you could go even higher building count.  So don't lose any sleep I don't think your there yet.

Menards makes a variety of transformers but each should have the AC current stamped/printed on the nameplate.  For example, a popular transformer for O gauge buildings is this 4.5V DC 3-outlet adapter:

110 mA = 0.11 Amps.  So 27 is "only" 3 Amps.

Thanks for ALL you help Guys !!

Just keep plugging them in till it blows! Then back off one! Lol

mike g. posted:

Just keep plugging them in till it blows! Then back off one! Lol

HaH that's funny,  But it would actually work

Thanks MikeG, that is my understanding of EE

Brent

Why would anyone want to use so many individual transformers, instead of one big one?

Figure out the total wattage, buy a transformer that will supply that amount of power, plus some headroom, and do it the professional way.

Putting that many plug-in items into extension cords and splitters is just asking for trouble.