400w metal halide lights

[Grant1234]

Hi all,
I am looking to fit two 400w metal halide floodlights to the outside of my shed. I was wondering if I can just switch them on/off with a normal light switch? Or will I need to use a contactor for this?

Also I was going to put the both on separate mcb's in the fuse box, what size and type of circuit breaker would I need for one 400w metal halide light? I was thinking a 10 amp c type?

Many thanks for any help!

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo and welcome Grant1234

have you thought about led security lamps not the same long distance illumination but a 50w will give a similar output at 90% power saving

 

[Grant1234]

Hi, thanks for the reply!
I have 2 (formerly 3) of them on other buildings yes but one of them burnt out few weeks ago. After asking a few people it seems that the driver was shot. Apparently a common problem with led flood lights as the heat sink is often not big enough? I'm a big fan of them otherwise, just not sure if they're worth the money!
Any ideas about the metal halide circuit breaker/contactor issue?

 

[ericmark]

Have you got planning permission over 150W required planning permission. I had standard 20A grid switch on the one I had and a C6 MCB we were required to move the aim by the police as it was reported as blinding drivers going around a roundabout 1/2 mile away. Lucky we did have planning permission for ours. It was also 150 foot high on the top of a silo pointing down into the yard. Do you realise how bright these are.

 

[DaftPunk]

For that sort of inductive load I'd definately use an over rated contractor. I've seen loads of 10 and even 20 amp rated switches killed by loads as small as this.

A 6A B type will be fine for one flood or a 10A C type for both assuming the Zs will allow it.

As for building regs compliance, you are not allowed to use standard floods any more, but fittings with an integral photocell are fine.

 

[Lectrician]

I would never use a B type breaker.

A C6 for one, C10 for two.

A decent 20amp grid switch would be fine for two.

 

[Grant1234]

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful!
I'm not too worried about planning permission, we're quite out in the sticks here and the lights would only be on for a few hours at a time.
I've only seen these lights used as portable site lights before, not as fixed lighting....
If I were to fit two 250 watt lights instead would I be safe enough without a contactor and with a 20amp switch and 6amp c type for each light?

 

[ricicle]

I'd definately use an over rated contractor. .

There are plenty of those about .....

 

[bernardgreen]

I'm not too worried about planning permission, we're quite out in the sticks here and the lights would only be on for a few hours at a time.

Planners can be very strict when it comes to light pollution. Even more so in rural areas where natural darkness is part of the beauty of the landscape. Planners can and do enforce the removal ( or dimming ) of non conforming external lighting in rural areas.

 

[Grant1234]

The planning side of matters is really the least o my worries, I can apply for retrospective if need be.

My question is really, would a 250 watt metal halide light be alright with a 20amp light switch and a 6 amp b or even c type breaker?