Polarization of Electricity is important to run Growlights safely and
efficiently.
www.3rlighting.com/tutorial
Q: What else is important for grow lights and wiring?
A: Polarization.
Q: Polarization? How long a pole do you need?
A: Polarization is just a fancy word which means that the black or power wire
is connected to the correct side of the outlet or "pole". It is generally
considered that the electricity runs from the power to the neutral or white
wire, but in a circuit--which is a circle--using AC (Alternating Current) the current flow really runs both ways. For most folks, though, it really does't matter, you
can talk about power running to neutral or ground.
Q: So if the electricity alternates both ways, why does polarization matter?
A: Voltage and Current are two completely different things.
The Voltage potential is higher in the black wire while the white wire is at neutral voltage.
Q: How do you make sure the power wire is connected where it should be?
A: The answer is to rely on the Lone Ranger.
Q: The Lone Ranger? That guy from early morning TV?
A: You got it. Here's your memory trick: The Lone Ranger's Horse.
You have a white wire for neutral and a black wire for power. Now, on the
outlet or light switch you have to figure out which side to hook it up to. The
outlet or light switch has brass colored screws on one side and silver colored
screws on the other. Here we go: What color horse did the Lone Ranger Ride?
Q: White.
A: Just like the white wire. What was the horse named?
Q: His horse's name?
A: You know, Hi Ho.................
Q: HI Yo, Silver
A: Right, the white wire is hooked to the silver colored terminal screw.
Q: Is that it?
A: You wish.
On a three pronged outlet that takes a three pronged plug, there is only one way
to plug in the electrical cord. Automatically, the polarization comes out
right for the light if the outlet is wired correctly. Sometimes on the plug
for a two pronged electrical cord, there is one blade that is slightly larger
than the other. This kind of plug can only be plugged in in one direction
because the outlet is made to take the plug in only one direction. This is to
make sure that whatever is plugged in is polarized right. The wide blade is usually the neutral side--hooked to the white wire. On many modern appliances, though, it
makes no difference how something is polarized because the current flow is alternating current--the current flow rotates back and forth 60 times each second.
Remember Voltage and Current are two different things.
The current flow rotates back and forth while at the same time, the voltage potential (or voltage pressure) stays constant.
Remember Voltage and Current are two different things.
The voltage potential is always measured between TWO points. The voltage potential measured between the black wire and the white wire stays around 100 volts. The voltage potential measured between the black wire and the ground wire should stay at about 100 volts as well.
The voltage potential measured between the white wire and the ground wire should always read ZERO volts. If you measure the voltage between the white wire and the ground wire and get anything other than zero--you got a problem that needs to be looked into.
Q: What happens if a growlight is polarized backwards?
A: Well, it will probably run because the current doesn't really care. But you will have problems: First, you will shorten the life of all the components. Next, the outside metal case is
grounded. You could be hooking straight power to this ouside case. There
could be a shock in store for you if you touch the case and something else at
the same time that is grounded right. If that's not enough, the neutral and
ground are sometimes hooked together, so the breaker could pop right out with a big spark in your face.
Q: None of that sounds like fun.
A: There is also a small testing device which you can buy at hardware stores
and some electronic stores, usually for $10 or less that plugs into wall
outlets to test the polarity. It has three little lights on it.
Q: What is the difference between a 115 Volt Circuit and a 120 Volt Circuit? How can you have two different voltages in the same house?
A: In America, we use the American Standard System of Measurement. So there are always two ways to build or do anything: Standard or Custom. Household Electricity in America is pretty standard and is regulated within some fairly tight Standards.
The key to Standards is making everything the same. So, for example, a 2 by 4 board does not really measure 2 inches by 4 inches, but no one ever measures them because they are all Standard. You can buy a 2 X 4 board in California and use it alongside 2 X 4's that you bought in Florida and everything matches because they are all Standard.
In the same way, it doesn't matter which electric company in the US you buy your juice from--it is pretty standard. Most houses get three wires from the electric company: one leg carries about 120 Volts, the second leg carries about 120 Volts (but what is called "out of phase"), and the third leg is your return (neutral).
Now here's where the Standardization comes in. Because it really doesn't matter what you call the voltage, since the voltage is standard, people developed a short hand to talk about the amperage of circuits. So usually (not always-but usually), when a circuit is called a 115 Volt circuit, it has a 15 amp circuit breaker; likewise, a circuit referred to as 120 Volts has a 20 amp circuit breaker.
Q: Wait, so how many volts are in the circuit?
A: It doesn't matter, they are Standard. At least Standard within tolerances. The voltage is the same, but the last two numbers are used to show the amperage of the circuit. Technically, the numbers are completely inaccurate, but as a short hand it works pretty good. If you stick the two prongs of a voltage meter into a socket, you should get a reading in the ballpark of 100 volts. If you get a reading down at 85 volts, there is definitely a problem that merits further investigation.
Copyright 2002-2011 K. Kelly & 3R Lighting
Please do not copy or reprint without permission.
These pages are for information only--check your local codes or hire qualified
service workers before doing any work. Make sure all work is done safely.
