I want to wire up a traffic light , is it important that i use a ground

Question

i 'aquired' a street light a while ago and i am wiring it so it can be plugged in, but i dont know if it is important to use a ground wire, also --do you know how much electricity a traffic light uses?

Answer 1

Always need a ground wire. This is the basic rule for electrician to know. Traffic light red,yollow and green rotates  turn on one lamp at a time. Therefore the maxium power is 80 watts as what you said. Red light made of LED, it consumes not more than 30 watts. But do not forget the control system (relay etc) consumes electricity all the time.

Answer 2

It will work without the ground, but I would recommend connecting it for safety reasons, you don't want to get sued, or dead.

They are probably quite high power light bulbs in there so they can be seen in daylight, I would guess 200 - 250W each.

Answer 3

You'll have to look at the lamps to find the voltage required.

The Watts consumed will be on there too.

Watts/ volts will give you Amp.s.

Just as with any other lighting unit it will be safer if you use

a ground, especially for an amateur who might get something

else wrong and need the safety net.