[Woodcarver] New shop wiring

[Marc Godbout]

Chances are, those 30-amp breakers are ganged together to get 60 amps on a
220V circuit. 30 amps is not common on 120V, and would require a special
kind of plug. Usually they're for RVs.

You can run 20 amp breakers, and that would require at least 12/2 wiring on
every circuit. If you do that, you can put 20-amp receptacles in the shop.
Those look like normal 15-amp receptacles, but one of the plug slots also as
a horizontal slot for 20-amp plugs. However, you can still plug in any old
120V appliance. You can also use 15-amp receptacles.

What you should never, ever, do is run smaller wiring than what the breaker
can handle. Running 14/2 on a 20-amp break is a no-no. The breaker must be
the weakest link. If your shop is located a good distance from the breaker
panel, you might want to go with 10/2 to the shop. 12/2 won't cause a safety
problem, but you could have a voltage drop if you draw close to the 20-amp
limit, and that may affect tool operation. Too low a voltage could even wear
out the motor early. As long as you're wiring the shop for future use, you
might want to consider running 220V out there.

And one last thing, I know they're more expensive, but consider having an
electrician do the work. If you're not familiar with this stuff, you could
violate code. Worse, though, it is a safety issue and could burn things
down.

--Marc


On Mon, Dec 21, 2009 at 8:00 AM, RP <rpedersen01 at cox.net> wrote:


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>  Dave:

>

>     My shop was built by my father and has been passed on to me, since he

> is gone now, so I am not sure of everything that has been done. There are a

> few 110 circuits run that I believe have 30 amp breakers and I can not

> remember what the electrician ran for wiring but it is a step heavier from

> the normal. I have my bandsaw, shop grinder, oscillating spindle sander, 15"

> Makita planer, my Ring Master machine and this type of equipment running on

> those. The rest of the 110 circuits are 25 amp I believe and would have to

> go look to make sure. All the heavier shop equipment has been run on 220

> every since we had our cabinet shop many years ago. These are the 12"

> Craftsman table saw, 12" Craftsman radial arm saw, Craftsman 6 1/8" jointer,

> Craftsman shaper and our air compressor, There is also a dedicated 220

> circuit for the old Lincoln 225 welder that I think is 50 amps.

>

>     I don't really get to use much of it nowadays as I am in a wheelchair

> and do mostly small projects and have started teaching myself to carve. I

> have only one large project left and that is a hope chest for one last niece

> when she graduates high school this nest year.

>

>     Sorry I don't have more information I just know that when he designed

> the shop area at his new home we wanted to avoid the problems of slow

> start-up and dimming lights that we had experienced in some of the older

> buildings our shop had been in before so he upgraded most of the electrical.

>

> Keep making Chips!

> Randy

>

> Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!!!!!!!!!!!!

>

> ----- Original Message -----

>  *From:* David Woods <dmwoodssr at adelphia.net>

> *To:* woodcarver at carverscompanion.com

> *Sent:* Sunday, December 20, 2009 9:55 PM

> *Subject:* [Woodcarver] New shop wiring

>

> Friends in Carving: Please support our List - visit

> carverscompanion.com/List/Support.html to donate.

>

>

> Randy:

>

> What gauge wire and what amperage breakers did you use in your shop? Did

> you run heavy gauge wire in all circuits or only in certain ones?

>

> Dave Woods

> Lurkin in the Bluegrass

>

> Go Cats!

>

>

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