Can I get 220V from my panel?

Cruzomatic · Apr 3, 2016

I'm considering going with a 220V air compressor but want to know if it's possible first with my current setup. I do not have a 220V outlet in my garage yet, but is it possible?

Thanks

This is my panel outside my home

My panel inside my garage.

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theoldwizard1 · Apr 3, 2016

Probably, but you are going to need some one to pull the covers and look at the actual wiring.

Alchymist · Apr 3, 2016

Some educated guesses:
1) Garage is attached
2) Panel in garage serves whole house

If so, and depending on physical factors, another sub panel could be installed in the garage, fed from the unused slots in the RH panel in the first pic. Then the 240 could be run from the sub panel. Conversely if only a single 240 outlet is needed it could be run from the same source.

Hard to guess without full understanding of layout.

nadogail · Apr 3, 2016

From my observation of the panel with the circuit breaker marked AC Unit, there is 220 in that panel.

Richard Cranium · Apr 3, 2016

Yes, in the sub panel with the a/c you have space to put 220 volt there

sld961 · Apr 3, 2016

I'm sure you "have" 220v at your panels (note the double pole breakers in your house boxes). Your garage box looks like a GE. GE has thin" breakers. You would have to swap out some of your regular sized ones for thin ones to make room, as it is full.

If you don't know what you're doing, or know someone that does, have an electrician look at it.

Edit: looks like they beat me to the punch. Like was mentioned, you could put in another sub box from the main, or out of the garage box. It can be done a couple different ways. Not sure what the "right" way is.

motofool33 · Apr 3, 2016

if you dont feel comfortable doing it yourself alot of the air compressor companies do the install which includes wiring it.

Cruzomatic · Apr 3, 2016

Yes, garage is attached and the panel in the garage services the whole house. I don't feel comfortable doing it, that's why I have you guys.

Kidding aside, I would like a 220v outlet to plug the compressor into and next to the panel in the garage would be ideal.

Cruzomatic · Apr 3, 2016

About what would this cost to get done? I have ran some 110v before, but not sure about this job. My now deceased father-in-law was a master electrician and he taught me a few things, but not 100% sure about this just yet.

CNGsaves · Apr 3, 2016

Well . . . . . you're getting the . . . . Cart Ahead of The Horse !!!

For 240 volt air compressors, they have Wiring AND Breaker Size determined by the MOTOR Horsepower of the compressor.

Thus, if you go with 5 HP air compressor, it will be different wiring than 7.5 HP unit or 4 HP.

SO . . . . . . WHAT compressor are you looking at ???

Also . . . no "Outlet" for large air compressor . . . . they are Direct Wired.

Cruzomatic · Apr 3, 2016

I'll post a link....give me a sec please.

Cruzomatic · Apr 3, 2016

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641297_200641297

wyliesdiesels · Apr 4, 2016

Larger than 3hp will need to be hardwired unless u find a plug and outlet rated for the HP.

motofool33 · Apr 4, 2016

Plan on around 250$ on the low side high side 450$ for electrican and install.

Parts boxes, sub panel wire and breaker around 150-175.

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motofool33 · Apr 4, 2016

motofool33 said:
Plan on around 250$ on the low side high side 450$ for electrican and install.

Parts boxes, sub panel wire and breaker around 150-175.

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By code your supposed to hardwire the 5hp, 3hp can use a 30amp appliance style connector if rated for 3hp.

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Cruzomatic · Apr 4, 2016

Thanks guys....appreciate the help.

rburke65 · Apr 4, 2016

OMG.......did you just say 220V? Folks on here will be lighting the torches and manning the pitch forks.....

Falcon67 · Apr 5, 2016

rburke65 said:
OMG.......did you just say 220V? Folks on here will be lighting the torches and manning the pitch forks.....

220, 221 - whatever it takes

Cruzomatic · Apr 9, 2016

I took off my panel cover, here's a better pic.

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Cruzomatic · Apr 9, 2016

Right side up now, sorry.

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motofool33 · Apr 10, 2016

that panel is full your best bet is to be looking to use this location in the pic.

DC73 · Apr 10, 2016

Cruzomatic said:
Right side up now, sorry.

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Your breaker panel is full. As motofool33 said, there is physical space in the sub-panel for more breakers. BUT, you have a lot of circuits and need to verify that your electrical system has the capacity needed to add a 240V compressor. Your sub-panel is being fed from a 60 Amp 2-pole breaker and already contains two 20 Amp 2-pole breakers plus a 120V circuit for the pool lights, etc. That doesn't leave a lot of room. Pick wyliesdiesels' brain about this. He can set you on the right path and you definitely want to get this right.

DC

FordsnFishin · Apr 10, 2016

Whoever wired that panel did a nice clean job! Looks like a sub panel is in order. The compressor you posted says it pulls 15 amps. So you will need to pull 12awg wire to it (2 hot wires, and 1 ground) and it should be landed on a double pole 20 amp breaker.

Get your wire where needed and set you a 4"square box. If your compressor doesn't already have it on it, get you a section of 12-3 SO cord and wire it to the compressor and splice other end with your feed wires.

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FordsnFishin · Apr 10, 2016

If all you really need is the compressor ran, it appears you have 3 open spots on your sub panel as is.

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Cruzomatic · Apr 10, 2016

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

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CNGsaves · Apr 10, 2016

Cruzomatic said:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641297_200641297

^ ^ ^ ^ I'd shop around before settling for that one, as only 3 HP for $799 and only 135 psi. I sure would NOT spend that money for mediocre 60 gallon unit.

Here's a better 60 gallon compressor for $489 but 3.7 HP and 155 psi branded Porter Cable.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...belt-drive-air-compressor-60-gal?cm_vc=-10005

Around Christmas time, TSC had sales where these were $399 or so.

OP . . . . have you watched CL like hawk to see if 5 HP 60 gal compressor would pop up . . . . . like SpeedAire, Puma, Black Max, Campbell Hausfeld, etc that would be an actual 5 HP motor ??? That's what I'd do and go appropriate wire and breaker for 5 HP compressor.

Charles (in GA) · Apr 10, 2016

FordsnFishin said:
Whoever wired that panel did a nice clean job! Looks like a sub panel is in order. The compressor you posted says it pulls 15 amps. So you will need to pull 12awg wire to it (2 hot wires, and 1 ground) and it should be landed on a double pole 20 amp breaker.

Get your wire where needed and set you a 4"square box. If your compressor doesn't already have it on it, get you a section of 12-3 SO cord and wire it to the compressor and splice other end with your feed wires.

Code does not allow Cord to be used for permanent installations.

Charles

Cruzomatic · Apr 10, 2016

CNGsaves said:
^ ^ ^ ^ I'd shop around before settling for that one, as only 3 HP for $799 and only 135 psi. I sure would NOT spend that money for mediocre 60 gallon unit.

Here's a better 60 gallon compressor for $489 but 3.7 HP and 155 psi branded Porter Cable.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...belt-drive-air-compressor-60-gal?cm_vc=-10005

Around Christmas time, TSC had sales where these were $399 or so.

OP . . . . have you watched CL like hawk to see if 5 HP 60 gal compressor would pop up . . . . . like SpeedAire, Puma, Black Max, Campbell Hausfeld, etc that would be an actual 5 HP motor ??? That's what I'd do and go appropriate wire and breaker for 5 HP compressor.

I have looked around on CL for compressors, but nothing popped up in my area, what was worth considering. I was also thinking of going new, simply for the peace of mind of a warranty. What I do like a lot about the North Star compressors is their 4 year warranty.

I haven't looked at the Porter Cable, but I will now. Thanks for the link.

FordsnFishin · Apr 11, 2016

Charles (in GA) said:
Code does not allow Cord to be used for permanent installations.

Charles

Op: every other week make sure to move your compressor to the other side of the shop.

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wyliesdiesels · Apr 11, 2016

FordsnFishin said:
Op: every other week make sure to move your compressor to the other side of the shop.

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Or spend less money on THHN wire and do it correctly! :lol:

Can I get 220V from my panel?

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