GarageEnvy
Well-known member
I'm thinking of adding a 220 volt floor plug for the bandsaw and tablesaw in my new shop (yet to be built). I've never seen this before and wondered if it is even possible or allowed. Anyone done this or know the answer?
220 Volt floor plug
- Thread starter GarageEnvy
- Start date
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I've never seen one mounted flush in the floor, but I have seen them mounted in those little doghouse things. However, one thing to remember is a plug on the floor by a saw is going to be exposed to a LOT of sawdust - unless you install a plug and receptacle that are dustproof (rated for a class II hazardous area) I wouldn't do it.
possible, but I wouldnt do it. If you have some $ to spend on it, the floor boxes used in Theaters would be a good choice, as they can have the cover closed with a cord plugged in. Here is one example http://mail.altmanltg.com/publicsyn...eload=1&Country=US&Show=0&Account=&L1=1&C1=32 Could use something like Leviton Wetguard twistlocks to keep the dust out.
rwhite692
Well-known member
You would probably be better off with a drop from the ceiling.
sammerdog
Banned
Here's one vote against.
Spill a Pepsi, knock over can of mineral spirits, or track in some snow and you've got problems.
Spill a Pepsi, knock over can of mineral spirits, or track in some snow and you've got problems.
hidollartoys
Well-known member
Why for god's sake would you even consider this due to expense and expose yourself to a maintenance issue or worse, a potential safety problem? This should be a last resort if all other options are exhausted. Just a question........
the spyder
Well-known member
You could opt for gfci breakers if your worried. I would honestly never flush mount a box in the floor if it was not protected.
the spyder
Well-known member
OP
GarageEnvy
Well-known member
I never intended to kick off a fire storm of controversy, it was just a thought. In the past I've always had to string a heavy cord across the floor and behind a workbench and up a wall to a plug. I found myself tripping over it and having to sweep around/over/under it. If it was something that was common practice I'd put one in. If not, then I'd deal with the cord. Ceiling cords can be a real PIA when you're trying to jockey wood through a saw. I live in a snow free (and darn near rain free) part of California but I was concerned about spillage as well.
Here's an idea. Stub conduit up at the location you want the receptacle. Make (or have made) a steel pedestal out of square tubing with a flange to bolt to the floor. Install boxes with your receptacles on it and connect to the conduit stubbed out of the floor.
OP
GarageEnvy
Well-known member
That's a good idea and one I considered. I just wasn't sure if the box sticking up would be more or less in the way than cords.
Bill K
Well-known member
Are floor boxes allowed by code in a garage?
I thought everthing had to be at least 18" off the floor due to fumes and sparks
I thought everthing had to be at least 18" off the floor due to fumes and sparks
HOTFR8
Banned
I would suggest the same as that is what I have to keep them out of the way and off the floor. I have recently seen floor plugs and they are set into the concrete with a metal plate over the top with a gap for the lead to come out. Would be great in a house for a reading lamp but I doubt not much good near machinery.
brianpgriset
Well-known member
Digging this thread back up. Like the OP, I want a few in-ground 220V plugs for a shop build coming up; mainly one for table saw where 360 degree cleareance is a big plus.
Drops from ceiling are easy and I plan to do some, but a few places an in-ground plug makes sense.
This part of the building will be a shop and not a garage, and where being installed will not have cars parked, will be a work area only, so there's no real credible chance of water from cars getting in.
I'm having trouble finding a good box setup that will work with a 30 or 50 amp 240V plug. Any suggestions?
Drops from ceiling are easy and I plan to do some, but a few places an in-ground plug makes sense.
This part of the building will be a shop and not a garage, and where being installed will not have cars parked, will be a work area only, so there's no real credible chance of water from cars getting in.
I'm having trouble finding a good box setup that will work with a 30 or 50 amp 240V plug. Any suggestions?
ttpete
Well-known member
Go with twist-locks. They're smaller.
Toomanytools?
Well-known member
I set 3 of these in the floor, 2 for 240v and 1 for 120v.
https://www.ebarnett.com/Sku/3553630/hubbell-wiring-non-metallic-floor-box-for-concrete-pour-with-34-and-1-in-hubs-050169055113-5511?&CID=&gclid=CjwKCAjwsO_4BRBBEiwAyagRTdxJNQaUmw6BgGErZxZEXGgwKUZrYZHI0LsGgO14tKaqUtRyu7Qj_BoCylYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
nadogail
Well-known member
In my shop, I use overhead drops.
sberry
Banned
Shops have a way of working out that the design rarely is the same as the original vision. It can always be abandoned though. You kind of comitted to something like that.
klassenl
Well-known member
I have floor plugs in my garage. It's not big enough to endure a redesign.
I love it. I should have put air down there as well.
No. It does not meet the strict letter of the code. Somehow I'm still alive.
I love it. I should have put air down there as well.
No. It does not meet the strict letter of the code. Somehow I'm still alive.
Ron_J
Well-known member
I was looking at this when I was planning my garage and couldn't find anything that I was confident would allow me to hose it out from time to time. I opted for the pull downs.
dcg9381
Well-known member
Two. Same deal... Exactly the same reason. If water can flow into it, not doing 240V.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
So it's OK with 120 but not with 240?
So it's OK with 120 but not with 240?
Too many “what if’s”.
So it's OK with 120 but not with 240?
You guys should try to agree on easy stuff, like what day it is...........before moving on to the tough stuff like floor outlets and ground rods
Another dead horse........nobody is going to change their mind
1Garageman
Well-known member
I vote against the floor also! What about if anything, running it from the ceiling down a pipe?
dcg9381
Well-known member
So it's OK with 120 but not with 240?
GFCI. I suppose you can do GFCI 240V, but darn breakers get expensive.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
You guys should try to agree on easy stuff, like what day it is...........before moving on to the tough stuff like floor outlets and ground rods
Norcal and I are both lifetime electricians......and you're not
With the 2020 NEC you will be using GFCI’s for 240V.
dcg9381
Well-known member
Honestly, I haven't followed as we don't have to comply with 2020 yet. ALL 240V going GFCI? That's gonna change some prices around here...
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
Texas is currently in the process of updating to the 2020 NEC
Retroman
Well-known member
I have saw cut and core drilled lots of holes for boxes in slabs and decks. Typically used in office type settings. Most industrial applications I have seen are overhead drops. I guess it depends if your getting a permit and what the inspector will sign off on.
cvairwerks
Well-known member
When we updated our hangars, all the air, air conditioning and electrics other than aircraft ground ports, came out of the floors and service pits. The factory side put them in at a few locations along with hydraulics, during some updates about 3 years ago, but have since started to abandon the infloor hookups.
brianpgriset
Well-known member
Could you share the box cover you used for the Hubbell 5511 in floor box? Ive bee n looking all over for one that will accept a L6-30R or similar recepticle or similar and cant find one.
For that matter i cant find any infloor boxes that do. Open to suggestions for other flush mount floor boxes that will accept 240V recepticles.
brianpgriset
Well-known member
Well looks like i found one tht fits my need. Carlon E976RFB. Modular and the accessory kit has all the needed covers including twhat looks like one for a L6-30R. Made to be cast in concrete and flush cut with floor from what I can read.
Id still prefer a round box though.
Edit - holy moly! Still looking for a cover plate that will work with a L6-30R receptacle cause DAMN the Carlon stuff is pricey.
So hit me with your cost effective suggestions.
Edit again. looks like im wrong again the accessory kit wont work... still open to suggestions...
Id still prefer a round box though.
Edit - holy moly! Still looking for a cover plate that will work with a L6-30R receptacle cause DAMN the Carlon stuff is pricey.
So hit me with your cost effective suggestions.
Edit again. looks like im wrong again the accessory kit wont work... still open to suggestions...
Last edited:
brianpgriset
Well-known member
I ended up getting the Carlon in floor boxes despite the heafty price. Relative to the rest of the shop it was cheap.
Im still finishing the interior so time will tell how well they work.
Im still finishing the interior so time will tell how well they work.