Adding An Outlet To 240v Run.

[Offcenter12]

Hi,
I want to tie into my 240v supply at a 6" square box in my garage to add a 50 amp outlet. Already have 1" EMT from the outlet to the box. I've seen the Polaris connectors and copper lugs, but not too crazy about mondo wire nuts on #6 THHN. What are thoughts on the best connectors to accomplish this?

Thanks, John

 

[Terry D]

How many # 6 are you splicing together. The big blue wire nuts are only rated for (2) #6's. More than that that you will need split bolts, sure you use ones rated for 3 wires, or Polaris connectors. Is there other stuff already on this 240 volt circuit.

 

[Stuff]

Best would be to install a 4 space panel to be legal.

 

[Offcenter12]

How many # 6 are you splicing together. The big blue wire nuts are only rated for (2) #6's. More than that that you will need split bolts, sure you use ones rated for 3 wires, or Polaris connectors. Is there other stuff already on this 240 volt circuit.

3 # 6 together. It goes from the main to a sub panel which feeds a drill press and had the original outlet. Don't need the outlet there anymore, different welder, so moving it back to garage, but the drill press stays. Wouldn't ever run the drill press and welder at the same time.

Stuff, Are you saying the sub panel should be in the garage where the 6" box is and then just wire to the drill press?

Thanks, John

 

[Terry D]

3 # 6 together. It goes from the main to a sub panel which feeds a drill press and had the original outlet. Don't need the outlet there anymore, different welder, so moving it back to garage, but the drill press stays. Wouldn't ever run the drill press and welder at the same time.

Stuff, Are you saying the sub panel should be in the garage where the 6" box is and then just wire to the drill press?

Thanks, John

Is there a sub panel in the garage now. Im not fully following what you are wanting to do. Are you talking about tapping into a sub panel feeder. Maybe post some pictures

 

[Stuff]

I'm not understanding your setup either. Is the drill press on the same circuit as the old welder outlet?

You can't connect a 50 amp receptacle to a circuit that is already feeding something. A panel giving the receptacle its own breaker solves the issue as well as eliminating the need for splice connectors. Can't you add a breaker and feed for the new receptacle to the current panel?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

post some pictures of what you currently have....

 

[Offcenter12]

Okay, this is what I have. 60 amp breaker from the main feeding the sub panel. Sub had a 50 amp breaker feeding an outlet for a welder which I removed. Now has a 25 for the drill press and a 20 for several 120v outlets. Was hoping to tie into that 6" box near the ceiling to feed the new welding outlet. Doesn't sound like that's good idea.

 

[Terry D]

I take that sub panel is in the garage. I dont understand why you just would not run the new welder circuit from the sub panel and be done with it. No need for expensive Polaris connectors, plus that is a 4-11/16 box, not a 6 inch. You sure seem to have a lot of branch circuit wiring for only having 2 breakers in that panel. What is going on with the box above the panel, looks like open wiring just through the knockouts.
Is the garage detached or attached.

Maybe a picture with the cover off.

 

[nh_yota]

So you want to tap into the feeder for the sub panel? Can't do that.

 

[ez-duzit]

...I dont understand why you just would not run the new welder circuit from the sub panel and be done with it...

This. Don't Mickey Mouse it when the sub panel is right there.

 

[Offcenter12]

I take that sub panel is in the garage. I dont understand why you just would not run the new welder circuit from the sub panel and be done with it. No need for expensive Polaris connectors, plus that is a 4-11/16 box, not a 6 inch. You sure seem to have a lot of branch circuit wiring for only having 2 breakers in that panel. What is going on with the box above the panel, looks like open wiring just through the knockouts.
Is the garage detached or attached.

Maybe a picture with the cover off.

Yeah, I know it's confusing. The main is in the garage and the sub is outside in a covered garden/utility space probably 75 feet away. Currently the sub panel only feeds the drill press and a 20 amp circuit of receptacles in the utility space. Originally planned on using a somewhat portable borrowed welder in the utility space and had the breaker and receptacle out there, but bought a stationary welder that is definitely not portable and needs to stay in the garage. I believe the box above the panel used to be for the meter, but a deck was built above it before we bought the house and as I understand it code required the meter to be accessible so the meter was moved. Garage is a single car under the kitchen, rambler style home from 1955.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

it would take more work to splice into the feeder than it would to just run a new branch circuit off a breaker

 

[Offcenter12]

Okay, starting to see the picture. Just looked at the main panel which is pretty full, but have double pole breaker for a couple baseboard heaters in the kitchen which we've never used in almost 30 years. I can replace that with a 60 amp breaker dedicated to the welder outlet and leave the sub panel as is. If this passes muster with everyone, should I leave the existing 60 amp breaker in place to feed the sub for the 25 amp drill press and 20 amp receptacle circuit or should that be smaller. The dollar difference isn't an issue. Thanks to everyone for advice on this.
John

 

[wyliesdiesels]

so you will put the welder outlet in the garage and weld out of the garage?

 

[u2slow]

What model welder is this for? Are you sure you need #6 and a 50A breaker? Splices on big wire get expensive.

My Millermatic 211 is happy on #12 wire and 20A breaker.

 

[sparky 1971]

Yes. Leave the subpanel feeder alone. Abandon the 240 volt baseboard heater circuit and use that for the welder. As already stated, it's very highly unlikely you need a 60 amp circuit for your welder unless it's a huge machine.

 

[Offcenter12]

so you will put the welder outlet in the garage and weld out of the garage?

Yes, plenty of space in the driveway for what I'm doing. And to the 60 amp breaker, yes also. It's a Miller Syncrowave 250 which actually calls for a 110 amp breaker for full output, but I'm doing auto body sheet metal and 1/8" stainless so no where near full.

Thanks again, John