Additional outlets - 110 or 220?

[87jeepwrangler]

Help me over-think my electrical layout a little more with one last circuit.

I’m finishing up the electric in my 21x32. As it sits right now, I ran a separate 20 amp circuit for each wall for outlets. I also have (6) 220 outlets (dedicated for plasma cutter, welder #1, welder #2, spot welder, air compressor in the loft above, and an extra at the front of the garage for driveway welding).

My outside wall is where most of my machines reside (metal sanders, bandsaws, benchtop mill, etc). Although I am a 1 man hobbyist, if someone else is there dabbling while I am, I could see multiple machines running on that same circuit, possibly tripping a breaker (ex. Horizontal bandsaw is running by itself, I’m using a drill press, and person #2 turns on disc sander).

Since I only ran 1 circuit per wall, and that circuit will be used the most, I decided to throw 2 more bonus outlets on that outside wall on an additional circuit.

If you were me, would you make that additional circuit a 110 or 220 volt circuit?

Option 1: new circuit as 220. Heavy hitters like the mill and disc sander can be wired 110 or 220. Put those machines on the 220 circuit.

Option 2: new circuit as 110.

Thoughts?

 

[justsam]

Help me over-think my electrical layout a little more with one last circuit.

Option 1: new circuit as 220. Heavy hitters like the mill and disc sander can be wired 110 or 220. Put those machines on the 220 circuit.

Option 2: new circuit as 110.

Thoughts?

Option 1, although no issue from an electrical stand point is a code violation. A 240VAC circuit is to be dedicated to a single receptacle and device. You may not have multiple receptacle distribution.

Option 2 does allow multiple receptacles, but if greater than a 20Amp circuit, it too should be one circuit, one receptacle, one device.

 

[KenC]

Option 1, although no issue from an electrical stand point is a code violation. A 240VAC circuit is to be dedicated to a single receptacle and device. You may not have multiple receptacle distribution.

Code reference? Never heard that before.

 

[G_P]

My buddies old garage had multiple welder outlets (one near the workbench and one near the door for outside work) on a single 240v circuit. That would fill a breaker panel fast if you wanted multiple welder outlets and had to run a seperate circuit for each one.

 

[pattenp]

Code reference? Never heard that before.

It's not a NEC violation but is a state residential building code violation in some states. Virginia is one.

 

[600SL]

Install 3 wire 240V circuit with a duplex 120V receptacle split off one side of a 240V receptacle.

 

[Norcal]

Install 3 wire 240V circuit with a duplex 120V receptacle split off one side of a 240V receptacle.

Cannot do that & be code compliant without a 2 pole GFCI breaker, $$.

 

[600SL]

Cannot do that & be code compliant without a 2 pole GFCI breaker, $$.

Concur for residential ~ $120 for the breaker.

Not sure if a 2 pole GFIC breaker would trip if pulling 120V off one leg. Can anyone elaborate?

Here's a thread that elaborates on this, with pros and cons.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?131161-GFCI-question

 

[sublimate]

Option 1, although no issue from an electrical stand point is a code violation. A 240VAC circuit is to be dedicated to a single receptacle and device. You may not have multiple receptacle distribution.

Not code violation - I just did this.

 

[87jeepwrangler]

It's not a NEC violation but is a state residential building code violation in some states. Virginia is one.

how do i find out which states that is a code violation in?

why is it a code violation in some states? what makes it not a good practice that some states made code against it?

 

[pattenp]

how do i find out which states that is a code violation in?

why is it a code violation in some states? what makes it not a good practice that some states made code against it?

You will need to check with your local authority. Virginia has adopted the International Code for Residential One and Two Family Dwellings and I'm sure a lot of states/localities have. The code section is E3702.5, "General-purpose branch circuits shall supply lighting outlets, appliances, equipment or receptacle outlets, and combinations of such. Multi-outlet branch circuits serving lighting or receptacles shall be limited to a maximum branch-circuit rating of 20 amperes."

Since the code pertains to dwellings, a detached garage/shop may be exempt. You need to see how your local authority applies the IRBC if they follow it. I didn't see where you said your shop/garage was attached or detached from your house.

 

[404]

how do i find out which states that is a code violation in?

why is it a code violation in some states? what makes it not a good practice that some states made code against it?

Have you seen some of the people who make the codes/laws?



Some one's pet peeve or "think of the children" brain fart and the rest of us are enslaved by it.

Some code items are good and important. Others are just ******* being wadded. The last kind is make-work for the people that write codes. They are never going to say "It's Good!" and give up their jobs.

Regards,
404

 

[87jeepwrangler]

Ok then, code violation or not, which is the better option then?

They are never going to say "It's Good!" and give up their jobs.

Funny and true