Aerodrome Studio - Electrical Help Please

[machine_punk]

Hello all. I have the basic two-car attached garage with the pitiful electrical setup which seems common in houses now:
- One 110 volt outlet near the washer and dryer
- One 220 volt outlet near the dryer
- One 110 volt outlet near the garage door
- One 110 volt outlet in the ceiling, near the garage door opener

I've added a fancy extension cord system to get power a little closer to where I use it (a commercial outlet strip, mounted behind an aluminum face plate, mounted on my customized peg board system), but that is really nothing more than an extension cord...
View media item 15804
I'd like to do something more out there, and I am comfortable with the idea of getting a book on household electrical and running everything myself. My only real issue is figuring out whether or not I actually have enough capacity in my current electrical panel, or if I would need to upgrade that too.

My overall goals in increasing my electrical system in the garage:
- Add at least two, full 20 AMP, 110 volt circuits for electrical tools in my metalworking studio area.

- Add about four 4-foot T8 fluorescent fixtures to the ceiling (likely on the garage door opener circuit).

- Consider eventually adding one ?? AMP, 220 volt circuit for a new compressor. I work my 15 AMP/110 volt air compressor to death with air grinders and I'd like to be able to paint eventually.

- Consider eventually adding one ?? AMP, 220 volt circuit for a welder. I'd like to be able to run a decent DC/AC TIG setup in the future as well as a 220 volt MIG machine and a stick machine.

I think I took all the necessary pictures of the current electrical box (which is in the garage--220 volt circuits would be VERY short runs)...
View media item 15885
View media item 15888
View media item 15889
View media item 15886
View media item 15887
View media item 15890
View media item 15891
View media item 15892
There you have it. I think I've given all the necessary information.

Do you think is a feasible plan, with my current electrical box?

 

[pattenp]

Looks to me you'd be okay with adding 2 120V 20A breakers and 2 240V ??A breakers. That would take up 6 spaces and you have 8 spaces open. If you don't go crazy with a super large compressor and welder, those circuits may only need to be 30A.

 

[BFBOB]

As a PRACTICAL matter, it doesn't matter how many/how much current circuits you add. If the total in use at a time exceeds the safe current for the breaker box, it will trip the main breakers. (RULES may vary...)

 

[Charles (in GA)]

From the looks of it from THIS web page, Challenger morphed into Westinghouse, then Cutler-Hammer, then Eaton. As far as I know, the panels are still marketed as CH panels. Not sure if current CH breakers will fit that panel or not. You have some unusual quad breakers in there, where the two middle breakers have a handle tie and are used for 240v feeds to ovens, etc. and the outer two are lesser amp, 15 or 20 and used as single 120v circuits. I'm willing to bet standard CH breakers fit (NOT CH BR, just plain CH, with the tan colored handle ties on the double pole breakers). You certainly have the room in the panel, though you will have to move some of your labels.

Charles

 

[machine_punk]

Thanks for the input guys!

I generally work in the garage alone, so it would be rare that I am using more than one or two circuits at a time. Sounds like I can definitely move forward with a couple of 20 AMP, 110 volt circuits soon (so I can have an electrical heater going, while using electric tools or the air compressor). It isn't my 'next' big priority, but I would like to upgrade electrical before the year is out.