sherlocktk
Well-known member
Currently I have a 3 Car Attached Garage, I stole the dryer outlet circuit 5+ years ago and added a 30 amp sub panel, 4x20x120v amp circuits for lights, tools etc, and 1x30Ax240V dual breaker for my welder or plasma cutter or air compressor. Entire garage is don in EMT coming off of this panel, except The washer/dryer/air handler.
I stuck solar on the house 3 months ago, and in this process I "snuck" in a 200amp main panel upgrade. (from 100 amp) Many more spots are now available for "Expansion" and I want to expand the 30 amp panel I currently have. In So Cal, the main panel is always on the outside of the house. My plan for the wire is to have an EMT run go on the outside of the house up the stucco and into the attic (about 20ft up) then across the attic 50ft, then down into garage (15ft) + termination into new panel. Basically a 100ft run if you fudge the numbers.
I know on the outside of the house and in garage, I need some sort of raceway/protection, which I think will be EMT at 1 1/4. In the attic I don't know as it depends on the wire type.
I currently have 220v welder, and large air compressor, and plasma, which I "trade" on the 220v but that sometimes is an issue with the plasma as it needs the air.
I see guys on here always talking about MHF, but that has super thick insulation, I was thinking I could use SER type cable (the stuff in a grey jacket) similar to romex at 2-2-2-4 run it in conduit in the garage, and outside of house, and let it be exposed in the attic. Giving me 90 amps, which is way overkill, but not much more expensive.
So wire is "outside" for 20 ft, in attic for 50-65 ft, then in garage for 10 ft.
Is this the correct wire for this application, Any suggestions? Is 90 amp overkill? To be clear, the 30 amp circuit will be "capped off" and this will replace all of that.
I stuck solar on the house 3 months ago, and in this process I "snuck" in a 200amp main panel upgrade. (from 100 amp) Many more spots are now available for "Expansion" and I want to expand the 30 amp panel I currently have. In So Cal, the main panel is always on the outside of the house. My plan for the wire is to have an EMT run go on the outside of the house up the stucco and into the attic (about 20ft up) then across the attic 50ft, then down into garage (15ft) + termination into new panel. Basically a 100ft run if you fudge the numbers.
I know on the outside of the house and in garage, I need some sort of raceway/protection, which I think will be EMT at 1 1/4. In the attic I don't know as it depends on the wire type.
I currently have 220v welder, and large air compressor, and plasma, which I "trade" on the 220v but that sometimes is an issue with the plasma as it needs the air.
I see guys on here always talking about MHF, but that has super thick insulation, I was thinking I could use SER type cable (the stuff in a grey jacket) similar to romex at 2-2-2-4 run it in conduit in the garage, and outside of house, and let it be exposed in the attic. Giving me 90 amps, which is way overkill, but not much more expensive.
So wire is "outside" for 20 ft, in attic for 50-65 ft, then in garage for 10 ft.
Is this the correct wire for this application, Any suggestions? Is 90 amp overkill? To be clear, the 30 amp circuit will be "capped off" and this will replace all of that.
Last edited: