Future 220, what size wire?

[kTHREE]

I am currently pulling new wire (cat6, speaker, 12/2, 14/3...ect) into my garage from my main breaker into the garage.

I don't plan on hooking up 220 for a while but would like to run the wire.
No idea on required amps but at most I'd like to be running a welder and possibly compressor.

I have 10/3 sitting at home right now, would this be plenty for a ~75 foot run?
What size breaker would I be maxing out at with 10/3?
Would like to keep it 3 conductor + ground just in case.

 

[sberry]

The 10 is good for 30 in this case, it will run one appliance at a time like a small welder or a modest compressor and may work but be too small to be legal with some comps. Is this an attached garage?

 

[kTHREE]

Is this an attached garage?

Yes.

Compressor size would be a very entry level 220v if I even bother to upgrade from my current.
I doubt I'll ever run anything at the same time honestly.

 

[sberry]

If this is a single voltage circuit 10/2 with ground and put a 30A breaker, 6-50-R recept on it. This is a welder plug and will serve 3 hp comps. Use 2 conductors and the ground wire with the wire you have.

 

[kTHREE]

Should I even bother with 10/3 and just go 10/2, I guess it's only 13 dollar difference for 100ft.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I'd run 6/3 out there and just install a sub panel to feed everything.

 

[kTHREE]

I'd run 6/3 out there and just install a sub panel to feed everything.

I'm not looking for that much fun.

 

[AntonLargiader]

If you ever want to charge an EV you will probably want a 40A circuit. Of course the sky is really the limit there; you could want 50A and you could want 90A but the mainstream EVs right now are happy with 40.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I'm not looking for that much fun.

It would be less work than feeding all the circuits from the
Main,easier to add things later.

 

[sberry]

Lots easier. It gives local disconnects too, saves a lot of work down the line. It would allow for a 50A welder circuit if ever needed or a full size comp.

 

[kTHREE]

It would be less work than feeding all the circuits from the
Main,easier to add things later.

Everything is already run however, minus the 10/3

Lots easier. It gives local disconnects too, saves a lot of work down the line. It would allow for a 50A welder circuit if ever needed or a full size comp.

Understandable, but this is even reaching for me to get a welder some day if you get my drift.

 

[pattenp]

If you have no other use for the 10/3 then use it. You can cap off the neutral and leave it disconnected in the panel.

And by the way, 220V has been long gone, it's 240V.

 

[kTHREE]

And by the way, 220V has been long gone, it's 240V.

If I said 240 to anyone around here they would correct me to 220, it's just just of those things.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Is that because . . . . it's . . . . Minnesooooooota ??!!??##?&&!@?? . .

 

[pattenp]

If I said 240 to anyone around here they would correct me to 220, it's just just of those things.

No... you need to correct them.

 

[American Locomotive]

No... you need to correct them.

No he doesn't. Every one around here calls it 220 as well.

 

[pattenp]

No he doesn't. Every one around here calls it 220 as well.

That doesn't make it correct.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

No he doesn't. Every one around here calls it 220 as well.

So that somehow makes it right?

I must say im always quite perplexed by people calling it 220 especially those that know its 240...

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

No... you need to correct them.

I can drive in a 50 mile radius of omaha and get voltage ratings anywhere from 220 to 240.
Its,not that big of a deal folks.

 

[American Locomotive]

That doesn't make it correct.

Have you ever called a non-Xerox photocopier a "Xerox" machine? Have you ever called generic clear adhesive tape "Scotch Tape"? Have you ever called a generic adhesive bandage a "Band-Aid"? Have you ever told someone to "Google" something, when you meant for them to just do a web search? You call the above items certain brands regardless of whether or not they're actually the brand name, because those brands were the first or best at making that product.

When electricity was first beginning to become widely distributed in the U.S., it was 110/220v. It was then bumped to 115/230 and later 120/240, but people had been calling it 110/220 for decades, so they still continued to call it 110/220.

I'm all for correcting people over wrong terminology when it makes a difference, but there is no confusion or uncertainty caused by people calling 240v "220". We all know what they're talking about. They've called it 220 their entire life, and they're not about to change.

 

[Norcal]

But if someone does not know the correct voltages, they fail on the basic things & they damn well should not be doing wiring, call a qualified electrical contractor.

110/220 are prewar voltages.

 

[American Locomotive]

Sorry, but that's an absurd statement. So if somone calls a Minolta photocopier a Xerox machine, they should go find a qualified office assistant?

It doesn't matter that 220 is old, it has become a "generic" term in many areas for 240v. I call 240v "220", my father and grand father (licensed master electricians) call 240v, 220. We all know that the "220" is 240v nominal. The "220" is just a name, and nothing more.

Just like how many southern states call any soft drink "coke". In my area, we call 240v 220, even though we all know it's 240v.

 

[kTHREE]

On a related note, as I was dicking around pulling wire last night.
I swear to god my breaker panel "hummed" for like 3 seconds last night out of the blue.
No appliances were on nor running, I even had the fridge disconnected since we are redoing the flooring.

Haven't messed with the breaker box yet so I know it wasn't my doing.
Ever heard of this before? Anything I should look for when I add my new line tonight?

 

[pattenp]

Sorry, but that's an absurd statement. So if somone calls a Minolta photocopier a Xerox machine, they should go find a qualified office assistant?

It doesn't matter that 220 is old, it has become a "generic" term in many areas for 240v. I call 240v "220", my father and grand father (licensed master electricians) call 240v, 220. We all know that the "220" is 240v nominal. The "220" is just a name, and nothing more.

Just like how many southern states call any soft drink "coke". In my area, we call 240v 220, even though we all know it's 240v.

I understand what you are saying but I don’t agree that it fits in this case. Referring to the 240V US standard as 220V is not the same as using a common product name to identify a group of same use/type of products. The voltage is a quantitative value and using 220V to imply 240V is not correct even though many people will identify with the use of 220. If some people want to continue to call an apple an orange that’s their choice. My point was to educate people that 110V/220V is not the voltage standard anymore.

 

[PCustoms]

Guess this is no longer relevant then?

 

[pattenp]

Guess this is no longer relevant then?

That's funny. Good find. The new general voltage to use is 221V.

 

[Sal Bandini]

Yet everyone on this thread knew exactly what OP was talking about.

This is about as absurd as gun people getting upset over clip vs magazine. If I say I bought extra clips for my Glock everyone knows what I'm talking about.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

One thing some of you arent realizing is that from time to time we get international folks on here who really do have 220v....since many dont put their location in their profile we have no idea...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I understand what you are saying but I don’t agree that it fits in this case. Referring to the 240V US standard as 220V is not the same as using a common product name to identify a group of same use/type of products. The voltage is a quantitative value and using 220V to imply 240V is not correct even though many people will identify with the use of 220. If some people want to continue to call an apple an orange that’s their choice. My point was to educate people that 110V/220V is not the voltage standard anymore.

Those are 2 different things...

 

[Sal Bandini]

One thing some of you arent realizing is that from time to time we get international folks on here who really do have 220v....since many dont put their location in their profile we have no idea...

There's international folks that use 240V as well, so that doesn't solve anything.

 

[Sal Bandini]

One thing some of you arent realizing is that from time to time we get international folks on here who really do have 220v....since many dont put their location in their profile we have no idea...

And also, most international people on this forum use 230, not 220.

 

[Norcal]

And also, most international people on this forum use 230, not 220.

The EU harmonized voltages, because some used 380/220V, others used 415/240V, to 400/230V, all the voltages stayed the same, just called something different.


Middle East, & Africa, use 380/220V

 

[Sal Bandini]

Yes and most international folks on this forum live in EU, more than live in ME or Africa.

Plus, OP discussed AWG, which is not common outside of NA. It is painfully obvious what he was referring to.

EDIT: Plus his location is listed as "MN".

 

[sberry]

I call it a copier, while some use slang I learned to call things by the right name. This forum is educational, we should use the correct terms for the most part. I am usually suspect when people dont especially if they offer advice but can't get something as basic as the voltage correct.

 

[CNGsaves]

I call it a copier, while some use slang I learned to call things by the right name. This forum is educational, we should use the correct terms for the most part. I am usually suspect when people don't know, especially if they offer advice but can't get something as basic as the voltage correct.

^ ^ ^ Kinda like the guy/woman in parts store getting oil filter . .
.....
PARTS GUY: What kind of car do you have ??
CAR OWNER: The green one !!! . .

 

[kTHREE]

Wow sorry I asked.
I'm still going to call it 220 *******.

 

[sberry]

As Norcal said pre war, i think he meant WW11.

 

[TractorJeff]

WOW! Probably close to 25 posts on 220V! You guys must be interrupting your Happy Hour!
Anyways back to Minnesota where the guy wants to run a wire.
I'd tell you to run a 6-3 wire out there on a 50 amp breaker. Welder, GJ size Compressor, Stove for Powder Coat baking, EV or never use it. My brothers attached garage is fed off from the house panel and that's how his is wired (same as your doing).
PS
Where I grew up there were TONS of oil wells. All the motors were 440 volt even though down by the road they ran on 480 but 2 hills back, they ran on 420!
Also we had 110/220 in our houses.
LOL!
Just throwing a little Coal Oil on the fire.......

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I'm all for correcting people over wrong terminology when it makes a difference, but there is no confusion or uncertainty caused by people calling 240v "220". We all know what they're talking about. They've called it 220 their entire life, and they're not about to change.

I think this is the key, people refuse to change if it causes them any stress. I'll always call it 120/240 and if people don't understand it's their fault for living in the past.

When I worked retail for a bit, the old guys who had a problem with this were the same ones throwing a fit when I told them something wouldn't meet code and they said they've always done it that way, like nothing ever changes.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

WOW! Probably close to 25 posts on 220V! You guys must be interrupting your Happy Hour!
Anyways back to Minnesota where the guy wants to run a wire.
I'd tell you to run a 6-3 wire out there on a 50 amp breaker. Welder, GJ size Compressor, Stove for Powder Coat baking, EV or never use it. My brothers attached garage is fed off from the house panel and that's how his is wired (same as your doing).
PS
Where I grew up there were TONS of oil wells. All the motors were 440 volt even though down by the road they ran on 480 but 2 hills back, they ran on 420!
Also we had 110/220 in our houses.

Thats probably due to voltage drop....service back then was 460v and thus motors were rated 440.....todays 480v motors are actually rated @ 460v. Dual voltage motors are rated 230/460....

Running a motor on slightly higher voltage is actually a good thing as the running amps are lower and thus the operating temperature is lower which obviously prolongs the motor's life.

LOL!
Just throwing a little Coal Oil on the fire.......

you forgot this