Future Circuit Termination ?

[barnee]

While I have my walls open on my detached garage build I ran a couple of 8/3 NMB cables for future large power needs (I have plenty of power in the garage).

I have no current use for these circuits but was wondering what would be the most useful way to terminate them (circuit breaker size, receptacle type, 120/240, 30 or 40 amp).

I could just pick the largest breaker allowed and put them in a plated off box for now, or guess at what circuit/receptacle type would be the most common and wire it up that way.

What would you do?

 

[dave89iroc]

wire nut the conductors together at both ends, double box and blank cover plate

 

[rlitman]

wire nut the conductors together at both ends, double box and blank cover plate

+1 If you don't know what you're doing with it, don't connect it to a breaker at all.

By wire nutting everything together to ground in the box, you know instantly that it is not live.

 

[barnee]

Perfect, thanks!

 

[pattenp]

To me #8 for 40A is an odd size to run not knowing what it will be used for. I'd be more inclined to run 6/3 for 50A if anything. The 40A wire can only be used for 30A single use outlet or a welder only outlet or for hardwiring a compressor or such. The 6/3 can be used for all of the above plus a single use 50A outlet.

There is no 40A receptacle.


*

 

[wyliesdiesels]

While I have my walls open on my detached garage build I ran a couple of 8/3 NMB cables for future large power needs (I have plenty of power in the garage).

I have no current use for these circuits but was wondering what would be the most useful way to terminate them (circuit breaker size, receptacle type, 120/240, 30 or 40 amp).

I could just pick the largest breaker allowed and put them in a plated off box for now, or guess at what circuit/receptacle type would be the most common and wire it up that way.

What would you do?

What would you use this for?

Most larger welders need a 50a circuit.

 

[sberry]

They need a 50A circuit, not 50A wire. Some are allowed on a 50, the compact 180 class has a 50 plug but requires only 25 service and buzzer sticks require 50 but come 12 cord. The only cord plug units require 8 are 250 migs, some of them and in home shops will run from a 10 without performance loss or danger to the wire.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

They need a 50A circuit, not 50A wire. Some are allowed on a 50, the compact 180 class has a 50 plug but requires only 25 service and buzzer sticks require 50 but come 12 cord. The only cord plug units require 8 are 250 migs, some of them and in home shops will run from a 10 without performance loss or danger to the wire.

Sure but the OP doesnt have the equipment and doesnt know what model he would get. Neither do you.

If he got a welder with a 60% or higher duty cycle and 50a input, then the #8 NM-b is too small.

 

[barnee]

I also have 6/3 going to a location and will initially be wiring it for an EV charger. I don't have an EV but have been considering them and some of my friends/family have them. if that doesn't materialize it could be used for something else.

The two 8/3 circuits are to try and provide for any future needs for a 20+ to 40 amp piece of equipment which will likely be a compressor and maybe a small welder. since I don't have them I like the idea of just wire nutting them off at both ends.

I also have a 10/3 for my future 4 post lift.

 

[sberry]

No we don't but he said small welder and unless he knows for sure he is going to put a 250 mig in full production the wire size is not much an issue in a practical sense.

 

[sberry]

I asked a couple Buds who are fire investigators in Detroit if they ever see a tire from a comp or welder circuit. Not 1. It's probably happened but I never seen one either and been a career welder for 40 yrs and been around a bit. Not saying not to do it right but a home garage won't be burned down with a cable 2 sizes too small and maybe even 3. Not saying it's something to do but it's not much to lose sleep over compared to other things in the grand scheme.
Btw, fwiw and for giggles, saw a Snappy 250 delivered with a 12 cord. Not sure how that was, maybe a dealer installed it but if it was mine would have been a 10.

 

[matt_i]

I would label with a paper tag (no bare tie-wires for the tag ) as to where it goes and its intended purpose. Maybe even a sketch of its route thru the building.

I forget more and more every year....without those wire labels and notes I put in when I built it, I would be guessing or spend hours poking around following stuff.

 

[reader2580]

I currently do not have a dishwasher so the wire is just sitting there with the breaker off. I had an electrical inspection for installing a standby generator and the inspector recommended I disconnect the wire from the breaker so someone didn't energize it by mistake.

I have several cables run into my main load center for future use. I terminated the conductors with wire nuts so they don't hit something and get energized. Inspector didn't mention them so I assume that is fine.