Future proofing...

[gsea]

Do you fellas overwire for future proofing? Right now, I'm adding an outlet for 30A/240V equipment, so it requires just 10-2 to a 6-30 outlet.

In the future, who knows what I may want to use the outlet for? Worth it to put in 10-3 and a more common plug or even 6-3 to accommodate any future possibilities requiring a 120/240 outlet or higher amperage?

 

[hh76]

Not sure how long the distance is, but may not cost all that much more to go with #8, or even #6.

 

[gsea]

This is about 22ft, so prob $50 more

 

[rockwithjason]

the best future proof is conduit. then you can pull anything you want up to the conduits fill capacity

 

[sberry]

There is not really much use in preparing for every contingency,. make it so you can but so far nothing takes 3 conductor and if you need a bigger wire its likely for another piece that needs its own anyway.

 

[the gypsy]

No matter how much you future proof or over think it, chances are it (the wire or Plug) will not be at the right place. I know I have tried it and cannot say that I was right all the time.

 

[Norcal]

the best future proof is conduit. then you can pull anything you want up to the conduits fill capacity

This is the best advice.

 

[theoldwizard1]

the best future proof is conduit. ...

OVERSIZED conduit !

 

[alfredeneuman]

In addition to the conduit, use some Deep 4" square or 4-11/16" square boxes where you think you'll need them.

 

[unsinkable]

Given the chance, I always run a 3 wire even for 240 volt applications.
This way I always have a neutral there if I need it. Sometimes you want to change to a multiwire 120 volt ckt, or maybe a 120 volt tap, ya never know.

 

[imjustdave]

In a garage? Maybe a electric car charging station. If so 30 is to small. If your doing it because your sheet rocking it I would run big conduit and leave it empty

 

[gsea]

In a garage? Maybe a electric car charging station. If so 30 is to small. If your doing it because your sheet rocking it I would run big conduit and leave it empty

I think those require 40A and a 8 ga wire. But then I might as well go to 6 and have the ability for 50A... its an endless spiral, haha.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Oversize conduit, deep boxes and pull what you need later.

I'm not an electrician by trade, so I don't know if it's legal, but I would leave a few pull strings in there also.

 

[imjustdave]

I think those require 40A and a 8 ga wire. But then I might as well go to 6 and have the ability for 50A... its an endless spiral, haha.

As new cars come the chargers are getting bigger. . I think tesla can do 80+ amps right now.....

 

[rockwithjason]

Oversize conduit, deep boxes and pull what you need later.

I'm not an electrician by trade, so I don't know if it's legal, but I would leave a few pull strings in there also.

totally legal

 

[Syberia]

I think those require 40A and a 8 ga wire. But then I might as well go to 6 and have the ability for 50A... its an endless spiral, haha.

#8, if using individual conductors in conduit, is actually good for 50 amps.