Help me run 220v to my attached garage, please :)

[the shaolin]

So, I just moved into a single story house and I want to run a 220v, 30a circuit to my garage for a heater and welder (one at a time).

The garage is attached, but there is a breezeway between the garage and house (with no basement under it).

Here's what the wiring looks like.

Main feed from outside feeds a 100a box.

Which feeds a 60a sub panel, through the basement.

Some wires run up, into the floor, through the attic, and down to a few different places in the garage. There's this box thing...

F-Feed from Subpanel B
1 - runs to an outlet
2 - ceiling light, two garage door openers, ceiling outlet
3 - runs to an outlet

One corner of the garage (Designated G1 in the first picture) used to have a bathroom installed. They ripped the wall out and just left the outlet dangling.

And the back wall of the garage has a few outlets. (G2)

Now, for the fun part.

I bought 25 feet of 10-4 armored cable, a 30a 220v breaker, and a 30a 220v outlet and box. I just got out of the attic and it's a ******* mess up there. After that, I'd much rather try to use some of the existing wiring, rather than try to pull wire vertically through the whole house. That would really not be fun.




So, what do you think? What information do you need to walk me through this? What's my best option from here?

 

[pattenp]

Why are't you adding the circuit off of sub-panel in the garage? Why run from the main panel?

 

[the shaolin]

Why are't you adding the circuit off of sub-panel in the garage? Why run from the main panel?

Can I do that? I'm an idiot at this sort of stuff.

 

[pattenp]

I don't see a reason why not. You have the space in the panel. Also for a straight 240v circuit you only need 10/2 with ground. You don't need the neutral wire, that gives you 120v on the same circuit.

One issue may be if you have the heater cranked up and the stove going and the dishwasher going may trip the 60a breaker.

 

[matt151617]

I don't see a reason why not. You have the space in the panel. Also for a straight 240v circuit you only need 10/2 with ground. You don't need the neutral wire, that gives you 120v on the same circuit.

One issue may be if you have the heater cranked up and the stove going and the dishwasher going may trip the 60a breaker.

From the panel you still need a neutral. 4 conductors total for 240v.

You'll need a subpanel for the garage. Make sure you buy a ground bar kit for it. The neutral and ground bar must be seperated in the subpanel.

 

[pattenp]

He already has a sub-panel in the garage. And he does not need 4 wires for a 240V circuit only 3 are needed (2 hots and ground). He wants an outlet for a heater and or welder. A neutral is not needed for 240V.

From the panel you still need a neutral. 4 conductors total for 240v.

You'll need a subpanel for the garage. Make sure you buy a ground bar kit for it. The neutral and ground bar must be seperated in the subpanel.

 

[BMS]

For a second, I thought you were posting pics of my house. I think whoever owned yours, owned mine too and decided to build twins.

I assume the heater and welder are being plugged into an outlet one at a time?

 

[matt151617]

Is that weird little box labeled 1,2,3, and F a subpanel? If so I'd just replace it, espeically if you want 240v circuits. Replacing a subpanel is cheap and easy, just time consuming. Again, make sure the neutral is isolated from the ground.

In regards to the 4 wires, he needs 4 wires from the other subpanel or main panel to the garage subpanel for 240v. After the circuit leaves the breaker in the garage supanel, then yes, he only needs 3 wires.

 

[pattenp]

His (B) sub-panel is a 100A 24 space QO main breaker panel and his (C) sub-panel in the garage is a QO 24 space main lug panel. He doesn't need to add or replace any of the sub-panels. He has plenty of space in (C) sub-panel to add the 240V circuit. See first five pictures in OP.

Is that weird little box labeled 1,2,3, and F a subpanel? If so I'd just replace it, espeically if you want 240v circuits. Replacing a subpanel is cheap and easy, just time consuming. Again, make sure the neutral is isolated from the ground.

In regards to the 4 wires, he needs 4 wires from the other subpanel or main panel to the garage subpanel for 240v. After the circuit leaves the breaker in the garage supanel, then yes, he only needs 3 wires.

 

[the shaolin]

For a second, I thought you were posting pics of my house. I think whoever owned yours, owned mine too and decided to build twins.

I assume the heater and welder are being plugged into an outlet one at a time?

Hah, that's funny. Yes, welder and heater each take 21 amps...so instead of trying to run a 50 amp circuit, I decided to put a 30 in with one outlet and two plugs...idiot proof.

His (B) sub-panel is a 100A 24 space QO main breaker panel and his (C) sub-panel in the garage is a QO 24 space main lug panel. He doesn't need to add or replace any of the sub-panels. He has plenty of space in (C) sub-panel to add the 240V circuit. See first five pictures in OP.

I've asked a few different people and nobody is recommending this. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm saying I'd much rather do it your way if it will actually work.

1) The box in the garage (C) has two push button breakers on it. These don't seem to do much of anything. I'm not sure what the box is for.
2) How can I get 220v out of that box when the feed is 110v (and probably not very thick wire?)

 

[79mudbugg]

let me ask a ques. the first pic with the 100a main is that main panel A?

 

[pattenp]

Okay I'm totally confused by your diagram and pictures. I thought the 24 space ML center was panel (C) in your diagram. If that little box with the two buttons is (C) then forget what I've suggested. You can't get 240V off that little box. Sorry my mistake. You will need to come off of (B) panel. I see now that (A) is the 100A main. The wording above the pictures got me confused.

........

1) The box in the garage (C) has two push button breakers on it. These don't seem to do much of anything. I'm not sure what the box is for.
2) How can I get 220v out of that box when the feed is 110v (and probably not very thick wire?)

 

[the shaolin]

Bah. All that work trying to be as descriptive as possible and I forget to label the pictures :/ Yes, the two boxes (100a and 60a) are in the basement. That clears that up...haha.


Next question...

Someone said B is already overloaded and I should pull the 240v feed off of A. Opinions?

 

[pattenp]

The better scenario would be to come off of (A). Man what can I say... you have a mess. Sorry

Bah. All that work trying to be as descriptive as possible and I forget to label the pictures :/ Yes, the two boxes (100a and 60a) are in the basement. That clears that up...haha.


Next question...

Someone said B is already overloaded and I should pull the 240v feed off of A. Opinions?

 

[tacomania]

Looking at panel B you have two circuits running to your garage with the use of improper breakers. These two 20amp breakers should have a tie bar. So, in fact you already have 220 in your garage unless the breakers are empty. You definately need a new panel in garage and what size are the feeders to your garage?