Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
In trying to plan for the future, I will/would like to run a couple of 220v 30A runs...one to each side of my shop just in case I get a large DP, or a small Mill/Lathe, etc.. Should I run 10-2/L6-30 or 10-3/L14-30?
Machine Tool Wiring...2 or 3 Conductor 220v ?
- Thread starter Spudland_Dave
- Start date
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
If it is strictly for 240V motors use 10-2/L6 (with ground). 240V motors do not need a neutral.
Alchymist
Well-known member
When in doubt put in the 12-3. If the particular machine doesn't need a neutral, no biggie. If you have 12-2 and find a machine that needs a neutral....well....ain't gonna work. Things change as time passes.
OP
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
I know they dont...on something like a compressor, easy enough, not too much debate.
What I'm thinking of is along the lines of my current Bandsaw...came pre-wired for 110, but I can flip the motor over to 220. Because theres a work light on it it has 2 power cords, which has always been a nuisance, If I would ever flip it to 220v I would wire it all togther with 1 power cord, in which case I would need the Neutral. I just didnt know if it was common out there.
Becuase I've got a bunch of free L6-30R's already in stock, I'll probably run the 10-3 wire, leave the Neutral coiled up in the box and if I ever need it, I'm only a recep change away.
BigGMC
Well-known member
Sounds like a good plan for the future.
My problem is that i can't decide where to locate the 240v ckts. One day, I mark out some locations and the next day i'm out there and decide against it!
OP
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Sounds like a good plan for the future.
My problem is that i can't decide where to locate the 240v ckts. One day, I mark out some locations and the next day i'm out there and decide against it!
Dont even get me started on the location thing....I'm overthinking things to the point of getting nothing done....Specifically on the mounting height of the boxes on that end of the shop. Over on the "Car Parking" end, I went with 24" off the floor to the bottom of the boxes, nice height, I love it. BUT, for the outlets on the shop end...I've been second guessing myself every other day. Today or Tomorrow I'll have to figure things out and run with it.
Falcon67
Well-known member
I put all my boxes 48" off the floor. Working great so far. On the big machines, I ran 240v lines directly to the machine with a shutoff at the machine. Any 120v accessories are plugged into a wall quad at the machine. I might need light, etc at a machine but may well want the machine dead for repair or some such. The little stuff eats up plugs but I don't find that inconvenient. A quad on a wall behind a mill isn't very handy already.
OP
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
The theory behind 48" is solid...problem to me is my switch boxes are 44" off the floor...so it would look odder then hell IMO. Going with 44" all around is one of my thoughts...On one wall where the workbench will be, thats a sealed deal...44" to allow me to put in "Kitchen Type" cabinets down the road.
I always opt for the added neutral if cost is not an issue. Spare conductors are always a good thing. I prefer a conduit system in a shop environment for the purpose of pulling future circuits and changing things up. Nothing wrong with 44" on everything as long as it doesn't conflict with work bench or equipment elevations.
This is going to depend on how a 3Ø machine is going to be powered, if a VFD is used, a 240V supply is all that is required, if a RPC is used, then how the power will distributed is a whole 'nother topic, I won't even go into static converters are they are worthless.
Of course, having 3Ø power is way better then any conversion method.
OP
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
I did exactly this on one of the boxes...I have some 3/4" ENT run down to it. Was going to do the same with the other one, no real "need" for it at this time. Only thing I NEED to do is get the boxes installed so I can insulate & sheetrock.
Sounds like a good plan for the future.
My problem is that i can't decide where to locate the 240v ckts. One day, I mark out some locations and the next day i'm out there and decide against it!
That's why I prefer surface-mount conduit for shops. It's a shop, not a 5-star hotel -- why restrict yourself to the limits of in-wall wiring?