Multiple 30A outlets on one breaker?

[BackAgain]

I am installing multiple 120v 30A outlets around my shop for my welder and my air compressor. I would like six outlets in total, but can't afford that much wire and that many breakers to make each outlet dedicated. I probably won't ever use more than one at once, and would like to install them on 2 seperate circuits.

Am I allowed, under the NEC, to install more than one 120v 30A outlet on a single breaker, the same way you can with standard 15/20A outlets? Or does each and every one have to have a dedicated breaker? For the purposes of this question anything being plugged in does not need to be on a dedicated circuit itself.

 

[mrb]

im pretty sure you can do it

 

[Iroc-Z]

You don't need a breaker for each outlet. I didn't know you could run 30 amps on 120V.

 

[Mattlt]

I didn't know you could run 30 amps on 120V.

Common for RV hookups.

 

[mrb]

You don't need a breaker for each outlet. I didn't know you could run 30 amps on 120V.

why not? you can put in a 100 amp 120v receptacle if you want...(dont know what you would plug into it but the receptacles and single pole 100a breakers are available...)

 

[koditten]

Did you mean 30 amp 220 volt?

 

[Tscott]

Did you mean 30 amp 220 volt?

30A 120 VAC is pretty common in the RV world. They look just like a big version of the standard 15A/20A plug.

Tom

 

[mrb]

30A 120 VAC is pretty common in the RV world. They look just like a big version of the standard 15A/20A plug.

Tom

there are a few 30a 125v connectors. Theres NEMA 5-30 which looks like a big household plug with one pin in an L shape. There is TT-30 which is the RV connector, round ground pin and two flat blades at 45deg angles. Then theres the L5-30 which is 30a 125v twistlock. There are also some industrial types such as pin and sleeve which arent worth getting into here.

 

[TheGrooveking]

You can do it but must make sure the wires are of large enough gage to handle the full amperage of the breaker and like wise the outlet too.

TheGrooveking

 

[Aceman]

30A 120 VAC is pretty common in the RV world. They look just like a big version of the standard 15A/20A plug.

Tom

RV receps are pretty much unique, plus the OP made no mention of an RV.

So I'm also going to assume he meant 240v. But to answer the question, if your load can't exceed the breaker rating you're fine. For instance, if you're wheeling your welder around and plugging into different receps(same circuit) to keep it closer to the work, you're OK. Or if you have a welder and air compressor both plugging into the same recep, meaning you have to unplug one to plug in the other you're OK. But if you have a 20 amp welder and a 20 amp air compressor both plugged into the same 30 amp circuit at the same time(even if you say you won't run them at the same time), you're not OK. That is a violation and poor design.

210.23 spells it out.

 

[BackAgain]

No, it's 120v. Lots of stuff uses it. Specifically my welder and air compressor. In fact one of each type of outlet wouldn't be a bad idea...

But if you have a 20 amp welder and a 20 amp air compressor both plugged into the same 30 amp circuit at the same time(even if you say you won't run them at the same time), you're not OK. That is a violation and poor design.

I'm mostly concerned with what the code has to say about the wiring in the walls. If I want to plug in 15 welders into the same outlet, I'm not about to let the government tell me I can't do that.

(of course it really shouldn't matter how many things you have plugged in as long as you have the right breaker in place)

 

[djjsr]

I'm mostly concerned with what the code has to say about the wiring in the walls.

Just curious, what type of 10 ga. are you planning on running in the walls? Are you using conduit?

 

[BackAgain]

Just curious, what type of 10 ga. are you planning on running in the walls? Are you using conduit?

Yeah. Not actualy "in the walls" due to them being concrete, but THHN in EMT.

 

[Falcon67]

tthere are a few 30a 125v connectors. Theres NEMA 5-30

We've got bunches of 3000VA APC UPS's with 30A 120V requirements on campus. IIRC, they are all 5-30s.

 

[mrb]

We've got bunches of 3000VA APC UPS's with 30A 120V requirements on campus. IIRC, they are all 5-30s.

the UPSs usually have a twistlock, which would be a L5-30.

 

[sberry]

Ideally a compressor would have its own wire/circuit and you could put a couple on a welder circuit for convenience. What welder is it that has 30A connector? In a garage where equipment tends to be stationary the ideal would be to be using 240 if possible, I am not a big fan of general 30a/120 circuits.