Need more Juice!!

[amlee]

My new shop/fan cave (TV room) has a 100A service sub panel in it. I've found that i need a couple more 220v outlets in my shop. Is my only option to have a 200A panel replace the 100A? I've read about running the power off the meter buss and not through the house panel, like it currently is with a 100A breaker to the sub panel.
My older Lincoln 250A TIG welder uses a 80A breaker as it is, so i really can't run much else out ther if i max out the welder. I probably use 40-50A worth of power when I weld.
Granted I will have to get an electrician to do this but I would like some input before i pull the trigger.

I want to add a heater..........220V
An 80gal air compressor.........220V
An outlet for my MIG welder.. 220V right now I swap plugs for each use.
Later I would like to kick out a wall by 15ft and expand my shop, which would mean more lights and outlets.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It all depends on the current requirements of the existing shop, the current requirements of the accessories you plan on adding, and how many things may be operating at the same time. Without that information there's no way to answer the question.

You should be able to find various load calculation worksheets online that will help you figure out just what you need.

 

[Dw2500]

I'm an electrician. First off, any panel (no matter what it's rating) is only as good as the wire that's feeding it. You could have a 1,000 amp panel and if the feeder is only rated at 100 amps then you have 100 amps. Also you were mentioning 220 volt receptacles (it's actually 240 volts, just one of my pet peeves). But you can have all the receptacles you want with no problem, it just depends on what you have plugged into them and whether whats plugged in is being used. If you have the lights on, heater blasting, your welding and the compressor kicks on then you may trip a breaker. It just all depends on what the service going to your shop is good for. Best way to know is just hire an electrician. Not your brother's buddy's cousin who used to know a guy that worked with one, but someone who is licensed in your state and has insurance. He can tell you what you have and if you need anything else depending on what you want. If you need any work done then he should get a permit and have it inspected. Then all your bases are covered and if you have any problems he has to answer for it. Also you will be relieved of any liability if something bad were to happen, such as a fire, injury, lawsuit ect. Folks just don't realize the potential hazards they assume when they do the wiring themselves and they don't know what the hell they're doing or by hiring a jack leg to do it. If you can post some pics of your service maybe I can give you an idea.