Need some sub panel advice

[72Corvette]

Good morning all,

If this is covered elsewhere I apologize but I have a few questions regarding wiring in a subpanel for the basement wood shop. Any help would be appreciated. I helped my dad who was an electrician but over the last 45 years things have become a bit fuzzy. Here are my questions:
• Service to the house is 200 amp. To serve the wood shop, glass shop and the balance of the basement I was thinking in terms of a 125 amp sub panel. Does this subpanel need a main breaker since it will be fed from the existing house panel (about 2 feet from the existing panel)?
I would prefer a main but is there any issue with two breakers in series.
• The woodshop will be a one man operation so highly unlikely any two machines will be running at the same time. In this scenario is there any issues combining multiple machines on a single circuit. All of my machines require a 15 amp circuit. How many outlets can be connected to one circuit?
Thanks for any advice,

Glen

 

[sberry]

You don't need a 125A panel, it will work, just not needed. You do not need a main, it wont hurt it, just not needed. A 100A panel, a number 6 cable and a 60A breaker makes an ideal feed. They make an 8 space panel just for this. You can connect the panels with pipe too and use different wire but the 6 cable is super easy. Your machines require a minimum of 15A, they really should be connected to 20.

 

[ard]

Agree with above.

A main is fine, no issues with having one or not having one.

I don't think there is a specified limit on number of receptacles. You can have as many 15A receptacles on a 20A circuit as you want, within reason. Will you be wiring with EMT/conduit? In a shop I like 4" boxes with a double duplex in each. The run two circuits to each, so each box allows you to plug into a different circuit if needed. So maybe do two walls with one such 'double circuit' and the other two walls with another.

Can do the same with Romex of course.

 

[gungatim]

is the woodshop a separate building or in your basement?

if in the basement, unless your main panel is full, I see no need for a subpanel. my shop has no subpanel, in the basement, 200a main service. I have 3-220v receptacles, one for the table saw, one for the dust collector, and a third (on the same line as the table saw) for the jointer.

everything else is on 20 amp circuit. 1-man shop, I can run lights, one machine, and dust collector at any given time. I consider it unsafe to leave a machine running and go to another, so max amp draw at any given time is less than 30 amps ...

just food for thought.

 

[barbedwireleather]

may have to be adjusted call Jimmy


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