new 220 hookup amperage

[tmaas21]

Hey guys --- building a new shop. Ready to put electrical in.

Need some help figuring out what amps to use with the 220 service.

Will be running the following off of 220:

1. 2 post lift
2. Air Compressor
3. MIG Welder. (use a Millermatic 212 for argument sake)
4. Plasma Cutter. (again for argument sake, one that will cut 3/8 steel)

Electrician asked me today what I wanted....I think my options were 30, 40 and 50.

My buddy ran 30 amp in his building...and has got along just fine....

Thoughts??

Thanks in advance!

 

[manwithtools]

Bigger the better. If you are using a plasma cutter consider that you will be using the air compressor, the plasma cutter and lighting at the same time. That could use up 30 amps real quick if you have a large compressor and large lighting needs.

If you can get 50 - 60 amps that would be a great starting point. If you have an option to do 100 or more, now is the time to do it as the incremental cost at this point is not all that much. Upgrading later will be expensive.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

 

[Pwrgeek]

How many of those things do you want to use at the same time (before you say one think about how often you'll have a buddy over helping)? How are you planning to source the feed. New line from the Power Company or subfeed out of existing panel? If existing panel how large is that panel's main? Need some more info to help you out.

 

[tmaas21]

Here's the setup. Building a house/shop as one unit --- there is a thread in the gallery....

I have (2) 200 amp panels running the house. A little bit of that is going to the shop, but not much.

Then I have (1) 200 amp panel dedicated to just the shop.

Overkill??? Probably so, but better to do too much than not enough.

I thought he was asking me about each particular 220 outlet, and that I had an option of running a 30 amp 220 line, versus a 40 amp 220 line, etc... Maybe I misunderstood??? I'm far from well versed in electricity...

 

[Falcon67]

Each 240V appliance can have a different size/ampacity depending on the equipment. Good to have a 200A panel in the shop, plenty of breaker spaces. I have 4 240V runs - well, mill/lathe, air compressor (3.5HP) and heater. They are 20A/12 gauge runs except the heater which is 30A/10 gauge. You can put in heavier wire for any run just remember it costs more.

 

[Pwrgeek]

Here's the setup. Building a house/shop as one unit --- there is a thread in the gallery....



I have (2) 200 amp panels running the house. A little bit of that is going to the shop, but not much.



Then I have (1) 200 amp panel dedicated to just the shop.



Overkill??? Probably so, but better to do too much than not enough.



I thought he was asking me about each particular 220 outlet, and that I had an option of running a 30 amp 220 line, versus a 40 amp 220 line, etc... Maybe I misunderstood??? I'm far from well versed in electricity...

This sounds questionable to me. A detached structure can only have one feed. If you are feeding any load in the shop from the house panel then another panel in the shop is a no no. Sounds like you need the services of a good electrician as what you are doing is complicated enough that trying to give good advise over a forum post isn't going to work well. Someone who knows what they are about needs to be on site looking at all the equipment.

If you really do have two 200A panels in the house I want to know what you're building as it must be epic.


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[wyliesdiesels]

Where did he say its detached?

I always start off by asking that.

Anyways, i think what he meant is he will be running 240v lines off of the garage panel.

As far as what size circuits u would need, it depends on the equipment. Air compressors have a range depending on the HP rating of the motor.

Wire for welder circuits is sized based on duty cycle so thats variable as well. While its a good idea, there is no requirement to label an outlet that has downsized wire for a welder.

Do u have the equipment already?

 

[Fallon]

How much stuff can you use at once? I have a welder, plasma cutter, compressor, sandblaster, drill press, grinders & other stuff. 50@ service never gave me a problem. The most intensive thing was either welding (up to 50@ I think) or plasma cutting (30@ + 20@ for the compressor) plus lights, radio & what not.

When getting solar put in, I took the opportunity to upgrade to 125@ service though. Extra overhead will be nice to enable me to do some electric heat stuff. The old wire had some code compliancey issues, although it was mostly in how it was terminated rather than the wire itself.

 

[Pwrgeek]

Where did he say its detached?

I always start off by asking that.

Anyways, i think what he meant is he will be running 240v lines off of the garage panel.

As far as what size circuits u would need, it depends on the equipment. Air compressors have a range depending on the HP rating of the motor.

Wire for welder circuits is sized based on duty cycle so thats variable as well. While its a good idea, there is no requirement to label an outlet that has downsized wire for a welder.

Do u have the equipment already?

First post he said he was building a "new shop" I usually read shop as detached and garage as attached but I guess you are right and I should have asked.


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[CNGsaves]

See the OP's thread on . . . . . "Shouse" . . . . . . 72 x 60 x 16
(all in one thing . . . . house and shop . . . . . shouse)

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290738

 

[theoldwizard1]

My buddy ran 30 amp in his building...and has got along just fine....

You could "get by" with 30A if your welder is not real big and you never user the compressor at the same time. A plasma cutter rules that out as it requires air pressure while cutting.

Without specific current numbers off of the equipment, my S.W.A.G. is 60A, which is pretty common for a "one man" operation (you can not run the welder and the plasma cutter at the same time). Buy a 100A panel just because it will have more slots for breakers.