New sub panel garage installation

[jack bacon]

I need to install a subpanel in the garage to handle 20A 240V compressor circuit and a 20A 120 V for the receptacles. I don't think I will need any other hookups to the subpanel.

Should I go with a 50A or 40A sub panel breaker? I assume with a 40A I will need #8 wire and a 50A will need #6 wire. I will have a run of about 20 feet from the main box tout of the house and then into the attached garage location.

Thanks guys!

Jack

 

[05wrangler]

your sub panel will most likely be greater than 40 or 50 amps. its the breaker you buy. I would go with a 50A breaker and # 6 wire that way you can add something else if needed

 

[CoopVA]

Just like a garage, bigger is always better...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Spend a few bucks more and go big !

You can get a Square D 6 space load center from Home Depot for $20. Use MHF 2-2-2-4 cable (requires conduit above ground). Put a 70A breaker in your main.

 

[2ManyProjects]

I need to install a subpanel in the garage to handle 20A 240V compressor circuit and a 20A 120 V for the receptacles.

First, is this an attached, or detached, garage? Yes, it makes a difference.

I don't think I will need any other hookups to the subpanel.

What about lights? Other power tools/machinery (now or later)? If you're going to go to the trouble of setting up a sub-panel, it makes sense to size it (in terms of both current capacity and the number of possible branch breakers) to handle ALL of your anticipated (and maybe not-so-anticipated) loads. Sure beats having to do it over, later.

Should I go with a 50A or 40A sub panel breaker? I assume with a 40A I will need #8 wire and a 50A will need #6 wire.

It depends to some extent on the specific TYPE of wire, and the temperature rating of its insulation & jacket. How it is installed can also have an impact, at least sometimes.

I will have a run of about 20 feet from the main box tout of the house and then into the attached garage location.

Ah, HA! So it is attached, but you are in effect wiring it as if it were detached.

I suppose that would still technically qualify as "attached", from a code perspective. So at least in theory you can get away with having multiple power feeds into the garage from the main panel. But this still would NOT be the neatest/cleanest way to do things.

 

[2ManyProjects]

Spend a few bucks more and go big !

You can get a Square D 6 space load center from Home Depot for $20.

You're calling a six-slot load center "Go Big!"?!?

Use MHF 2-2-2-4 cable (requires conduit above ground). Put a 70A breaker in your main.

Why do you keep recommending a 70A breaker for use with 2-2-2-4 MHF? In every application I'm aware of, that cable is good for at least 90A, sometimes 100A.