Running multiple 220 outlets on one circuit?

[james]

I've been thinking bout the electric on my soon to be 30x40 garage, and I want to run 220 to at least all four corners. This is for my Hobart 250 welder. Since obviously I can only use one plug at a time I'd like to run the all on the same circuit (don't want to fill up the breaker box with seperate circuits.) This is a pretty big welder amp wise, so big wire. How can I wire a few off 1 breaker? Seems like I couldn't even fit that much wire behind a plug. Any ideas? I've done subpanels and such before, just never something like this.

 

[brownbagg]

I did it for the same reason, you going ahave to wire nut at the plug in a junction box. go from one plug to another, to another

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The specs show 35 amps at 230 volts. You really need a 45 or 50 amp breaker, and #6 wire. You could use a 40 amp breaker and #8 wire, but if you do any amount of welding at or near the welders capacity, you are exceeding 80% of the breakers capacity, and I don't like to do that. Making decent splices is difficult on this size wire and you will need a good sized box to do each junction in.

If you only carry the two #6 hots and a #10 ground and had wires in, wires out to an outlet in an adjoining box and wires out to the next box, you could legally use a 2-1/8 deep 4x4 box to make the splices, but it would be tough to work in. I'd use a 4-11/16 square deep box to give you lots of room for the splices, then put the receptacles in 4x4x2-1/8 boxes. You will spend alot of money on this project.

The above being said, you will be much better off rigging up an extension cord for the welder and running it off an outlet located where you expect to do most of your work. One receptacle, one run of wire, one box, no splices, and an extension cord has to be cheaper and easier than four receptacles and boxes plus a couple of more boxes for splices in the run, and all the wire needed for this project.

Charles

Charles

 

[rodnok1]

I agree with extension cord instead of multiple outlets, a centered outlet and 50' cord would be all you need, I use 2-25' extension cords. It was alot cheaper than running wire to outside wall . I just use as many as ness. It seems like alot of cord, buy you would need 25' anyways to weld in center of shop.

 

[Roospike]

Another for the extention cord.

I ran a outlet about 10' away from the breaker box ( box is in the corner of the building ) If i need to go longer then the cord on the MM210 then i get the 50' extention cord out and can even weld in the front driveway .

The one outlet and a 50' extention cord is going to be cheaper in the final then running it all the way around the shop.

 

[carguy123]

Hmmm. I was just about to do the same thing.

The electrician say they do it all the time.

I have #8 wire already bought.

 

[james]

Hmm, maybe I'll use two breakers and put one outlet in two sides, then I can use a shorter cord. Plus one of these days i might upgrade my comp to a 220. Does anyone make better "ends" for a 220 ext. cord? I made one with a junction box and outlet, it'd be nice to have a smaller ends on it. Is there more voltage drop using an extension?

 

[ZRX61]

1 25ft extension would be sufficient, when added to the length of the cord on the welder, plus the length between the welder & the gun will be at least 40ft

 

[chaingang]

Use twist lock plug ends and a mating receptacle for the wall. They are very pricey but are considered a disconnect and are a lot safer than an oven plug. They come in various NEMA ratings for amperage and voltage. We use them on cords for movable equipment upto 600 volt and 50 amps.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Hmm, maybe I'll use two breakers and put one outlet in two sides, then I can use a shorter cord. Plus one of these days i might upgrade my comp to a 220. Does anyone make better "ends" for a 220 ext. cord? I made one with a junction box and outlet, it'd be nice to have a smaller ends on it. Is there more voltage drop using an extension?

You won't see any more voltage drop running a 50 ft #6 extension cord than if you ran 50 ft of wire in the wall to an outlet. A #6 flexible cord such as a Generator output cord is around $275 with the end connectors. Its a little pricey but has some distinct advantages over outlets in the wall. The extension cord allows you to take the welder outside, possibly working in the driveway or some unusual spot, you are not tied to being near one of the outlets.

Charles

 

[Roospike]

Is the Hobart 250 in need of #6 or #8 wire/extention cord ?
What is the max amp draw listed?

 

[thefairlaneman]

Why not have one close to the breaker box and another one on the oposite side. I have one in the front and one at the back. This lets me weld at either end using just the standard length plug in wire that came with the welder. My air compressor has its own 220 breaker.It wouldnt be a good idea to have just one 220 circuit if you ever plan for any tools/machines that also require 220

 

[BowtieNut]

I just ran 2 welder outlets. One at the back by the bench, and one at the other end close to the door. I just ran them on separate breakers, even though I'll likely never use them both at the same time. Between those two I can reach just about anywhere in the shop without an extension, and even outside onto the driveway a little ways. If I need to go further, I can use the 20ft extension that I made out of the leftover 6ga that I used for the outlets. Even after all electrical is done, I still have 4 empty slots in my breaker box, so space wasn't really an issue for me there though. The only thing that it cost me "extra" was maybe 10 ft of wire, and one breaker, but it was much easier to do.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Bowtie.You have the same logic I do. Its good to have a way to weld outside when possible for safety reasons.

 

[hawkeye2]

I put in 4 30 amp oulets off one breaker and 3 50 amp outlets off one breaker in my shop.

Ran the wire up the wall and down the length of the builing. any where I wanted to add an outlet I installed a double gang box in the ceiling to make a 'T' junction and ran the leg of the 'T' down to the outlet. Was tough to cram the wires backinto the box but they all work. And I don't need to use an extension cord!!!

 

[wayoff]

Having rented a garage for 10 years and using one outlet by the panel with an extension cord, I strongly suggest doing whatever is necessary to run power to as many outlets as you think you will need. I hate having to pull out 25' of extension cord every time I need to use my welder, and it is one thing I will be very adamant about in my new shop. I wouldn't build a shop that doesn't have all the outlets that I need. It's something that I am going to have to live with for a long time. In the grand scheme of things, this is not a big ticket item. Dig deep and do it right the first time. You will thank yourself later.

 

[Morrisman]

I did it for the same reason, you going ahave to wire nut at the plug in a junction box. go from one plug to another, to another

We do it all the time in the UK, 'cos all we use is 220 volts.

We use what is called a 'ring main' where your wires leave your main breaker box, go to each socket in turn, then come back round to the breaker box, effectively doubling the available powerline to each socket. Most 220 sockets here will be 13 amp too, or they take a plug that has a 13 amp fues in, but all are wired to a 35 amp breaker. (I had to 'beef up' the fuse in the plug for my Mig welder as it blew too often)

My new shop will have maybe eight double sockets around the walls, wired as mentioned above. Also a couple of double sockets under the front of the workbench, so there are no wires trailing across the bench when I'm using my angle grinder or drill on the bench.

Here;s a beefy UK plug and socket for anybody who's never seen one closeup. This is a single, but they do come with two sockets in one housing too. And in steel, and with switches built in: