Split 30A 220V into 2 20A 110V Circuits?

[pparrett]

I'm fairly certain this can be done but I want to make sure I go about it the safest way.

I have a single 30A 220V 10Ga line going from my main panel to my detached garage (Red, Black, White, GND). I would like to have two separate 110V lines without adding another panel in the garage.

Could I replace the main panel breaker with two 20A breakers and then connect one circuit to each hot lines and share the neutral in the garage? Would I still use all 20A wire and outlets in the garage for each of the two circuits? I this correct for a multiwire branch circuit?

Any tips from electricians to keep this "code" would be great!

Thanks!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Since you have the four required wires, I would use the 240v circuit to power a small subpanel located in the garage, and simply tap off the subpanel with whatever you needed. In fact, now that I look and you say it is DETACHED, this is the only way to do this. You are only allowed to have one circuit supplying a building. You cannot have multiple circuits going to a detached building.

Charles

 

[pparrett]

So something like this:
Home Depot: 70A 2 Spaces Load Lug Box

And Wire it like a Sub Panel:
How to Wire a Sub Panel

 

[mrb]

Since you have the four required wires, I would use the 240v circuit to power a small subpanel located in the garage, and simply tap off the subpanel with whatever you needed. In fact, now that I look and you say it is DETACHED, this is the only way to do this. You are only allowed to have one circuit supplying a building. You cannot have multiple circuits going to a detached building.

Charles

he would be ok with what he is describing. MWBC is considered one circuit. The two 20 amps breakers need a handle tie (but they do anyways) if he installs a subpanel at the garage, hes going to have to install grounding electrodes, and isnt there a limitation where a 30 amp fed subpanel can only have two branch circuits in it?

 

[Aceman]

I'm fairly certain this can be done but I want to make sure I go about it the safest way.

I have a single 30A 220V 10Ga line going from my main panel to my detached garage (Red, Black, White, GND). I would like to have two separate 110V lines without adding another panel in the garage.

Could I replace the main panel breaker with two 20A breakers and then connect one circuit to each hot lines and share the neutral in the garage? Would I still use all 20A wire and outlets in the garage for each of the two circuits? I this correct for a multiwire branch circuit?

Any tips from electricians to keep this "code" would be great!

Thanks!

Use a 2 pole 20 amp breaker and you're fine. You also need a disconnect out there as well, the easiest solution would be a 2 pole snap(toggle) switch. Take your number 10's right into the switch as soon as they enter the building. Nothing to it.

 

[Dan0myte]

Like Aceman said, no need for a subpanel if you're just doing a couple of simple outlets.

Just downgrade the breaker inside the house to 20A 220V, then run the one branch to one set of plugs and the other branch to the other set of plugs. Very simple and cost effective.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Subpanels are pretty darned cheap. As cheap as a disconnect. If you ever wanted to upgrade the wire from the house you would be good to go in the garage.

 

[tfi racing]

Like Aceman said, no need for a subpanel if you're just doing a couple of simple outlets.

Just downgrade the breaker inside the house to 20A 220V, then run the one branch to one set of plugs and the other branch to the other set of plugs. Very simple and cost effective.

Not a problem on this side of the border,however it appears that there are several different interpretations of the NEC by the varying responses in this thread.As always,your local rules may vary...