Sub Panel Wiring

[Flanman55]

I know this is a beaten horse type of thread but I can't seem to find the answers I am looking for.

In my garage I have 2 - 220v electric heaters ( Base Board Style ) that I never use. They are on each side of the garage. Now what I am wondering is, can I remove those heaters put in a junction box and run spiral wound wire up to a sub panel on each side and have 2- 15 amp breakers run to 4 power outlets on each side. So I will have 2 sub panels on two walls with 4 outlets.
My garage right now has 2 outlets on one break in the one wall but I would like to have more.

Now the 220v heaters are run off of 2- 30amp 220v breakers ( One Each)...
Is my idea an option or am I screwed?
Also, did I explain this clearly?

Thanks...

 

[Zeke]

Depends on how the heaters are fed. In order to have even one sub panel you need four wires, 2 hot, 1 neutral and a ground all the way back to the panel where the 30 A breakers are. That's not the only reason this would be kinda goofy. Lot of work to drive ground rods for the sub panels. I think I'd just do it from scratch.

Someone else will come along and cite the code. I'll bet it will be too much trouble.

 

[pattenp]

If you are talking about spiral cord then no. Cord cannot be used as permanent wiring. If you are needing just more 120V outlets you can change out the two 30A DP breakers for single 20A breakers and use a junction box at the heater location and branch off to the new outlets. The exiting wire to the heater that is 2 hots and a ground will become one hot and one neutral and a ground by changing the breaker connections in the panel from a 2 pole breaker to a single pole breaker and making one of the wires a neutral. Use #12 wire for the extensions to the new outlets. This is assumed the wire to the heaters is 2 conductors plus a ground.

 

[Flanman55]

No the wire I was thinking of using is the spiral wound aluminum cased stuff. 12/3 I believe.

As far as the code, that's the reason I was asking. When it comes to electricity I would definitely hire that out and get permits but wanted to know if it's possible.

 

[pattenp]

The wire you are talking about is MC cable. Sure it's possible if you throw enough money at it. 12/3 is 3 conductors plus ground. I believe you only need 12/2 which is 2 conductor plus ground. The ground wire is not counted in the numbering.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I know this is a beaten horse type of thread but I can't seem to find the answers I am looking for.

In my garage I have 2 - 220v electric heaters ( Base Board Style ) that I never use. They are on each side of the garage. Now what I am wondering is, can I remove those heaters put in a junction box and run spiral wound wire up to a sub panel on each side and have 2- 15 amp breakers run to 4 power outlets on each side. So I will have 2 sub panels on two walls with 4 outlets.
My garage right now has 2 outlets on one break in the one wall but I would like to have more.

Now the 220v heaters are run off of 2- 30amp 220v breakers ( One Each)...
Is my idea an option or am I screwed?
Also, did I explain this clearly?

Thanks...

Is this an attached or detached garage?

What kind of wire do the heaters have?

Depends on how the heaters are fed. In order to have even one sub panel you need four wires, 2 hot, 1 neutral and a ground all the way back to the panel where the 30 A breakers are. That's not the only reason this would be kinda goofy. Lot of work to drive ground rods for the sub panels. I think I'd just do it from scratch.

Someone else will come along and cite the code. I'll bet it will be too much trouble.

U only need rods if this is a detached garage....

 

[Zeke]

If you are talking about spiral cord then no. Cord cannot be used as permanent wiring. If you are needing just more 120V outlets you can change out the two 30A DP breakers for single 20A breakers and use a junction box at the heater location and branch off to the new outlets. The exiting wire to the heater that is 2 hots and a ground will become one hot and one neutral and a ground by changing the breaker connections in the panel from a 2 pole breaker to a single pole breaker and making one of the wires a neutral. Use #12 wire for the extensions to the new outlets. This is assumed the wire to the heaters is 2 conductors plus a ground.

This is the answer. ^^^^ Sounds like you are new to electrical. You will need to start that outlet chain with a GFCI if you are going to be within the code requirements. If you hie this out and get it inspected, it will be fine.