Tapping into a subpanel feed

[engineer2]

I have an existing #6 THHN run to a detached shed on a 60A breaker. Shed subpanel has 20A, 20A, 15A breakers.
Is there a legal way to tap into the #6 feed wires to add a 240 V outlet in my garage? This would be at an existing J-box using 3/4 EMT.

I'll try to add a diagram to clarify, but I'm having a bad computer day.

 

[u2slow]

The 'right' way is to run a branch circuit from that panel to feed the 240V load.

The problems with tapping the feeder is the lugs are likely not rated for two wires, and affordable receptacles stop at 50A.

What sort of load/equipment are you trying to run?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I have an existing #6 THHN run to a detached shed on a 60A breaker. Shed subpanel has 20A, 20A, 15A breakers.
Is there a legal way to tap into the #6 feed wires to add a 240 V outlet in my garage? This would be at an existing J-box using 3/4 EMT.

I'll try to add a diagram to clarify, but I'm having a bad computer day.

Why not run a branch circuit off a new breaker in the panel?

I dont understand the logic with tapping the feeder...

What is this outlet for?

 

[Terry D]

What is the receptacle for. Dont tap into the feeder. Run a branch circuit from the panel

Sent from my SM-G960U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[pattenp]

I think the question is being misread. The garage is not the shed. He wants to tap off the feeder thats goes out to the shed from within the garage.

 

[Terry D]

I think the question is being misread. The garage is not the shed. He wants to tap off the feeder thats goes out to the shed from within the garage.

I think it still would be better to run a branch circuit from his main panel, most likely from the basement. He could tap the feeders, depending on what size 240 v circuit he needs, one of the tap rules should allow him to still have that 2-pole 60 amp protecting it.

 

[sberry]

It would need additional overcurrent protection for any outlet.

 

[pattenp]

I think it still would be better to run a branch circuit from his main panel, most likely from the basement. He could tap the feeders, depending on what size 240 v circuit he needs, one of the tap rules should allow him to still have that 2-pole 60 amp protecting it.

So, how do you know there's a basement?

 

[mike93lx]

You can't have two feeds into a structure. If the garage already has power, you can't add an outlet fed from the shed

 

[Terry D]

So, how do you know there's a basement?

Just a guess, my experience they are in the basement or garage. And if it was in the garage, I would think he would just run the circuit from that. But that is also assuming the garage is attached. We need more info

 

[gungatim]

I think the question is being misread. The garage is not the shed. He wants to tap off the feeder thats goes out to the shed from within the garage.

if that is the case, it is how I am setup.

240v 60 amp runs from main panel in basement to a small panel in garage for 240v welder.

when I built the shop, I tapped off that intermediate panel in the garage with a 240 breaker to feed the shop 300' away.

OP could add that intermediate panel in his garage with a breaker to his shed and a breaker for his 240v outlet.

no idea if it meets code but that's how mine is done. bonus is an extra shutoff for the shop in the garage, but the breaker is redundant since the shop panel has a main breaker as well.

edit: I should add, the 240v welder receptacle is no longer in service, it was put in when I built and didn't have a shop so I used my 3rd garage stall. I just keep that breaker off since its unused.

 

[engineer2]

Bad computer day and then the power went out from storms, LOL.
Yes the main panel is in the basement. If it's the Chicago area, 90% chance you have a basement with the main panel.

This is a future project for a garage welder outlet someday.
Doing what's in the diagram would be so easy, but it doesn't seem right. Could I add another subpanel in the garage?
Running a new feed from the main panel is the normal way I would do this, but I'm running out of room for another 3/4 EMT home run.

 

[mike93lx]

Bad computer day and then the power went out from storms, LOL.
Yes the main panel is in the basement. If it's the Chicago area, 90% chance you have a basement with the main panel.

This is a future project for a garage welder outlet someday.
Doing what's in the diagram would be so easy, but it doesn't seem right. Could I add another subpanel in the garage?
Running a new feed from the main panel is the normal way I would do this, but I'm running out of room for another 3/4 EMT home run.

Yes, you can add another subpanel since the garage is attached. Then could you move the shed sub over to that?

 

[u2slow]

You can't do the tap at the breaker, because the breaker terminals won't take two #6 wires.

The 6-50R cannot legally be on a breaker larger than a 50A. A large enough welder may be acceptable to hardwire into a 60A circuit (check owner's manual).

It sounds like your panel is rather full. Probably makes more sense to accomplish the tap in a separate enclosure (JB, disconnect, or small sub-panel w/split bolts; or a pad-mounted splitter). With the small sub-panel or disco, you have a spot to add the required OCP ahead of the 6-50R, while keeping the full 60A available to the shed.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I would go the subpanel in the garage route then refeed the shed from the new subpanel.

 

[Bert_]

Feeder taps are legal. You would need an additional breaker to protect the outlet since the feeder breaker is a 60A.