Two post lift power/outlet question.

[75slant6]

Ok, so I’m researching lift install and I came across this post by TurnipTruck and I was thinking about doing the same thing. My question is, I’ve got some 8/3 NM-B wire on hand. Could this same setup be run with 8/3 instead of 6/3? It’d be about a 50’ run from main panel to the sub panel on the lift.

 

[mike93lx]

Ok, so I’m researching lift install and I came across this post by TurnipTruck and I was thinking about doing the same thing. My question is, I’ve got some 8/3 NM-B wire on hand. Could this same setup be run with 8/3 instead of 6/3? It’d be about a 50’ run from main panel to the sub panel on the lift.

Not with a 50a breaker feeding it. 8/3 is limited to 40a, so as long as your welder won't trip a 40, you'll be ok

If you were doing a dedicated welder circuit, the 8/3 would be fine with a 50a breaker (it's significant overkill for the majority of welders, actually), but once you make it not a welder-only circuit, the welder exemption is gone

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Agree with above…

The #6 XHHW was overkill. He couldve ran #8 for the individual conductors

If you want 50a capacity either run 6/3 NM-b in the attic with #8 in the conduit on the lift or conduit w/ #8 THHN/XHHW the entire way.

 

[75slant6]

So essentially, my options would be
1. Run the 8/3 for the welder plug alone on a 50 amp breaker, then run a separate 12/2 for the 120 outlets and a 10/2 for the lift.
2. Do the same setup as TurnipTruck but power the subpanel off a 40 amp breaker instead of a 50.
3. Buy 6/3 wire

 

[mike93lx]

If this was my shop, I'd install the 8/3 with a 40a, and if the 40a ever tripped because of welding (and only because of welding), I would swap it for a 50a and label the receptacle "for welder use only". Keep the 40 on hand if the property is ever sold. This is not code compliant, but is a move I'd be fine with

Most inverter welders will work fine on the 40
In the little sub, just pass the welder circuit through and just breaker the lift and 120v receptacles

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So essentially, my options would be
1. Run the 8/3 for the welder plug alone on a 50 amp breaker, then run a separate 12/2 for the 120 outlets and a 10/2 for the lift.
2. Do the same setup as TurnipTruck but power the subpanel off a 40 amp breaker instead of a 50.
3. Buy 6/3 wire

while the 8/3 is permissible on a 50a breaker for a welder circuit, it wouldnt be code compliant for other circuit uses

you forgot about a 4th option- running #8 THWN in conduit from panel to lift breaker panel

6/3 NM-b is a pain to work with

 

[mike93lx]

6/3 NM-b is a pain to work with

And 8/3 is too expensive to not use unless there is another project it will be used for.

If I had to buy wire for this, I completely agree that it would be thhn or xhhw. That's said, it would probably be #6 al

 

[wyliesdiesels]

running conduit allows for more options....

 

[75slant6]

If this was my shop, I'd install the 8/3 with a 40a, and if the 40a ever tripped because of welding (and only because of welding), I would swap it for a 50a and label the receptacle "for welder use only". Keep the 40 on hand if the property is ever sold. This is not code compliant, but is a move I'd be fine with

Most inverter welders will work fine on the 4
In the little sub, just pass the welder circuit through and just breaker the lift and 120v receptacles

I think this is the route that I’ll end up taking. I do have a some 6/3 wire on hand as well, but that’s designated for wiring another subpanel to power my welding/fab room. I don’t currently have a 220 welder, so I’ll just keep the 40amp breaker in mind when it comes time to buying a bigger welder.