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wiring question?

dondb

Active member
Joined
Jun 20, 2013
Messages
33
Location
New Hampshire
Supplying power for my new garage out of my 100 amp sub panel feed from my main house. I ran 12/2 romex to my 220 20 amp compressor...used a two pole breaker white and black hot wires. Now want to run my line for my Benpak lift..220 30 amp, i will use 10/3 out of a 30 amp two pole breaker to a dryer receptacle. Question is why can i run 2 wire for 20 amp but need 3 wire for 30 amp circuit? Should i have used 3 wire for my 20 amp compressor or is it just the additional amperage that causes the need for 3 wire? And if anyone has a better receptacle to use for my lift then a dryer receptacle....i'm all ears.
 
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pattenp

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Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
10,175
Location
Virginia - USA
30A does not need 3 wires. Where are you getting the requirement for 3 conductors vs. 2?
Don't use a dryer outlet.
This is a 6-30P and 6-30R for 30 amps.......
file_32.jpeg

5HZL9_AS01
 
Last edited:

Charles (in GA)

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Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
12,489
Location
50 mi south of Atlanta
For true 240v current, and nothing else, all you need is two hots, and a ground. If you have something like the modern stoves and the like that have digital clocks and electronics in them, or dryers with 120v motors and timers and 240v heat elements, you need the two hots, plus a white neutral, and also the ground, four wires total.

Your lift should not need anything but the two hots and a ground. Using Romex type jacketed wire, it is known as 10/2 with ground. If it is flexiable electric cord like used for extensions, appliances and such, then the same combination of two hots and a ground is known as 10/3. The ground is not specified. For cord, its the number of INSULATED wires. The Romex type is the same, the 10/2 or 10/3 specifies the size and number of INSULATED wires, the bare ground is specified as the "with ground" or "w/grd"

To reiterate, it all depends on whether you need a neutral so 120v can be provided at the "appliance" or tool, in addition to the 240v. The manufacturer should tell you what you need to supply.

Charles
 
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dondb

Active member
Joined
Jun 20, 2013
Messages
33
Location
New Hampshire
30A does not need 3 wires. Where are you getting the requirement for 3 conductors vs. 2?
Don't use a dryer outlet.
This is a 6-30P and 6-30R for 30 amps.......
file_32.jpeg

5HZL9_AS01

For true 240v current, and nothing else, all you need is two hots, and a ground. If you have something like the modern stoves and the like that have digital clocks and electronics in them, or dryers with 120v motors and timers and 240v heat elements, you need the two hots, plus a white neutral, and also the ground, four wires total.

Your lift should not need anything but the two hots and a ground. Using Romex type jacketed wire, it is known as 10/2 with ground. If it is flexiable electric cord like used for extensions, appliances and such, then the same combination of two hots and a ground is known as 10/3. The ground is not specified. For cord, its the number of INSULATED wires. The Romex type is the same, the 10/2 or 10/3 specifies the size and number of INSULATED wires, the bare ground is specified as the "with ground" or "w/grd"

To reiterate, it all depends on whether you need a neutral so 120v can be provided at the "appliance" or tool, in addition to the 240v. The manufacturer should tell you what you need to supply.

Charles

Thank you for the info.....i researched on here and was going with the 2 wire....but today i golfed in a tournament with a electrician and he said to use a 4 wire....2 hot, 1 neutral and ground? anyway, my 4 post HD-9 will be in this week and i wanted to have the receptacle (in the ceiling) and cord ready for installation
 
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wyliesdiesels

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
19,998
Location
Modesto, CA
Thank you for the info.....i researched on here and was going with the 2 wire....but today i golfed in a tournament with a electrician and he said to use a 4 wire....2 hot, 1 neutral and ground? anyway, my 4 post HD-9 will be in this week and i wanted to have the receptacle (in the ceiling) and cord ready for installation

The manufacturer should say what kind of circuit is needed to supply the lift. I HIGHLY DOUBT the lift needs a 120v/240v branch circuit.
 
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