Shop wiring questions
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Waco, TX
Shop wiring questions My wife and I just bought a few acres in the country to build a house on; however, I need to build me a shop first (a man has to have priorities 
). The shop is still a good 6 months away, but I am planning out all the details right now. At the moment I am designing the circuits for the wiring of the shop and I don't know how many amps to use for the welder. I was thinking 50 amps with 6-3 cable running to it at 220 V, but I didn't know if that is the standard or if 30 amps was.
I know that I could just look at the input requirements of the welder, but I want to use the amperage that is commonly found in welder circuits.
Also, how many total amps are you guys getting away with running to your shops? Mine is only going to be a small 30' X 35' with minimal large amp power tools (welder, compressor, and table saw), so I am thinking 100 amps total. Does that sound right or should I go with more or less? I have calculated my consumption and came in right around 100-125 amps total (using 50 amps for the welder circuit), but that is with every light on and every circuit being used to its max capacity which I doubt will ever happen. Thanks in advance.
Victor
). The shop is still a good 6 months away, but I am planning out all the details right now. At the moment I am designing the circuits for the wiring of the shop and I don't know how many amps to use for the welder. I was thinking 50 amps with 6-3 cable running to it at 220 V, but I didn't know if that is the standard or if 30 amps was. I know that I could just look at the input requirements of the welder, but I want to use the amperage that is commonly found in welder circuits.
Also, how many total amps are you guys getting away with running to your shops? Mine is only going to be a small 30' X 35' with minimal large amp power tools (welder, compressor, and table saw), so I am thinking 100 amps total. Does that sound right or should I go with more or less? I have calculated my consumption and came in right around 100-125 amps total (using 50 amps for the welder circuit), but that is with every light on and every circuit being used to its max capacity which I doubt will ever happen. Thanks in advance.
Victor
I wired a 22x25 shop with a 100A service panel. I have outlets every 4 ft on the 3 walls, ceiling outlets for the door opener, reel light, and extension cord, 6 flourescent light fixtures, a 20A 220 for the compressor, a 30A 220 for a 5.4KW heater, and a 50A 220 for a welder. Works fine for me. BTW, I used over 500 ft of 12/3 romex just doing the 110v stuff.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Waco, TX
Originally Posted by 2xLS1
I used over 500 ft of 12/3 romex just doing the 110v stuff.
I used a 50 amp for my welder outlet. Also I have a 100 amp service to my shop as that's all I could get out of my service meter without calling the electric company to install a new service. I have a welder, tons of lights, a lift, one room is heated by a cadet, two window air conditioners, a beer fridge, two pellet stoves, a 7hp compressor etc. etc. Of course I can't imagine the senario where I would be running everything at once.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
You need to know for sure the amp draw on the welder . Keeping in mind the breaker protects the wire.
To find the approximate amperage of electrical devices use the Ohms Law formula, Amps = Watts divided by Volts. Example... A 1,200 watt device at 120 volts would be 10 amps.
To find the approximate amperage of electrical devices use the Ohms Law formula, Amps = Watts divided by Volts. Example... A 1,200 watt device at 120 volts would be 10 amps.
Don't skimp. You will regret it.
My 24x40 became extremely small and is now 24 x54, and am looking at ways to expand even more.
I went with 150A service and wish I had gone 200A. The cost is negligible ...
I have 50A breakers for my welder and plasma cutter, 30A for my compressor.
My 24x40 became extremely small and is now 24 x54, and am looking at ways to expand even more.
I went with 150A service and wish I had gone 200A. The cost is negligible ...
I have 50A breakers for my welder and plasma cutter, 30A for my compressor.
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Tell you what... after almost a week's power outage,
I say leave some space on the pad for a breezeway
and a generator alcove, in which to mount a nice
15kW diesel with electric start and a 25+ gallon tank.
Then consider how much power you want to be able
to run back to the house for emergency duty, that
size generator will serve any normal shop's needs
(yeah, who wants to be normal? Show of flippers?).
And running the genny regularly will be good for it.
The more country you are, the less the power company
prioritizes your service. Fastest restoration for the
most people and all that.
I say leave some space on the pad for a breezeway
and a generator alcove, in which to mount a nice
15kW diesel with electric start and a 25+ gallon tank.
Then consider how much power you want to be able
to run back to the house for emergency duty, that
size generator will serve any normal shop's needs
(yeah, who wants to be normal? Show of flippers?).
And running the genny regularly will be good for it.
The more country you are, the less the power company
prioritizes your service. Fastest restoration for the
most people and all that.
STF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Beamville, VA
Highly recommend using 100 Amp service to the garage.
Compressor circuit - 20-30A
Welding circuit - 50a
HVAC - 30a
General lighting/receptacles - 20a
You may not use all major loads at once, but with 50 you may be selling yourself short. Yes, #6 is the correct wire for 50a.
#14 - 15a
#12 - 20a
#10 - 30a
#8 - 40a
#6 - 50a
Compressor circuit - 20-30A
Welding circuit - 50a
HVAC - 30a
General lighting/receptacles - 20a
You may not use all major loads at once, but with 50 you may be selling yourself short. Yes, #6 is the correct wire for 50a.
#14 - 15a
#12 - 20a
#10 - 30a
#8 - 40a
#6 - 50a