i have my garage running off a 20amp breaker and i want to upgrade to handle more electric load. what are my options
- posted
7 years ago
i have my garage running off a 20amp breaker and i want to upgrade to handle more electric load. what are my options
... in that order.
John T.
Your choice.
Run another wire, but . . . First you have to assess your needs. Do you need 220V? Can your panel handle additional load?
No one can tell you until you have some specifics.
Correct.
It depends on what you have existing, what is available, and how much is in your budget. Where is your main electrical panel in relation to the garage? Do you think it is physically possible to install a new circuit from your main electrical panel to the garage?
Posting some pictures would help us give you some ideas.
John Grabowski
Wouldn't 240 be better? 220 seems old and stale somehow.
"220, 221, whatever it takes".
Some of us here are old and stale and grew up with 110/220. My house is actually 124/248
Same here
A rose by any other name...
231.999997VAC at 59.97Hz is best :-)
My toolshed is near my garage by about 8 feet. I originally just ran a piece of 12/2 w gnd UF cable, overhead from the garage to the shed attached to a 20A breaker in the garage. Only intended for a few lights and an occasional power tool. But that shed got cold in the winter and hot in the summer, so I wanted to install a small window AC, or plug in an electric space heater in winter. I just ran a second run of UF cable. bundled them together with zip ties, and had a separate circuit for either the AC or the Heater. (I wont be using both at the same time for obvious reasons). That's all I needed.
By code I'm supposed to have a separate disconect in the shed, but here on the farm in a rural area they are not real picky, and the Power Company has seen what I did and did not complain about it. So, if all you need is an extra circuit for some power tools, just run another 20A circuit. If you need more, then you may be in for a bigger and costlier job.
If you're going to dig a trench for the UF cable, spend a few dollars more and install conduit. Bigger will cost more, but it gives you more options in the future.
Then, if you decide you need more than your original 12/2 cable, you can either pull it out and replace it with a larger cable, or you can pull another cable to suppliment the first one.
It's a small extra cost now, but it sure beats having to dig up the yard again if your needs change in the future.
Anthony Watson
I believe it was you that gave me advice to pull more wire from the main panel instead of putting in a sub panel. Which I did and thanks again. Left the lighting on the original circuit and added 3 20 Amp circuits.
Did I? Could be, I really can't remember.
My memory isn't what it used to be.
If it was me, you're welcome. If not, thanks to whoever suggested it. :)
Excellent, I'm glad you found a solution that worked for you.
Take care,
Anthony Watson
Great as long as the code doesn't bother you.
Yup, poco only cares about wires up to the meter.
And if you don't have neighbors nearby, the code guys usually don't give a shit either.
Codes? We don't need no stinkin' codes! :)
I'm curious though what the codes say about running multiple cables from the main panel instead of installing a subpanel?
I could understand if the garage was detached, but for an attached garage why would that be any different than running cables to other parts of the house?
Inquiring minds want to know...
Anthony Watson
I was thinking detached. In an attached garage, you are right. The issue is number of services or circuits and disconnecting means on an additional building.
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