I’m getting ready to buy a house that has a 28’X28′ attached garage with a 12 foot ceiling. I’m going to partition off a half and turn that into a shop.
Question; how much power should I bring in. I have a 220V TS and plan to add a 220V BS and dust collector. Other than that, its the usual misc 110V tool collection and lighting. I’m a one man hobby shop so I’ll never have more than two 220V machines running at the same time.
Any recommendations? Thanks in advance for your help.
Replies
More info !
How are you heating and cooling ? Elec. hogs.
other considerations
You and your electrician should probably look at the existing electrical panel to see what size of incoming service you have, and how that is used by the existing household circuits. If the house is typical, you may need to upgrade the incoming service (from 100 amp to 200 amp, for example) and add a larger breaker box. In addition to the two or three 220v circuits, you'll probably want to add several 20 amp circuits for other smaller shop tools, and at least one for shop lighting. And, as Bruce mentioned, give consideration to heating/cooling for the shop.
200 Amps coming in and there are plenty of slots available. I'm trying to understand if a 60 Amp sub-panel will work or if I need 100 Amp.
I do plan to have lighting on a seperate circuit and seperate 110V circuits for hand tools.
I'll be a one man shop so, amperage will go a long way.
I will not heat with electricity and A/C is not justified in Maine.
Maine A/C
I understand about A/C in Maine. I'm not an electrician, so I'm not sure about the codes relating to 220v circuits. Even though you won't be running more than two of the 220v machines at one time (dust collection plus either TS or BS), there may be restrictions about how many outlets can be on the same circuit, since, in theory, all could be running at the same time. Even so, a 60-amp sub-panel in the shop strikes me as potentially thin.
Home shop service
I have 200Amp house service and ran 100Amp underground out to my shop. Actually it's less expensive to gett'er done from the get-go, than upgrade later. One never knows how their interests might chang, be ready ;-)
It's even cheaper if you run the underground line from your neighbor's house. ;-)
shop power-you need 100 amps min
I have 100 amps in my 24 x 24 shop. Dust collector, planer, unisaw, shaper, air compressor are all 220v. Heat pump draws 30 amps in cooling mode and as much as 40 amps in heat mode (10kw strip heaters). You will want at least two, preferably three 220v 20 amp outlets on separate circuits. Think aircompressor, planer, dust collector all running. Two or more 120v circuits for hand tools, a couple more for power tools, and an independent circuit for lighting. think about a space heater if you need one and allow for it. I have a 50amp outlet for my arc welder, but have since moved it to another building--afraid of sparks and sawdust in the same room....
I ran a separate service to my shop since my house was 200 amps and was fully loaded.
Thanks all, that was pretty much my thinking. 60 Amp might do but for future posibilities I should probably spend a little more and go with a 100 Amp service..
100A is Plenty
I ran a 60A sub-panel to my garage (29X21) and the loads are as follows- 20A 220v dedicated TS, 15A 110V lighting (6) 2X4 T12 troffers 128 watts ea), 20A 110 dedicated compressor, (4) 20A 110V circuits for shop recepticles. With the 110V circuits, I buy tandem breakers to minimize slot usage. Still have to run 220V lines for DC and Jointer. Remember, dont short yourself for the future. If you want to save a few bucks, run the 100A wire and feed it with a 60A breaker until you need more. Of course, check your local codes.
electric in shop
I really agree with sawdust. Even with present price of copper, I'd go with the 100 amps. I have 200 amps in my shop - somewhat larger than yours but it is still one person. I haven't installed a dust collector or air compressor yet. Waiting to see if I get more time to spend out there.
Tink
More power is always better.
Always run more power than you think you will need because in the end you wont regret it. A 60 amp will work but think out any future tools you might add to the shop. If you ever plan on adding more it makes sense to go to a 100 amp pannel.
For your shop you will need quite a few home runs:
Table saw 220
Bandsaw 220
Dust collector 220
compressor
overhead air filter (if you have one)
outlets (the rule is usually 12 per hr but I would do no more than 5 in a shop)
Dedicated light hr
The pannel fills up pretty quick. Spring for the extra and get the 100.
More power is always better.
Always run more power than you think you will need because in the end you wont regret it. A 60 amp will work but think out any future tools you might add to the shop. If you ever plan on adding more it makes sense to go to a 100 amp pannel.
For your shop you will need quite a few home runs:
Table saw 220
Bandsaw 220
Dust collector 220
compressor
overhead air filter (if you have one)
outlets (the rule is usually 12 per hr but I would do no more than 5 in a shop)
Dedicated light hr
The pannel fills up pretty quick. Spring for the extra and get the 100.
A little story - In 1941 when we got electricity piped into our house my father was quite adament in that we didn't neede more than one outlet in each room. You can always use an extention cord. Lights didn't need wall switches. Walking over to the center of the room was much easier than finding the matches and lighting the kerosene lamp. Of course, you know the outcome. It wasn't a year before we were putting in more outlets, switches on the wall etc. What I'm saying - It almost always grows more than you at first think. You may upgrade your thickness planer or or jointer or add a dust collector and air compressor. You may need a little extra .heat. I'd put in the 100 amp panel.
Oops, Forgot I'd already replied to this. Scratch it.
think of later do it once
I cant agree stronger with the people telling you to go at least 100 amp and even more . The whole garage will be on its power not just your shop side so who knows what things you may want in the future. Its amazing over the years what great deals you run into on 220 v shop tools because most people cant use them.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled