Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Jan 29, 2006 05:00am | #1

   Paul,

   Running 14 gauge wire is "penny wise and pound foolish".  Use 12 gauge wire, for only a little more money, and you'll be able to upgrade to a larger collector someday or you will be able to run additional equipment off of the same circuit. 

   Compared to the cost of the labor and the other components needed to install a new circuit, the wire is relatively inexpensive and the hardest component to upgrade if you need a larger capacity circuit in the future, so don't skimp on it.

   John W.

2. 
   Stuart | Jan 29, 2006 07:02am | #2

   I would agree with John that you may as well use 12 gauge wire while you're at it, but to answer the question 14 gauge wire and a 15 amp circuit breaker are sufficient for you're doing.

1. 
   tinkerer2 | Jan 29, 2006 08:28am | #3

   Because of the labor installation, price differential, etc., many electricians don't even use 14 gauge wire.  It is all 12 gauge.  I would say that 14 gauge is a lot easier to wrap around those terminals though.

3. 
   JohnWW | Jan 29, 2006 08:13pm | #4

   Paul,

   This is a follow up to my first response which recommended using 12 gauge wire.  I would also suggest that you use 12-3 cable with three conductors in addition to the ground wire.  The third conductor would supply a neutral so that you would be able to use the circuit for both 110 volts and 220 volts. 

   Having 110 available would make it easier to hook up a wireless remote control and allow more flexibility for future uses of the circuit. 

   John W. 

1. 
   GotAll10 | Jan 30, 2006 04:48am | #5

   John,

   Thanks for your help.  Would the 110v be on a separate circuit breaker?  I have 110v available just next to where this 220v outlet will be on a separate circuit.  What advantage is there to having it run in the samae wire?

   Thanks,

   Paul

1. 
   tangomike | Jan 30, 2006 09:20am | #6

   You should check the code first, but I've run one hot leg of a 220v with the neutral/ground to give me a "free" 110v outlet, all on the same breaker. Incidentally, this is how dryers outlets are wired, the dryer itself runs on 220v but the control panel and light run on 110v.

4. 
   Ricks503 | Jan 30, 2006 07:36pm | #7

   Sort of a similar issue.

   I had a 30 amp 220V outlet put in and they put in what looks like a dryer outlet.

   I am going to replace the receptacle and was wondering if I can use a 20amp outlet?

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
1. 
   Stuart | Jan 30, 2006 09:12pm | #8

    

   "I had a 30 amp 220V outlet put in and they put in what looks like a dryer outlet.

   I am going to replace the receptacle and was wondering if I can use a 20amp outlet?"

   I assume this is a dedicated circuit, and the 20 amp outlet you want to put in is 220V as well.  Yes, you can replace it, and re-use the wiring in the wall, but then you also need to change the circuit breaker back in the panel to 20 amps as well.

1. 
   Ricks503 | Jan 30, 2006 10:54pm | #9

   Yes, it is a dedicated circuit. 

   So I have to replace both the 30amp breaker and the outlet and not just the outlet?1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

1. 
   Stuart | Jan 31, 2006 02:49am | #10

   Yup.  Per NEC article 210-21(b), "A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit shall have an ampere rating of not less than that of the branch circuit."