Which gauge/type of wire do I run to my garage for multiple 120 V outlets and also a 220 V outlet?
Question:I have a detached garage that I want to run electricity to. There will be multiple 120 outlets and (1) 220 outlet for a table saw. Which gauge/type is best to handle this load. Also what type of service panel is needed?
Answers:
All will depend upon the planned load in Amps but usually for power equipment like that you will probably need 10/3 w/ground (2 hot, 1 common, 1 ground.) for the 220V applications (typically with a double 30 or 40 Amp breaker, check equipment specs for Amperage). Best to run one wire (12/2 w/ground) separately from 220 for the 120V outlets with a 20 Amp breaker. You can buy wire designed for underground use and run to garage that way or you can use PVC conduit and use solid or stranded wire and bury or run PVC overhead. Your service panel simply must be rated to handle the number of Amps you may be running.
use a 15 amp double pole single throw fused disconnect, run three-wire #12 type rwh insulation directly buried underground to the garage. your total current load in the garage must not exceed 12 amp.
Depends on the circuit ampacity desired.
General receptacles, 12/2g on 20 amp breaker
Most likely 12/2g would work for the saw. 2 pole 20 amp breaker. Use the white for one of the hots. Mark the white with black or red tape to identify it as a hot.
60 amp panel unless you decide to take up welding or have a compressor running at the same time as the saw. I'd go to a 100 amp regardless.
You can do it a couple of ways
1 underground pipe with branch ckts
2 over head tri-plex and install a small panel in your garage and run the branch ckts from it
20 amp ckt for all wall outlets garage and outside outlets require GFCI
A table saw if its 240 volts require a min of a double pole 20 amp
if its a 120 volt saw a 20 amp is required the saw on a ckt by itself
I would install a 60 amp sub panel in your garage min
I agree with markash. There are many options but the best would be to put a sub panel in the area so you have room for future expansion. Go with bigger conductors, you can always fuse them with a smaller breaker but if you run small ones then you may regret it when you start welding bridges in your garage with an 80 amp welder!
If you need to ask you need to hire an electrician. You have the very real potential to burn your house to the ground or possibly kill yourself. I have seen far to many homeowners run power for stuff like this and improperly ground panels, outlets, improper bushings and connectors. All these items have the potential to start fires and/or kill people. The real problem is that sometimes stuff will work when it really should not. And for gods sake don't hire a handyman to do it.
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