Amps??
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
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Amps??
Hey All,
I'm putting a sub panel in my garage from the house. I'm going to be running
an old Lincoln ARC 220 welder, compressor, drills, vacuum, and assorted little radios and what not. My question: is 100 amps enough? I have been told a couple of things. One person said that 100 is enough, one suggestion was to run two separate 100 amp lines from the house, or I could get a heavier gauge cable. I have an 18" trench all ready.
Thank You
I'm putting a sub panel in my garage from the house. I'm going to be running
an old Lincoln ARC 220 welder, compressor, drills, vacuum, and assorted little radios and what not. My question: is 100 amps enough? I have been told a couple of things. One person said that 100 is enough, one suggestion was to run two separate 100 amp lines from the house, or I could get a heavier gauge cable. I have an 18" trench all ready.
Thank You
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
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From: PHOENIX
I agree with lead head.
I have a 220v 50amp plug for my Lincoln welder and my compressor is plugged into a 20amp 110. Those are the only two things that could possibly be going at the same time and tha adds to 70.
Actually, do you have a 220 compressor?
If you have a huge compressor that needs 220 and it kicks on while you are welding 1/2 inch thick steel and someone is using the shop vac to suck up chips while they are drilling, you might be pushing it.
But that is a worst case scenario.
If you are doing new construction or the walls are not covered in drywall, it is not too much more to add extra outlets and error on the safe side.
I have a 220v 50amp plug for my Lincoln welder and my compressor is plugged into a 20amp 110. Those are the only two things that could possibly be going at the same time and tha adds to 70.
Actually, do you have a 220 compressor?
If you have a huge compressor that needs 220 and it kicks on while you are welding 1/2 inch thick steel and someone is using the shop vac to suck up chips while they are drilling, you might be pushing it.
But that is a worst case scenario.
If you are doing new construction or the walls are not covered in drywall, it is not too much more to add extra outlets and error on the safe side.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
I have a small little transformer out of a microwave oven, (1200 watts), I rewound it with 10 guage wire. The transformer can pulse 100 amps very quickly through the wire. With 10 guage, a 1.5 second short out is enough to make the wire get hot.
According to this chart I found, for power transmission (house to garage,etc..), 2 guage will carry upto 94 amps, 1 guage will carry upto 119 amps, and 0 guage 150 amps. I think honestly you would want to go with 0 guage wire if you could, 19 amps just seems to be cutting it a bit close
. I think 1 would alright though if 0 guage is too expensive.
Another chart I found says 2 guage COPPER is the minimum for 100 amps :-/
According to this chart I found, for power transmission (house to garage,etc..), 2 guage will carry upto 94 amps, 1 guage will carry upto 119 amps, and 0 guage 150 amps. I think honestly you would want to go with 0 guage wire if you could, 19 amps just seems to be cutting it a bit close
. I think 1 would alright though if 0 guage is too expensive.Another chart I found says 2 guage COPPER is the minimum for 100 amps :-/
Last edited by Lead Head; Feb 4, 2008 at 05:57 PM.
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Freshman User
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Thanks for the info. That sounds more like it. I had originally priced 2 gauge until the FIL insisted I use his old cable. I think I'll spring for the right stuff.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,039
Likes: 2,412
From: NY and VA
I ran 100A to my garage. If every thing was plugged in and running (AComp, welder all corded tools, lights etc. I wouldn't be using 100 Amps. You might want to check local code even though there is a Nation wide code (NEC) Some want 4 wires run from house to garage 2 hot 2 neutral- grounds. some let you run 3 with an additional ground rod at garage (not a bad idea anyway) If you will be driving over the trench the wire has to be in conduit and some inspectors want the conduit in a sleeve where it will be driven over. Rocky soil ? use sand around the wire. Reason I mention checking codes and inspection would be for insurance purposes.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 203
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From: Denver, CO
I also ran 100AMP from house to garage and used 3 wire 2/0 with double grounds at the garage 180ft from house. Passed inspection and Iam running all power tools, welders, 12- 8ft lights and much more. Seems to be enough. House has 200AMP service and garage doesn't effect house at all.
For what its worth.
Dennis
For what its worth.
Dennis
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Run the thickest gauge you can afford to the subpanel, as this way down the road should you need more power, you can just swap the breakers for a larger one to suit your needs as you buy machinery, compressors, and so forth.
Ask anyone who's snaked 0 or 1 gauge wire how much fun it is, even if it's heavily greased and pulled with a power cable puller
Might as well do it once, go overkill, and never have to resnake it again. I make this recommendation to commercial customers, residential customers I typically go up one gauge for subpanels for the same reason, knowing that the likelyhood of them upgrading is minimal.
Ask anyone who's snaked 0 or 1 gauge wire how much fun it is, even if it's heavily greased and pulled with a power cable puller
Might as well do it once, go overkill, and never have to resnake it again. I make this recommendation to commercial customers, residential customers I typically go up one gauge for subpanels for the same reason, knowing that the likelyhood of them upgrading is minimal.
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