Building a woodshop, and have Power Questions.

I am building a woodshop in a 2 car detached garage. I think i have 1 115V circuit into it from the house. I would like to have at least one, preferrably 2, more circuits running into the garage. I would hate to trip a breaker with my circular saw and have the lights shut off.

I don't know how all this works.

From what i'm told, each circuit must be run from the line going into the house. a trench must be dug from what i understand to bury the lines. but i really don't know.

now some questions How much does something like this cost? Can i have circuit breakers in the garage? I was told i need 2 115V lines to make 1 230V line. How much does it cost to create such a line? If i want 1 115V circuit for lights, 1 220V line for my table saw, and 1

115V line for other power tools, do i need a total of 4 lines? is it usually legal to have such power lines and requirements running into a detached garage?

background info>

table saw will draw 20 Amps at 120V router draws 12 amps at 120V dust collector

Reply to
dan kim
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One more bit.

at any one time, there will only be 1 power tool running (table saw, router, planer, jointer, etc) + the dust collection and air cleaner + lighting. lighting will probably be flourescent.

-danny

Reply to
dan kim

electrician. This is not something an amateur should try.

Reply to
Greg-EE

Since you will need to dig a trench and run cable or (better yet) conduit, I would suggest installing a subpanel in the garage, fed from a

2-pole breaker installed in the main house panel. Incremental cost over several runs of smaller cable isnst that much more, and you get higher capacity, as well as having the shop breakers right in the shop, rather than back in the house. A 60A or 100A 240V feeder to the shop should provide plenty of capacity for future expansion.

This kind of installation is probably not a DIY kind of job, but you might save a substantial amount of money if you do the trenching and backfilling yourself. Check with your electrical contractor and local inspector for burial depth and other requirements.

Bob Weiss N2IXK

Reply to
Bob Weiss

wasn't going to try it. the thought of handling power lines sort of uh, scares me. wood and big power tools on the other hand, i have no problems with.

-danny

Reply to
bummster

18 inches would be the general NEC requirement. Many localities (especially areas with very cold weather) require greater depth, often 24 inches.

The grey PVC (RNMC) is definitely the way to go over direct burial cables. Greater protection against damage, plus the ability to add/replace wires in the future without needing to dig up your yard again. The pipe and fittings are cheap enough that burying a second pipe for future low voltage stuff (CATV, phone, alarm, etc.) at the same time might be something to consider.

Bob Weiss N2IXK

Reply to
Bob Weiss

I have ended up with 4 raceways and one direct burial cable between my house and garage, but I have a lot of stuff going on.

Reply to
Gfretwell

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