Installing 240V Service To Your Shop - Price Breakdowns...

MinnesotaDaveChalmers · Sep 25, 2014

MossRoad said:
Why would you need the 50amp in the shop? Just asking.

50 amp is the minimum circuit I'd put in for a welder.
(Many people get bigger equipment later)

I'm running 50, 60, and 70 amp circuits right now.

I'd run a 100 amp too if I had a bigger line coming in.

newbury · Sep 25, 2014

MinnesotaDaveChalmers said:
50 amp is the minimum circuit I'd put in for a welder.
(Many people get bigger equipment later)

I'm running 50, 60, and 70 amp circuits right now.

I'd run a 100 amp too if I had a bigger line coming in.

Your just addicted to power!

I have to admit 400 amps is nice

MossRoad · Sep 25, 2014

MinnesotaDaveChalmers said:
50 amp is the minimum circuit I'd put in for a welder.
(Many people get bigger equipment later)

I'm running 50, 60, and 70 amp circuits right now.

I'd run a 100 amp too if I had a bigger line coming in.

Ah, I see. You made it sound like I need it. I don't.

MinnesotaDaveChalmers · Sep 25, 2014

newbury said:
Your just addicted to power!

I have to admit 400 amps is nice

400 amps would be excellent - then I wouldn't dim the lights in the house

MossRoad said:
Ah, I see. You made it sound like I need it. I don't.

Too bad - I'm sure I can think of something for you to buy that needs power :laughing:

ericher69 · Sep 25, 2014

newbury said:
Your just addicted to power! I have to admit 400 amps is nice

it's Overkill for probably 90% of TBN members!

200amp residential with 60amps in a shop would suffice for most!

How often do you run a stick welder or a large mig full out? 60amps

And simultaneously run a large compressor 20-30 amps

And simultaneously run a large plasma 30-50amps?

Not saying some members don't but for the most part 100amp service in a shop will more than cover what you need and then some.

Just saying!

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newbury · Sep 25, 2014

MossRoad said:
Ah, I see. You made it sound like I need it. I don't.

There is probably a balancing point between 60 amps and 400 amps. What is the incremental cost for more amps? Will anyone (not necessarily you) want to run tools like an inexpensive welder and a/c? My $260 arc welder calls for 60 amps of 220v at full power. A/C could suck another 15 amps.

A little overkill at first can prevent a need for upgrade later.

newbury · Sep 25, 2014

ericher69 said:
it's Overkill for probably 90% of TBN members!

200amp residential with 60amps in a shop would suffice for most!

How often do you run a stick welder or a large mig full out? 60amps

<snip>

Three weeks ago I was down in Mississippi running my $260 stick welder, PowerArc 300, probably at about 50 amps on occasion and an a/c probably about 15 amps, and probably about 5 amps of lights and fans. If the extra cost to go from 60 to 100 amps was less than half the cost of initial installation of 60 amps I think it would be well worth it.

If the OP is putting in 50 amp service w/ a 125 amp box for $550 with his own labor I think it would be well worth it to go to 100 or 125 amps. I don't know the cost of #6 wire but if you could go up to #2 for the 50 foot plus run for less than $200 additional I think it would be well worth it. (I don't know if #4 is heavy enough.)

woodlandfarms · Sep 25, 2014

Me, I would like 3phase. There is so much quality used machining gear that due to being 3 phase sits on craigslist forever. I know you can get the transformers but it would be nice just to have it.

ericher69 · Sep 25, 2014

newbury said:
Three weeks ago I was down in Mississippi running my $260 stick welder, PowerArc 300, probably at about 50 amps on occasion and an a/c probably about 15 amps, and probably about 5 amps of lights and fans. If the extra cost to go from 60 to 100 amps was less than half the cost of initial installation of 60 amps I think it would be well worth it. If the OP is putting in 50 amp service w/ a 125 amp box for $550 with his own labor I think it would be well worth it to go to 100 or 125 amps. I don't know the cost of #6 wire but if you could go up to #2 for the 50 foot plus run for less than $200 additional I think it would be well worth it. (I don't know if #4 is heavy enough.)

A good reference
American Wire Gauge table and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits with skin depth frequencies and wire breaking strength

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MinnesotaDaveChalmers · Sep 25, 2014

ericher69 said:
it's Overkill for probably 90% of TBN members!

200amp residential with 60amps in a shop would suffice for most!

How often do you run a stick welder or a large mig full out? 60amps

And simultaneously run a large compressor 20-30 amps

And simultaneously run a large plasma 30-50amps?

Not saying some members don't but for the most part 100amp service in a shop will more than cover what you need and then some.

Just saying!

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

100 amp worked fine for me, until I got the plasma.

Plasma 70 amps
Compressor 30 amps
Lights 20 amps

The math gets a little wonky adding those up to 100

And then there is my Airco, 60 amps input works for tig aluminum up to 230 amps, so I'm good until I go over 1/4" aluminum.
Then I have to use the 70 amp circuit - it would take 100 amps if I could find some thing to weld at 470 amps :laughing:

But regardless, my son can't use the plasma when I'm using the Airco - have to plan ahead a little.