Quantcast
Electrical advice needed. - Beyond.ca - Car Forums
Page 1 of 3 1 2 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 45

Thread: Electrical advice needed.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Parked in Baygirl's garage.
    My Ride
    '21 F150 PowerBoost
    Posts
    4,592
    Rep Power
    29

    Default Electrical advice needed.

    So, I am looking to do some light welding in my garage, but, the way it is now with a couple heaters going, I keep tripping the 15A breaker before I even start welding.

    So, this is a 2 part question.

    1, can I just replace a 15a breaker with a 20a breaker, or is there a whole lot more prep work I gotta do...

    2, My garage has it's own sub panel, can I add a circuit on to that with a 20a breaker for the sole purpose of plugging in my 110v welder there?

    Any electrical gurus that want to offer some advice or even come take a look and discuss over a beer or two?
    Boosted life tip #329
    Girlfriends cost money
    Turbos cost money
    Both make whining noises
    Make the smart choice.

    Originally posted by Mibz
    Always a fucking awful experience seeing spikers. Extra awful when he laps me.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    FJR1300/2018 Giant Trance 3
    Posts
    1,649
    Rep Power
    19

    Default

    .
    Last edited by codetrap; 01-01-2017 at 10:37 AM.

    "We need a vaccination for stupidity, with booster shots against an unwillingness to learn."

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    RSTi
    Posts
    341
    Rep Power
    18

    Default

    The breaker isn't there to protect the device, it's there to protect the wiring. By replacing the breaker you would exceed the maximum current draw in the existing wiring (14/2 I'm assuming) and that's not good.

    You still in Coventry? I could come and take a look and let you know what your options are.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    02 RSX
    Posts
    272
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    if you have 14/2 (white) wire on 15amp, you cant not have 20amp breaker. You need 12/2 (yellow) wire for 20amp

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    rs4, ram, 675f3
    Posts
    1,521
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    The only answer is to add another circuit.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    CLK 55 / 2g Eclipse / EP3
    Posts
    4,422
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Depending on the setup of your garage, it might be cheaper to run a portable heater off of some serious gauge cable from a plug off of another circuit.

    If you only weld occasionally in the winter, this would be more fiscally prudent than adding a whole other circuit.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Parked in Baygirl's garage.
    My Ride
    '21 F150 PowerBoost
    Posts
    4,592
    Rep Power
    29

    Default

    Originally posted by Perfect Dark
    The breaker isn't there to protect the device, it's there to protect the wiring. By replacing the breaker you would exceed the maximum current draw in the existing wiring (14/2 I'm assuming) and that's not good.

    You still in Coventry? I could come and take a look and let you know what your options are.
    Yeah, I am still in Coventry, if you could swing by that would be great!

    It is all white wiring in the garage right now, however, the breakers in the house for the garage are 2x30a breakers, while the garage has 2x15a breakers. So I am guessing I could run a third 20a breaker with yellow wire to a dedicated plug for the welder?
    Boosted life tip #329
    Girlfriends cost money
    Turbos cost money
    Both make whining noises
    Make the smart choice.

    Originally posted by Mibz
    Always a fucking awful experience seeing spikers. Extra awful when he laps me.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    NW
    My Ride
    06 F-150
    Posts
    247
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    How many amps is the breaker for the sub panel? It could be located on the sub-panel, but would definitely have one on the main panel. Never put a higher amp breaker in. Just run a new circuit if it is right there. Easy stuff. Or PM me and I could throw it in for a good price.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    YYC
    Posts
    4,304
    Rep Power
    85

    Default

    Originally posted by Russo
    if you have 14/2 (white) wire on 15amp, you cant not have 20amp breaker. You need 12/2 (yellow) wire for 20amp
    ^^^This. And don't think you're better than that code.

    Originally posted by danno
    The only answer is to add another circuit.
    Or physically turn off your furnace/heater before running the welder.
    Can't turn it off? Put in a shut off switch.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    NW
    My Ride
    06 F-150
    Posts
    247
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by spikerS


    Yeah, I am still in Coventry, if you could swing by that would be great!

    It is all white wiring in the garage right now, however, the breakers in the house for the garage are 2x30a breakers, while the garage has 2x15a breakers. So I am guessing I could run a third 20a breaker with yellow wire to a dedicated plug for the welder?
    Correct. You would have no issues throwing in a new circuit.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    rs4, ram, 675f3
    Posts
    1,521
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Adding a 20amp cct providing you do the work is maybe 50-60$. Throw me a extra 100 ill come do it.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    NW
    My Ride
    06 F-150
    Posts
    247
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by danno
    Adding a 20amp cct providing you do the work is maybe 50-60$. Throw me a extra 100 ill come do it.
    Damn recession got jmen working for apprentice rates! We don't stand a chance! Haha.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    948
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    Do you already have the welder ?

    If not look at getting a 240 VAC unit instead.

    if you are adding a circuit, might as well put in a good one.

    Edit:

    I re-read the OP...

    Guess you already have the welder.

    Assuming its a 120 VAC unit only...

    Throw in a 20 AMP cct and have at er...
    Last edited by Nufy; 02-05-2016 at 02:56 PM.
    2011 Ram 1500 QC Sport
    2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Parked in Baygirl's garage.
    My Ride
    '21 F150 PowerBoost
    Posts
    4,592
    Rep Power
    29

    Default

    Originally posted by Nufy
    Do you already have the welder ?

    If not look at getting a 240 VAC unit instead.

    if you are adding a circuit, might as well put in a good one.

    Edit:

    I re-read the OP...

    Guess you already have the welder.

    Assuming its a 120 VAC unit only...

    Throw in a 20 AMP cct and have at er...
    No, I am borrowing a friends for now, and I will probably buy one in the future, but running 220 out to the garage i don't think is something i am prepared to do, unless it would cost less than $20 more than adding this 20a breaker.
    Boosted life tip #329
    Girlfriends cost money
    Turbos cost money
    Both make whining noises
    Make the smart choice.

    Originally posted by Mibz
    Always a fucking awful experience seeing spikers. Extra awful when he laps me.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Calgary, AB
    Posts
    1,636
    Rep Power
    85

    Default

    Originally posted by danno
    Adding a 20amp cct providing you do the work is maybe 50-60$. Throw me a extra 100 ill come do it.
    Shit for those rates can you come over to my house and put in some pot lights in the upstairs bathrooms?

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    NW
    My Ride
    06 F-150
    Posts
    247
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by spikerS


    No, I am borrowing a friends for now, and I will probably buy one in the future, but running 220 out to the garage i don't think is something i am prepared to do, unless it would cost less than $20 more than adding this 20a breaker.
    Didn't you say there is a two pole breaker on your main panel for that garage panel? You already have 240 out there.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    NW
    My Ride
    06 F-150
    Posts
    247
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by suntan
    Shit for those rates can you come over to my house and put in some pot lights in the upstairs bathrooms?
    Haha pot lights and likely attic work costs more than easy garage wiring. Bet ya he won't do those so cheap. I wouldn't lol.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Parked in Baygirl's garage.
    My Ride
    '21 F150 PowerBoost
    Posts
    4,592
    Rep Power
    29

    Default

    Originally posted by chathamf


    Didn't you say there is a two pole breaker on your main panel for that garage panel? You already have 240 out there.
    This is why I am not an electrician. I really don't know what the fuck I am talking about when it comes to electrical.
    Boosted life tip #329
    Girlfriends cost money
    Turbos cost money
    Both make whining noises
    Make the smart choice.

    Originally posted by Mibz
    Always a fucking awful experience seeing spikers. Extra awful when he laps me.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Parked in Baygirl's garage.
    My Ride
    '21 F150 PowerBoost
    Posts
    4,592
    Rep Power
    29

    Default

    This is what the panel in my house looks like, and the breakers for the garage....

    Boosted life tip #329
    Girlfriends cost money
    Turbos cost money
    Both make whining noises
    Make the smart choice.

    Originally posted by Mibz
    Always a fucking awful experience seeing spikers. Extra awful when he laps me.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    NW
    My Ride
    06 F-150
    Posts
    247
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by spikerS


    This is why I am not an electrician. I really don't know what the fuck I am talking about when it comes to electrical.
    Haha. Post a pic of panel (the one in the house) and let us know what breakers are for the garage.

Page 1 of 3 1 2 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Electrical help/advice needed

    By Speed_69 in forum Home and Garden
    Replies: 13
    Latest Threads: 10-05-2016, 05:15 PM
  2. Replies: 5
    Latest Threads: 05-22-2013, 08:08 PM
  3. Electrical Apprentices Needed Now!

    By dinglenuts in forum Careers
    Replies: 49
    Latest Threads: 08-05-2010, 04:34 PM
  4. LF: Electrical Design/Electrical Estimating work

    By Old Snake in forum Careers
    Replies: 3
    Latest Threads: 08-13-2009, 06:29 PM
  5. Home electrical help needed please.

    By variance in forum General
    Replies: 9
    Latest Threads: 01-03-2008, 02:51 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •