Electrician help

mlj427

I am at the point that I need to run power to my garage. Before the black top is done. Looking for a straight answer as I keep getting different answers. I have a 30 amp 120 volt socket at my house, I want power in the garage I have been told I need 10-3 wire incase I ever want to run another hot leg out to it for 220 volt. Is this correct? Is there a need for 10-3 instead of 10-2? Some say 6-2, or some others say 8-2. Just lights, outlets, maybe a small mig welder in a few years. I thought for 220 I just needed a paired breaker or what ever the correct term is. I think we have the inside figured out just need to get power out to it. Is there a website to get info on this type of thing?

Thanks
Mike

BGW

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teecro

Can you do it with 10-2 yes...

Hot, Neutral & Bare Ground = 110VAC

Hot, Hot & Bare Neutral = 220VAC
But it's really not the best idea to run your neutral back through a bare wire....

Better and safer with ??-3 no matter what size your able to afford...

Hot, Hot, Neutral & Bare Ground = 220VAC

It's not really a matter of what you can or can't get away with this might very well be required by your local code....

Myself I'd run at least a 100 amp 3 wire now even if I had no current use for as sooner or later you will....

Revolution

I was a Journeyman electrician for manny years but take my advise for what its worth to you. When I do things like this for myself I go overboard. I would run a piece of two inch conduit with what ever wire combination you want right now. Then if you need more power you have room in the pipe to pull in whatever you want or need.

Either way you go, I would recommend conduit over direct burial.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

tag50

You have a ton of issues involved here. Loads, length of run, codes, insurance and possible snags closing sale of property. I'd get the plastic conduit in place to take the pressure off the rest of the decisions.


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scottyb

Don't cheap out on the wire or the panel. Every garage should have a hundred amp subpanel minimum. You're gonna want that welder, a cut off saw, grinders, air compressor, lights, heater, and who knows what more later.

30 amps won't cut it for long in my experience.
And we never did learn the size of the building, the distance from the main panel, and the size of the main panel. That would help if you really want Tag, Revolution, and other knowledgeable folks here advise you properly.

teecro

Yep all very good common sense comments given here... BTW 3 AWG will net you 100 amps....

tag50

Guys- He as a thread in this section ("Re: What type of Garage") that has pictures. Detached with 2 bays+ carport.


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Gregorio

But for how far? Distance matters! Also, is that copper or aluminum? This too matters!

Revolution

just say no to aluminum as a conductor!

Gregorio

Very common out here to use it on subpanel feeds.