220V-50A Install ???

[movindirt]

I am installing a 220V-50A outlet in my garage to run my welder (Linclon 255 Mig) and I have a few questions. I am not new to electricity but I don't do the house thing very much so I am not up on the codes.

In the first pic I put a red square approx. where I want the outlet to be. I am going to be using 6/3 to hook it up. My problem (or not) is with the ground strap(??) that is just to the right of the mains input (see second pic). Can I just sneak the 6/3 passed the strap and thru the stud? Or should I go from the top (where I am thinking there is no strap) and just go over and down?

I am also going to be adding two 110V-20A circuits so that makes getting by that strap that much harder.

Is there a different min. height requirement for a 220 outlet vs. 110?

Thanks in adavce for all help!

[dmoss]

Tony:

My wiring code knowledge is a little rusty as well. Is that a ground strap (steel not copper), or a seismic device? Now that I think about it, I have seen the breaker boxes sticking up out of the slab before they put the walls up. It probably does not go any higher than the box. You can probably route it any way you want. Seems to me that they require a GFI outlet for 110 if it is in the garage and less than 6 feet high to be to code. I kick myself every time I use them for not doubling up the outlets in my garage. Have to unplug the welder to plug in the compressor, etc. The other annoyance is that the suitcase plasma arc that I borrow needs about a 30 amp 110 service. I put in twice as many 110 outlets as my previous place, and still don't have nearly enough.

Don

[Chreees in WV]

Things must be real different on that coast.
I have never seen anything like that called ground strap.
sure does look like a seismic device to me, a lot of the resturaunts I build have pieces of unistrut coming out of the foundation like that to attach to a stud, just to give more stiffness to any low walls, and it does provide a great hold down.
OK, just my opinion here, If it were me, I would either drill that steel and go through it and the stud, or go above, I am sure it would not go all the way up...
I am pretty sure there is a minimum height as well, but pretty sure it is around a foot.
we always laid out at 16" top of box I think.

Don, even if you doubled them up, you would probably find a spot or two for another....
Isn't that always the way?
Good luck
Chris

[movindirt]

I never thought about that strap being just to hold up the box.. The strap is steel.

Don, how did you know I would be plugging my compressor in the same outlet as my welder? :) It would be nice to have two outlets but I am poor and this setup only has to last two years. I don't know when I could use both the welder and the compressor at the same time (working alone) but I am sure there will be a time when I do want to.... And a plasma is still just a dream at this point. And for 110 anything has to be better then the one outlet I have now..

Thanks for the input guys..

[Roper]

Tony just give me a call on my cell and ill walk you through it

Joe

[Roper]

Tony,
Reading more i can see what your up against, Ifi you can fish the wire beside that strap easily it is legal however drilling through it might mess up the structural integrity. 6-3 romex is a bitch to fish behind drywall the easiest route might be to sleeve it down the wall in 1" emt conduit and use a surface mount box. Call me if you have anymore questions

Joe

[chuck]

Where is the panel you will be coming out of? Why not use a 6/3 with ground and grd to the bus bar inside the panel? You are not required to go the the grd rod.

[chuck]

Never mind about the panel location, I see it now. And understand what you are talking about now. I have never seen a steel plate like that used in house construction before. Does it go through the bottom plate and into the cement?

[AdminTazz]

Shop ??? Wall plugs??? Walls??? what are these things.

All I have is 25' X 30' piece of concrete. A lot of tarps and a heavy gauge 50' 220 Exteion cord that powers everything, as soon as I unplug one piece of equipment and plug the other one in. http://www.oldhorseracing.org/BRF/images/smilies/smile.gif

It drive Jack, Daniel, Mike and everyone that has seen "My Shop" crazy. 2X4's and a tarp for the rainy season makes the 16' X 20' covered fabrication area. Tarps over all of the equipment to keep it dry. Bronco's and spare bronco parts in the way. My neighbors love me. Some day the city will actully give me a permit to build the shop part.

I just don't know what it is, that drives people crazy about having $$$ in equipment and no Shop.

The new racer will fabricated in "My shop" just like the crawler and others. http://www.oldhorseracing.org/BRF/images/smilies/smile.gif

[movindirt]

Chuck, yeah that strap goes into the fondation.

Your funny Dan. I need to come get that 9" soon and was thinking maybe I could put in a day on the racer at the same time if you want. I will try not complain about you shop or lack there of. :) Just let me know what day would work for you..

[dmoss]

Tony:

Just hang those outlets right there in that bay you already have chopped open, no conduit, no drilling required. It looks like it's only about 3 feet away from where you have marked anyway. The old place had the clothes dryer using that 220 outlet, too! Of course I was using a 110 V cluged together air compressor made from old air conditioner parts. Surface mounted the rest of the 110 outlets and lights, and then took it all with me when I moved. Also required 5 truck and trailer loads to move all the stuff out of that 2 car garage when I moved, and it was only 5 miles. I feel for you Chuck! I built 5 circle track racers in that shop.

And by the way Tony, I was "only" going to be in Sacramento for 2 years as well, that was in 1988!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don

[Roper]

I saw your shop too and for a guy whos built anything and everything in every corner of the world i wasnt to surprised. 1/2 of the lights in my house dont work the last thing i want to do when i get home is ANYTHING electrical. Although youve built a pretty cool rock crawler out of that shop.

[Roper]

Hey Dan you want some lights for your shop? There 175w metal halide i bought for a gas station canopy that never got used im using 4 of them in my carport im tearing down to make room for my new garage. you might have to build something to mount them to but there free and bright as hell. that ought to keep the neighbors happy

[movindirt]

Yeah I thought about putting it there except it limits the reach of my welder (3 car garage). I will have to check if that can work now that I moved my truck over. I guess if I have to make a small extention for that welder it is no big deal as I can take it when I leave.

And I know for sure we are leaving this place once Kim gets out of school, she already told me... :) But she is going to be my main sponsor when I finally get out there and race so I will go where she does. It mostly depends on where she gets a job but we are moving for sure..

Thanks for all the help guys!!!

[chuck]

I got so tired of moving I left a 53' trailer full of "good stuff".... I sure miss that stuff now

[movindirt]

I don't have your cell # Joe...

Well here is pic of the panel. Seems it will be easiest to pull the new circuits out the bottom. I put a yellow line and dot to what I think is the always hot don't touch part.

[Roper]

My cell # is (707) 975-5757 i thought i listed it sorry

The hot part is where that yellow dot is make sure you turn off the main before installing the breaker

Joe

[Roper]

You can bring the wire in the top or bottem whichever is easiest the breaker will fit above the main cb you will need a 50a 2 pole GE plug in CB they come in thin or full size home depot carries them as well as most hardware stores you will need a 3/4" or 1" romex clamp where the romex passes through the hole in the box.

[movindirt]

Thanks Joe. I will call if I need any help.

[Kath]

Shop ??? Wall plugs??? Walls??? what are these things.

All I have is 25' X 30' piece of concrete. A lot of tarps and a heavy gauge 50' 220 Exteion cord that powers everything, as soon as I unplug one piece of equipment and plug the other one in. http://www.oldhorseracing.org/BRF/images/smilies/smile.gif

It drive Jack, Daniel, Mike and everyone that has seen "My Shop" crazy. 2X4's and a tarp for the rainy season makes the 16' X 20' covered fabrication area. Tarps over all of the equipment to keep it dry. Bronco's and spare bronco parts in the way. My neighbors love me. Some day the city will actully give me a permit to build the shop part.

I just don't know what it is, that drives people crazy about having $$$ in equipment and no Shop.

The new racer will fabricated in "My shop" just like the crawler and others. http://www.oldhorseracing.org/BRF/images/smilies/smile.gif
Not all guys have the "fortitude" you do Dan. Didn't you once tell me the accomodations in Baja were wonderful; because after all, no one was shooting at us?