Topic: Garage electrical question

[orkid1989]

I am a horrible electrician and know only the basics. I livedo in st.louis muissouri. My home has a 100amp 240volt power. I believe it is 2 phase because their are 2 wires plus the ground going to the house. The electrical pole only appears to have 2 wires but like I said im no electrician. Now the problem. I am using nearly all of the power so when I turn my air compressor on and have to turn the lights off or it will throw the breaker. Would be nice to be able to do both at the same time lol. I would also like to add a 240v in the garage for a welder. Any suggestions or ideas?

[kirkn]

What breaker trips?  If it's the main 100-amp service, I think you'll be out of luck.  If it's one of the smaller 15- or 20-amp breakers, you probably have some wiggle room.

Physically, it's possible to add additional breakers to the panel, assuming there are knock-out slots available in that panel cover.  Electrically though, you might not have enough capacity, at only 100 amps for the house.

In either case, since you're not handy electrically, even if you get good advice here or elsewhere, you should still call an electrician.

Especially in this economic climate.  Around here, with the crashed housing market, builders and tradesmen are all starving for work and very attractive work rates are the new norm.

Good luck with it.

Kirk

[orkid1989]

What breaker trips?  If it's the main 100-amp service, I think you'll be out of luck.  If it's one of the smaller 15- or 20-amp breakers, you probably have some wiggle room.

Physically, it's possible to add additional breakers to the panel, assuming there are knock-out slots available in that panel cover.  Electrically though, you might not have enough capacity, at only 100 amps for the house.

In either case, since you're not handy electrically, even if you get good advice here or elsewhere, you should still call an electrician.

Especially in this economic climate.  Around here, with the crashed housing market, builders and tradesmen are all starving for work and very attractive work rates are the new norm.

Good luck with it.

Kirk

Thanks for the tip and it is a 15 breaker. Their are 4 open slots and I know I can add breakers but obviously can't exceed the service. I was just wondering if I had any options if I get an electrician. Don't want to call someone to just say im #$%* out of luck

[madmtnmotors]

kirkn is right, things are tough all over and competition is fierce. If you are wanting to add a 240v outlet for a welder (as well as resolving the compressor vs lights issue) you may want to bump the service up to 150 amp and here is where a knowledgeable electrician can tell you whether or not the existing wiring is large enough. Adding breakers is easy and if you run the compressor on a dedicated breaker that should resolve your problems with the shared circuit (most compressors call for a 20amp circuit). Your current service will probably handle a new circuit for the compressor but you might come up short on the 240v welder circuit. Definitely seek professional advice, call around and you might find a couple of places willing to do a free estimate, then get more than one estimate to help keep everyone honest.

[orkid1989]

Ok thanks for the tip

[Spanner 1]

Your compressor will trip that 15A breaker as it is a shared circuit with lots more outlets and stuff plugged-in.... what you need is a dedicated circuit for the compressor, just a plug close to the breaker panel on its own 20A breaker wired with # 12 wire... easy !  No upgrade above your existing service  required at all  ... Above 150 bucks to do it and you have been robbed  ....... should cost $100 or so.