How can I add a 220 volt outlet to my garage?

Question

I want to buy a 60 gallon air compressor for my garage, so I will need to ad 220 power. My house is newer(built in 2004) but it was a spec home, so I couldn't have the builder add this since the house was wired already. I have good basic knowledge of how to wiring, and I was planning on doing all wiring myself except for the connection at the main breaker. Would an electrician be willing to connect this for me? I don't want to spend a small fortune, but I want to be safe too. I would need to either run cable through the garage ceiling through my attic and then outside since my breaker box is outside. Do I have to use conduit during any portion of the wire running? 12 gauge or 10 gauge wire?

Answer 1

To get it done right, hire an electrician, and offer to give him a hand.  If you know which end of a hammer to hold, he'll probably welcome the idea.  And you'll sleep a little better.

Answer 2

ok get an electrician! you will need a dedicated circuit cause if it is a spec home then the circuits they have installed will be fully loaded. your compressor will no doubt trip the breaker if you come off an existing circuit. as the last guy said find out the amperage and install a dedicated circuit to measure. new regs here ( in australia) state that you have to install a safety switch as well if the power point is rated at 20 amps or less. don't mess with it if you don't know what you are doing cause you're a long time dead mate.

Answer 3

as far as the wire size goes you will need to know how many amps it draws. For instants if it runs on 220v. 20 amp you will need to run 3 #12 guage wires Two black wires or  black wire and a green wire for the ground. No matter what size compressor you get a 220v. is no more than two 110v.circuits only you do not need the nutral wire (the white) wire. Just two colors and a ground.

A 30 amp circuit would require #10 wire. 40 amp = #8 wire   50 amp = #6 wire.  As far as conduit goes, if the wire is ran in the wall, between the 2x4 you can run romex. If it is ran on the outside of the walls it will need to be in a metal conduit for safety. No splices should be behind the walls, only in a plastic box if running romex, or metal box if running metal conduit. If any portion of the pipe is ran outside you must have compression fittings to keep any water from rain, sprinklers from getting into the pipe. All splices need to be accessable if you have any. As far as the final hookup goes it is fairly simple if you have basic knowledge. You will need a two pole breaker to match the proper size wire, do NOT install a bigger breaker than the wire is rated for unless you like to live on the edge (big fire hazzard). You will need to install a box where your receptical will go, make sure the female receptical matches the male end. To land the wires in the electrical panel you need to install the green wire to the ground bar inside of the panel on the side, you will see plain copper wires connected to it . you may see white wires connected to it as well. then make sure the breaker you purchase is the same brand as your panel. most are interchangable. write the name of the panel down and go th your local Home depot or Lowes they carry just about anything you will need.To install the breaker the end with the screws will hook then push the front part onto the buss bars. Make sure the breaker is off and connect each wire you ran onto each lug s***w and tighten down firmly. 1 wire on each s***w and your done...  Good luck  This is a fairly simple project if you follow the directions. I've been an electrician for 27 years. 20 in the union so i've done this once or twice. just remember make your connection to the breaker the last thing you do so there is noooo chance of getting shocked.