220 v question

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darrenjttu

darrenjttu

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
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233
Location
Fort Worth, Texas.
Ok i just got my new bandsaw and wired a new outlet for 220v. I followed the recomendations for the plug, wire, circuit, metal conduit, ect. My question is I have never added a plug into an existing breaker box. The house is 5 years old and the main fuse is 200 and I put in a double 20 (what it called for). Anyways I just want to make sure I have this right. Any suggestions? Did I do this right? I just dont want to start a fire. Thanks in advance.

Darren
 
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You probably did fine. Although i would think that at 220v it should only be drawing about 9 amps or somewhere in that area. Have you tried the saw? Does everything seem to function properly?
 
Is it only me who thinks it a little ironic that Darren is concerned about starting a fire? ;)

I don't have enough information to help with the question: Did you do what right? Install the right breaker? Run the hot & neutral wires correctly?

Here are a couple of how-to's that may address your concerns:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/220outlet.html#4

Page 10 in this pdf has a pretty good visual:

http://books.google.ca/books?id=yEA...X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA10,M1

Cheers!

Gary
 
maxwell_smart007 said:
Call an electrician and/or an inspector! :smile:
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I'm a wuss when it comes to electricity, so I'll DOUBLE SECOND what Andrew said. There's a reason those guys get decent money. Like they know a Hell of a lot more than I do about deadly, brain and house exploding voltage!!!

But that's just me.

Dale
 
Can't help if we do not know what you did in the first place. Will tell you this if this is a new saw and you have the manual then it will show the wiring and what it needs. You do not say what the amperage is?? The breaker you used should be a 2-pole breaker. The outlet should match the cord if the saw is a 220v saw and came with a 220v 20 amp cap. If it is a dual voltage saw than you need to make sure you have the right cap. Alot of times they come with a 120v cap and are wired for 120 volts. Make sure you connect the green wires to the ground buss in the panel and to the equipment ground at the outlet. Probably no need for a neutral so 2 wire is good. You say it is 20 amps so #12 wire is good if it is not a long distance to the outlet. Other than that turn the breaker on and close your eyes. HE HE
 
maxwell_smart007 said:
Call an electrician and/or an inspector! :smile:
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I'll chime in here as a third... call a pro. I've already curled my hair, been knocked on my keester and blew out the entire radio communications room when I was in the navy by crossing a reperforator circuit.
I also saw 300 Volts run through an electrician tech's hand in and slice him like a knife...
I have a very healthy respect for electricity.
 
Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't deadly. It only take a miniscule amount of electricity to stop your heart. Pay the money to an electrician. A short or wire with too much load can fry your house or equipment.
 
darrenjttu said:
Ok i just got my new bandsaw and wired a new outlet for 220v. I followed the recomendations for the plug, wire, circuit, metal conduit, ect. My question is I have never added a plug into an existing breaker box. The house is 5 years old and the main fuse is 200 and I put in a double 20 (what it called for). Anyways I just want to make sure I have this right. Any suggestions? Did I do this right? I just dont want to start a fire. Thanks in advance.

Darren
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I'm guessing if you don't know, you better get someone over there who does before turning anything on.
 
I would suggest that someone look at it whether a building inspector or electrician. Does anyone in the FMO's (fire marshalls office) do inspections? Here in VA we have inspectors and investigators. Just a thought.
 
Ahyup!

carverken said:
I would suggest that someone look at it whether a building inspector or electrician. Does anyone in the FMO's (fire marshalls office) do inspections? Here in VA we have inspectors and investigators. Just a thought.
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EXACTLY what I always do.... I do all the (expensive) grunt-work and then get a professional to look it over before I kill myself or someone else.

Cheers!

Gary
 
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darrenjttu said:
I am just a little paranoid about electrical fires because I know how devastating they can be. I have seen them all to often on houses and cars.
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Here's something that blows me away: I have never worked on the wiring of ANY house without finding something (usually multiple "somethings") that makes me say "Whoa... what was that guy thinking?" Not just things that are odd, but things that are really, really bad.

Yet, the vast majority of houses will never burn down. It amazes me just how much of a safety factor is built into our current system, so that even when things go wrong, houses usually won't light on fire.

Now, I'm not advocating that anyone be lax in their electrical practices. Be safe. Whenever I do wiring, my goal is that in twenty years, when someone else opens up the wall, they look at my work and say "Wow. That guy sure took the time to do it right."

jttheclockman said:
The outlet should match the cord if the saw is a 220v saw and came with a 220v 20 amp cap. If it is a dual voltage saw than you need to make sure you have the right cap. Alot of times they come with a 120v cap and are wired for 120 volts.
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Not only that, but the stock on/off switch isn't always capable of 220V operation, often because they're single-pole, not double-pole.
 
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PM me I can walk you through the basics. I have a lot of experience with electrical work (Licensed General Contractor) It sounds like you have already installed the douple pole 20 amp breaker? What is the length of the wire run? What size wire did you use? What type of wire THHN, THNN, THWN? If you don't know the answers to these questions then I would definately get someone to help you. If you just need to make sure you have done it right I can help
 
If you need to ask then you need to call a licensed electrician. I don't know what your rules are but if you have a fire, under our rules , you would have no cover. Uts too late once it bites you.

Experience is a good teacher it gives you the lesson second
 
If I knew anything about working with electricity (other than that it hurts) I would help ya but if you ever have any questions about what goes on inside a state prison give me a holler.
 
Art Fuldodger said:
Yet, the vast majority of houses will never burn down. It amazes me just how much of a safety factor is built into our current system, so that even when things go wrong, houses usually won't light on fire.


Not only that, but the stock on/off switch isn't always capable of 220V operation, often because they're single-pole, not double-pole.
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Whenever there is a fire in a house the first thing they look for is electrical problems. I can tell you stories of things I seen people do and you would wonder how there never was a fire in the house. Electricity is not something to be taken lightly and you definetly need to know what you are doing. I see this person has not responded so I hope things went well.
 
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