Apologies in advance for the length, but I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone whose shop has more than a single 220 volt connection dedicated to a lathe or other piece of machinery.
Scenario
Shop space is currently an attached 2-car garage with 3 walls approx 20 feet each in which I'm going to add circuits for 220/230 volt operation. FWIW, a lightly utilized 150-amp subpanel is already installed in 1 wall, added a few years ago in anticipation of wiring the space for shop use.
For setup flexibility to adjust workspace as needed, most--if not all machinery (including wife's kiln)--will be movable via casters, mobile bases, etc.
Preferences
I plan to put 2 outlets per wall per circuit (knowing not to exceed any single circuit ampacity for 2 or more devices operating simultaneously). All together, I'd like to run about 4 separate 220v circuits, but could run more if necessary (within code, but for discussion purposes not addressed in this post).
What's Clear
Power cords, plugs, and outlets will correspond to NEMA types associated with amp ratings for each circuit's wiring and breaker.
Motors for single-phase 230v equipment require higher starting current, necessitating significantly higher amperage circuits than they draw during operation.
If kiln is in operation, it's 50-amp circuit will not have any other devices plugged in, avoiding the risk of interrupting a firing. Motorized shop equipment may utilize this circuit if the kiln is not in use.
A second 50-amp circuit will be installed to operate other equipment while the kiln is in use. (Outlets will be ID'd according to circuit.)
Murky Issue #1
The Manual for a soon to be delivered bandsaw with a 5hp motor stipulates connecting to a 50-amp circuit. Considering a worst-case scenario, the Manual for a potential future piece, a planer also having a 5hp motor, stipulates a 60-amp circuit. Granted, during normal operation I understand a planer may be subjected to heavier loading / higher amp draw than a bandsaw, but one reference I have indicates a 28 amp draw for a 5hp motor (when not under load, I presume). This planer does not show a second, smaller motor for the feedrollers (as I've seen elsewhere), so the need for 60 amps instead of 50 is not clear.
Do I really need to consider installing a 60-amp circuit, too, or take a "wait and see" stance? The planned 50-amp circuit(s) could be wired with heavier gauge wire and breaker to handle 60 amps, but there's no 60-amp NEMA plug/outlet combination like those for 50-amps and less.
Murky Issue #2
A 1.75hp dust collector's Manual specs a 20-amp circuit for 230v operation (or 30 amps for 115v). Even higher up the Planned Acquisitions List than the planer is a lathe with a 2hp motor (recommended circuit amperage unknown until I check with the manufacturer).
Knowing that some future lathe might even have a 3hp motor, and many of you already have such lathes, what amperage(s) should I consider installing as Circuits #3 and #4?
Scenario
Shop space is currently an attached 2-car garage with 3 walls approx 20 feet each in which I'm going to add circuits for 220/230 volt operation. FWIW, a lightly utilized 150-amp subpanel is already installed in 1 wall, added a few years ago in anticipation of wiring the space for shop use.
For setup flexibility to adjust workspace as needed, most--if not all machinery (including wife's kiln)--will be movable via casters, mobile bases, etc.
Preferences
I plan to put 2 outlets per wall per circuit (knowing not to exceed any single circuit ampacity for 2 or more devices operating simultaneously). All together, I'd like to run about 4 separate 220v circuits, but could run more if necessary (within code, but for discussion purposes not addressed in this post).
What's Clear
Power cords, plugs, and outlets will correspond to NEMA types associated with amp ratings for each circuit's wiring and breaker.
Motors for single-phase 230v equipment require higher starting current, necessitating significantly higher amperage circuits than they draw during operation.
If kiln is in operation, it's 50-amp circuit will not have any other devices plugged in, avoiding the risk of interrupting a firing. Motorized shop equipment may utilize this circuit if the kiln is not in use.
A second 50-amp circuit will be installed to operate other equipment while the kiln is in use. (Outlets will be ID'd according to circuit.)
Murky Issue #1
The Manual for a soon to be delivered bandsaw with a 5hp motor stipulates connecting to a 50-amp circuit. Considering a worst-case scenario, the Manual for a potential future piece, a planer also having a 5hp motor, stipulates a 60-amp circuit. Granted, during normal operation I understand a planer may be subjected to heavier loading / higher amp draw than a bandsaw, but one reference I have indicates a 28 amp draw for a 5hp motor (when not under load, I presume). This planer does not show a second, smaller motor for the feedrollers (as I've seen elsewhere), so the need for 60 amps instead of 50 is not clear.
Do I really need to consider installing a 60-amp circuit, too, or take a "wait and see" stance? The planned 50-amp circuit(s) could be wired with heavier gauge wire and breaker to handle 60 amps, but there's no 60-amp NEMA plug/outlet combination like those for 50-amps and less.
Murky Issue #2
A 1.75hp dust collector's Manual specs a 20-amp circuit for 230v operation (or 30 amps for 115v). Even higher up the Planned Acquisitions List than the planer is a lathe with a 2hp motor (recommended circuit amperage unknown until I check with the manufacturer).
Knowing that some future lathe might even have a 3hp motor, and many of you already have such lathes, what amperage(s) should I consider installing as Circuits #3 and #4?