Any electricians?

[JRANGER]

Had a couple questions on a sub panel.

First.....Its a fuse panel, old glass type 60 amp box. 3 circuits currently connected.

1 feeds my garage door opener and a single light and electrical outlet.
1 feeds a single electrical outlet.
1 feeds 6 lights and an electrical outlet

This sub panel is ran off a dual 30 amp breaker from my main panel. It has 2 Sets of 14 gauges (GRAY) wire ran into the sub panel and twisted into a much larger wire the feeds the main.

Is this safe? How many amps are running with this setup?

Should i replace the box? Can i run 220v from this fuse panel?

This is a22x46 garage and i need to add more lighting or well really just replace the fixtures with shop lights.

I want more outlets and 220v for a welder and such. More then likely just as needed but i may also get 220v compressor upgrade at sometime.


Thanks for the help....

 

[FordDude]

First question is are you able to pull new wire? 14 is kinda small. Also I asked an electrical question a while back.
http://www.stangfix.com/threads/220vac-question.23087/

fd

 

[JRANGER]

Yeah, i agree but its underground wire and they ran them together at the box. So they doubled 2 14 gauge wires together for this setup....It also comes out from the breaker on both poles to 1 line....UGH....

I would be possible but rather difficult unless i rip out some wall

No to mention its probably about a 50ft run

 

[Grabber70Mach]

Sorry but in my opinion that's a fire waiting to happen. IIRC NEC code for 30A would be 10ga. up to 100ft., after that you would need to step up to 8ga. You would also be better off replacing your sub panel with a Circuit breaker box. A 220V welder will also require a higher amperage circuit, my stick requires 50A, can't recall what my mig requires. Typical lighting circuit uses 15A and outlets typically use 15A also. But I would recommend stepping your outlets up to 20A circuit this also requires you to use recepticles rated for 20A.

 

[Horseplay]

Yep, I wouldn't trust that to run more than a simple light circuit. You need to pull all new wire to the subpanel. You can easily find the necessary gauge with a quick net search. Distance and draw/load will tell you what you need. And also agree you should put in a breaker panel and lose the fuses. If you plan to run a welder or compressor out there this is MUST DO not could do stuff. Either WILL burn up that current set-up if you tried to get by with it.

 

[msell66]

Having done this myself at the last house we owned (ran a new breaker panel and 220V line to garage), I concur with the above comments, recommendations and cautions.