Cost??? to have 220v installed... anyone know about how much?

Like it says folks. I've come to the conclusion I'm going to have to hire someone to install a 220v in my garage for my air compressor. A day at HomeDepot resulted in getting no help and a waste of $10 gas. I'm not looking for how to's at this point, I'm past that now. Just want to get it done. For those of you who paid someone to install a 220v outlet. How much did it cost you?
 
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The answer is in several parts:

1.) How far is the spot for the compressor from the nearest circuit breaker panel? The 14 gauge wire cost adds up.

2.) Are there any blank or vacant knockouts in the circuit breaker panel? No spare places in the panel means another panel or breaker box. More labor to add a separate panel or extra breaker box, and additional parts cost.
3.) Will the wiring need to run under the house, through the attic or around the out side of the house? Under the house means there needs to be sufficient crawl space to get a beer bellied electrician under there with room to spare. Though the attic means the same electrician needs enough space to walk through without tripping and falling through the ceiling. Outside the house means the wiring will need to run through rigid conduit to meet most electrical codes. The outside conduit is easier to do in terms of accessibility, but more expensive in parts cost.

Post some answers to these questions and them maybe someone will have some good ideas...
 
jrichker said:
The answer is in several parts:

1.) How far is the spot for the compressor from the nearest circuit breaker panel? The 14 gauge wire cost adds up.


um...14 gauge wire for 220v air compressor :lol: :lol:


Be smart and use 10 Hell, I wont even use 14/2 w/g in my house for hair dryers..

You are probably looking at around 300 for them to run it for you.
 
hell its easy to do yourself...

we had to run it for our garage heater....we ended up running the wire from the box and through the basement ceiling joists, then up the garage wall, since the garage wall has the living room on the other side lol....in the garage we put a seperate switch box so that we could cut it off in the summer.
 
Smokedawg said:
um...14 gauge wire for 220v air compressor :lol: :lol:


Be smart and use 10 Hell, I wont even use 14/2 w/g in my house for hair dryers..

You are probably looking at around 300 for them to run it for you.
Since the motor only draws a little more than 10 amps, 14 gauge is the logical choice. From yesterday's info - (3 hp x 746 watts per HP) 3 HP motor = 2238 watts. Divide watts by voltage and you get amps. Thus 2238 watts divided by 220 volts = 10.17 amps. Add 20% for a safety factor and you have 12 amps and some change. The 14 gauge wire is good for 15 amps if the distance is less than 50 feet.
 
LOL..run your 14 guage... There is no way in hell I would run that little **** in any garage of mine. If you ever get a welder or bigger air compressor..you wil be screwed.. But go ahead and save him $30...
 
Running larger gauge wire is probably a good idea, but I would stick with a 15 amp breaker for the time being.

The reason is that if the motor develops an internal short or overload, you want the breaker to trip before it does any real damage. Using a 20 amp breaker on a circuit that pulls 10 amps is overkill to the point of being dangerous. If the compressor locks up, you want the breaker to trip before it melts the motor windings. Use a 20 amp breaker and you reduce the chances of that happening like it should.