New Shop

Having a shop built . Don't have any 220 volt tools , but wonder if it might be a good idea to have one 220 outlet . May want a bigger air compressor or small welder down the road . Would a 30 amp outlet be big enough ? THANKS !!

+1 on a 50 amp

I don't have any 220 tools either but put a 50 amp 220 outlet between the large door and walkin door. The 50 amp 220 range plug is common to many items and RVs. I've used mine twice I bought a commercial griddle for the church and rebuilt it used it to try it out works good. Also borrowed the hot wash pressure washer from the farm cleaned the concrete before sealing it. I only have 60 amp service to my shed since its subbed off the barn. I'd have to dig in 200 feet if I wanted more service there. I did put in a 125 amp box and wired the circuits for 20 amps if I ever decide to change it. Once the wires are behind the steel it's hard to upgrade them.

I installed two 50A circuits, one so I could add a 240V Air Compressor(glad as I did) and the other to multiple outlets I can move my welders around to rather than dragging a extension cord(expensive) to get enough reach. Cords add resistance, reduce efficiency and welding power. Have two dedicated outlets also 50A for lathe and mill.

I put in a number of 60 amp breakers in my shop. Each one is just for one plug. In a couple of places I have then step them down to 30 amp. A 30 amp box with a 60 amp male plug wire to it, then a 30amp female plug wire  into the box.
Also on most of my 15-20 amp plugs are one to breaker. It first has a light switch, then the plug. To turn most of my equ on, you have to throw two switches.

My electrician asked if I wanted a 20 or 30 amp outlet . He'll be back next week and I'll tell him I want a 50 amp . THANKS for all the advice 

VISIT ?!?? Sure , c'mon down . Bring some snow .

Your entrance box should not be less than a 100A. Even more does not hurt a thing. I also use a small box to run my welder feed. Has two 60A fuses and it works OK. 

My electrician asked if I wanted a 20 or 30 amp outlet . He'll be back next week and I'll tell him I want a 50 amp . THANKS for all the advice 

Dakota

A 50 amp RV Receptacle is NOT 220 volt.

It is 2 individual 110 volt circuits with a common White neutral plus a ground wire.

This gives 2 separate 50 amp circuits in the RV.

Gary

To my way of thinking, electrical service is like a pole barn, never big enough, go bigger than you think you will ever need, so that if an opportunity comes along to upgrade your equipment, power won't be the hold up, even 100 amps @ 220 volts doesn't go far if you start looking at serious welders or any other shop machine for that matter. I have a hobby shop now with a 200 amp service and a 25 hp phase converter and wished I'd gone bigger, but can't justify the expense of upgrading just for the sake of convenience and the real problem is I'm spoiled by what I can do at work. The shop where I make my living has a 1200 amp, 480 volt 3 phase service, and I remember thinking when we moved in there almost 30 years ago that there was no way that would ever be stretched, but with several machines with 50 hp spindle motors, a water jet with a 75 hp pump, a 100 hp grinder, plus everything else, it really adds up, throw in the summer with 4 rooftop AC units running, and the meter can really spin. Obviously, this isn't a situation you will encounter at home, but just pointing out how little power is really there on a 50 amp 220 single phase circuit. I don't own a single welder that draws less than 100 amps at 220 volts full load current, and if I have the capability, I want to be able to use it. Good luck with your project, I'm sure you will enjoy it once it's done.

My 110 Lincoln mig welder works on 15 amp outlet. If I need more I have to turn the key on the Miller and start the engine. It wasn't cost effective for me to upgrade the service. I'd need to upgrade the main at the pole that feeds my house and barn and dig in another 200 feet of triplex if I was going to do that I probably should upgrade the feed to the barn but it only has 6 lights and 6 outlets with only a fridge plugged in.

AC  If you got an experienced electrician, I would suggest discussing this matter in depth with him.

i have a 220 mig and air compressor.  i will be back from the barn later today to update but i don't think I have a 50 amp circuit breaker in the box period.  Most got fixated on the 50A deal.  That is a lot of juice.  If you hook up something scrawney (say uses less than 30 amp) to 50 amp, I don't see the logic there.

Like Butch, first thing I did was put in a 100amp service box and then run my needs accordingly.

As stated, you are going to need some heavy wire to carry 50 amps.  i get by well on #10 romex for the air compressor, mig plug, and the 30 amp 110 for the fifth wheel that is in storage there.

Back from the barn.  The air compressor is running on a 30 amp breaker, which is probably an overkill but I had the 30 laying around.  The mig which says 170 on the side requires a 20 amp 220 source.  The RV breaker is a 30 amp 110.

i don't want to get in the ozone layer here but, drier, welder, and RV plugs are not one and the same.  And it is my understanding that the 50A RV plug is 220 at the pedistal.  However once it hits the service panel in the RV the legs are split into two 110's. 

My two centavos, but it has got me down the road for 18 years now without popping a breaker.

Put at least two in if you can. you don't want to have to unplug the compressor to run a welder.