Thoughts on using a Splitter for a 6-30 outlet?

[Patrick Irish]

When my dad and I ran a sub panel and wire for my saw and planer, we ran a 30amp for the saw and 2 220s for a bandsaw and dust collection. Well.....I picked up a bandsaw that needs a 30amp now. I'm 99% sure the wire for the 20amp not being used is not ok for a 30amp plug but I can check.

If it's not....what about using a 6-30 splitter? It would prevent me from having to unplug the table or bandsaw when I need to switch between them. I'm also the only one that uses my tools and never use more than one at a time. It would be pretty simple to plug one of these into the wall and the table saw and bandsaw into them and be done. Either the linked page or the yellow one that's only $30.

https://www.amazon.com/2ft-L6-30P-L6-30R-Splitter-10AWG/dp/B01LWA3SG5

[Jim Becker]

"Can you"? Sure. It's not the best way to go but with little chance of both machines being turned on at once, you can get away with it.

[John Lanciani]

For about the same $ you could just add a second outlet and do it right.

[Bruce Wrenn]

For about the same $ you could just add a second outlet and do it right.Get a junction box, wire in two outlets,and a short cord to 30 amp plug. Wait, that's too simple.

[Jim Becker]

Get a junction box, wire in two outlets,and a short cord to 30 amp plug. Wait, that's too simple.

The commercial product he linked to is essentially that without the box...it's just all molded.

[Bruce Wrenn]

The commercial product he linked to is essentially that without the box...it's just all molded.If either outlet failed, the whole thing is now trash. By building in junction box, every thing is replacable.

[Jim Becker]

If either outlet failed, the whole thing is now trash. By building in junction box, every thing is replacable.
I'm not saying the method you mention is invalid, just that it's functionally equivalent of the product the OP asked about and doesn't require him to do any wiring if he's more comfortable with that. And you are correct that a box with multiple outlets is serviceable...always a nice thing.

[Bob Riefer]

I just went through this same decision (but on a 20 amp 220 receptacle, and for a table saw and jointer) - like the OP, I'm in a one-man shop and can't physically use both tools at once, so sharing the circuit was far easier than running a new line (plus, my panel is getting crowded).

While I decided to add a second receptacle... honestly if I'd found the product like linked in the first post, I would have done that probably. In the past 20 years of home ownership, I've literally never had a power cord, extension cord, splitter, timer, power strip, anything of this nature fail under its intended use... and in some cases, abused items keep ticking and ticking and ticking... so I would think a product of this design used thoughtfully as posted is just as "right" as any other option.

edit: Also, I do agree that being able to service items is a nice benefit. But in the realm of $30 items... replacing a splitter vs. replacing a receptacle is a wash...

[Bobby Robbinett]

How long is that splitter? I think that it would be five to use it, but if it is not very long then I believe a junction box and some 10/2 with another 30amp receptacle would be fine.

Do any of you guys use shared circuits in your shops? How many machines is reasonable on a 15amp 125v circuit or a 20amp 220v circuit?

[Jim Becker]

Bobby, "electrically" you can put "a whole bunch" of woodworking machines on the same physical circuit as long as you're only using one of the, at a time. Many folks with modest breaker space will have, say, two 240v circuits; one for the dust collection system and one for the machine-being-used-at-the-moment. Now code can sometimes come into play here relative to whether or not a local jurisdiction will appreciate a multi-outlet setup. I do have things arranged in my shop with a few instances of multiple outlets on a single 240 circuit because that helped with some flexibility over time. Mine are not daisy-chained, however...the outlets wire back to a j-box for that particular circuit.

BTW, I do not recommend 15a 120v circuits in the shop...20amp is a better choice. I believe it's a good idea to have at least two of these circuits with outlets alternating so you have the option of spreading load when using certain tool combinations. This is all independent of lighting, etc., which shouldn't be on the same circuit(s) as your tools.

[Rod Wolfy]

Jim, I agree with you about having two 20 amp circuits. When I run my SuperMax sander, it invariably blows the 15 amp circuit if there is anything else on that leg, even a light. Two 20 amp circuits are much better, but my house is 1989. I'm in contact with an electrician for an update, as my panel is 95' away and on another floor.

Looking to get a 30 amp 220v for my 5hp bandsaw (delivered yesterday), a 20 amp 220v and a 20 amp 110v.

[Ron Selzer]

Jim, I agree with you about having two 20 amp circuits. When I run my SuperMax sander, it invariably blows the 15 amp circuit if there is anything else on that leg, even a light. Two 20 amp circuits are much better, but my house is 1989. I'm in contact with an electrician for an update, as my panel is 95' away and on another floor.

Looking to get a 30 amp 220v for my 5hp bandsaw (delivered yesterday), a 20 amp 220v and a 20 amp 110v.

Rod, strongly suggest you explore with the electrician installing at least a 60 amp, 12 circuit sub panel in your shop, both because of the 95' home runs and the amount of loads you will end up wanting now and future.

I didn't and my shop is literally 16 feet from the main house panel to closest edge of the shop.
For me the advantage would be one point to turn all power off when not there, only 2 spaces used in the main panel instead of a full panel with twin breakers and still not enough circuits to the shop. I have to share 1 220 receptacle for the wide belt sander, table saw, shaper and thickness sander. I do have a 40 circuit panel that I will install someday in the shop and feed with a 90 amp breaker to use as a sub panel and free up space in the main house panel. At which time I will add 3 more 220 circuits and receptacles along with a few more 120 volt circuits and receptacles. I do have a subpanel in the garage and a subpanel outside for A/C and hot tub. I don't use a lot of power at a time, however much prefer separate breakers, home wire runs and receptacles for machines. Right now just need to tear down drywall ceiling to run new conduit for the new wire, find the time and money. Which may happen soon if the Government check for $1200 comes and I am still only working 3-4 hrs 1 day a week.

[Jim Becker]

Rod, strongly suggest you explore with the electrician installing at least a 60 amp, 12 circuit sub panel in your shop, both because of the 95' home runs and the amount of loads you will end up wanting now and future.

Good advise...long home runs for individual circuits require just as much labor as pulling one larger cable and having the panel provides more flexibility, for what is probably just a little more cost.

[lowell holmes]

Ron nailed it.

[Rod Wolfy]

So, I talked with the contractor & he said he could rerun my heat pump line and change it from a 30 amp to a 6/3, carrying 90 amps. He would then put in an outdoor subpanel and split it, with a 30 amp breaker and a 60 amp breaker. He would then run conduit the other 40' to my garage ànd put in a panel.

Should I have (2) 30 amp 220s or (1) 30 amp 220, (1) 20 amp 220v & ???

[Jim Becker]

The answer to your question lies with how the circuits are to be used. If you have two 240v machines that need to run at the same time, (saw and DC, for example) then you kinda have to have two 240v circuits. I believe it's permitted to have those two 240v circuits plus the single 120v circuit in that box with how things get calculated, but I could be wrong about that.

[David L Morse]

So, I talked with the contractor & he said he could rerun my heat pump line and change it from a 30 amp to a 6/3, carrying 90 amps. He would then put in an outdoor subpanel and split it, with a 30 amp breaker and a 60 amp breaker. He would then run conduit the other 40' to my garage ànd put in a panel.

Should I have (2) 30 amp 220s or (1) 30 amp 220, (1) 20 amp 220v & ???

How about (2) 30A 240V and (2) 20A 240V? Or, whatever is convenient. It's ok if they add up to more than 60A. You just can't use more than 60A at one time.

[Ron Selzer]

So, I talked with the contractor & he said he could rerun my heat pump line and change it from a 30 amp to a 6/3, carrying 90 amps. He would then put in an outdoor subpanel and split it, with a 30 amp breaker and a 60 amp breaker. He would then run conduit the other 40' to my garage ànd put in a panel.

Should I have (2) 30 amp 220s or (1) 30 amp 220, (1) 20 amp 220v & ???

You can have as many breakers as there is room in the panel for, breakers always add up to way more than the panel is rated for. You don't use all the equipment at one time and the load is never full breaker rating. Example look at the main panel in your house add all the breaker ratings up and then look at your main beaker rating.
I would have him install at least an eight space panel, twelve would be better.
Good luck
Ron

[Rollie Meyers]

If anyone is under the International Residential Code, it is prohibited to have more then one receptacle over 20A on the same circuit, nothing prohibits it under the NEC, but like a lot of things other codes can apply. Smoke alarms are not required under the NEC, they fall under the building code, as a example.

[Rod Wolfy]

So, I talked to my electrician. He's running a new outside line to my heat pump, carrying 80 amps. He's putting in two breakers, a 30 amp for the heat pump and a 50 amp for the garage. He's putting in a new panel in the garage with the 50 amps, which will have 24 spaces.

He's then running a 30 amp 220v, (2) 20 amp 220v and a 20 amp 110v lines across the garage for my 5hp bandsaw, 3hp tablesaw, 220v DC & my 110v SuperMax sander.

Thanks for the advise!

[Rod Sheridan]

How long is that splitter? I think that it would be five to use it, but if it is not very long then I believe a junction box and some 10/2 with another 30amp receptacle would be fine.

Do any of you guys use shared circuits in your shops? How many machines is reasonable on a 15amp 125v circuit or a 20amp 220v circuit?

All my machines, both 120 and 240V are on one circuit, with the exception of the dust extractor.

I have quantity 3, 4HP machines and one 2HP machine at 240 volts and a drill press and lathe at 120 volts.

All are fed from a 2 pole 20 ampere breaker, the shop has 4 inch square boxes with a duplex 120V and 240V receptacle in each box. You need to follow local rules on number of devices on one circuit, I have 6 duplex receptacles total.

Regards, Rod.

P.S. Where I live the rules now require GF and AF protection so if new I would have to install a 2P breaker with GF and AF protection.

[Rod Wolfy]

So, I talked to my electrician. He's running a new outside line to my heat pump, carrying 80 amps. He's putting in two breakers, a 30 amp for the heat pump and a 50 amp for the garage. He's putting in a new panel in the garage with the 50 amps, which will have 24 spaces.

He's then running a 30 amp 220v, (2) 20 amp 220v and a 20 amp 110v lines across the garage for my 5hp bandsaw, 3hp tablesaw, 220v DC & my 110v SuperMax sander.

Thanks for the advise!

So, the electrician finished yesterday. He had to switch some breakers in my box to use smaller sized breakers, which he called "Peanuts". He's also going to be putting in a Whole house surge protector, when it comes in next week.

He ran a new 6/3 around the house in conduit and put in a new 60 amp breaker on the side of the house. He then put a new panel in the garage with 24 spaces. He ran a 30 amp 220v leg across the garage to where my new bandsaw is parked with a L6-30 receptacle, a 20 amp 120v to the ceiling near my drum sander a 20 amp 220v outlet to the ceiling at my dust collector and another 20amp 220v leg to my ceiling next to my heater. Lots of power and everything can stay plugged in!