Is it possible to combine two AC power circuits to double current? (limited household current problem)
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Posted by Rheilly Phoull on February 18, 2005, 6:50 pm
Please log in for more thread options All in all, taking into account the warnings from others (and me !!), it would very likely be the most economical to have another breaker installed, most certainly the safest. The other option of the dual volt motor could be your saving if you have it. -- Regards ..... Rheilly Phoull | |||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by Kitchen Man on February 19, 2005, 7:38 pm
Please log in for more thread options On 17 Feb 2005 12:02:29 -0800, mjp.metals@gmail.com wrote: >I'm in a situation where I need around 20-24 amps continous of 110V
>(for a milling electric motor), but my strongest circuit in my breaker >box is 20 amps. I have 3 15 amps and 2 20 amps. Is it possible to >have the AC circuits in parallel somehow to be able to safely >(relativly) use the combined currents? What hardware would I need? Am >I concerned with the ac cycles being off in some way? > >Any other ideas? There have been a lot of interesting replies to this question, and I am glad to see that you are accepting those that steer you in the direction of caution. I've got some questions that, if the answers are right, might get you going safely and easily. You say you have three 15A and two 20A circuit breakers. That's not a lot, what environment are you in? It doesn't sound like a typical residence. Are you in a separately wired shop or garage? If so, and if you have to rewire, the job could be a lot easier than in a typical house. You've already decided to not try to parallel two circuits. Good. Now, if you are confident enough in your ability to not poke around with your fingers in places where they might get burned, take the cover off your CB panel and look at the wires. In my house, I have a 20-amp breaker that is dedicated to the kitchen range. Since I have a gas range, that connection doesn't require much power, and is probably why the breaker is only a 20, instead of a 40 or 50. The wiring, however, is big (three conductor, 8 awg), so if I ever installed an electric range, I could put in a bigger breaker, and Bob's your uncle. If you have a similarly wired circuit, you could do that - replace the breaker *and* the outlet (there are particular plug configurations for different voltage and amperage capabilities). Failing that, you'll have to rewire one of your circuits. If you are talking about a shed or a garage, it might be a really easy job. If it's a long run through a house, I'd consider the professional help. Finally, if you have 220V capability, find out if you can run your motor on 220 and put in a 220V circuit breaker. You could have a pro do that last job, too; it shouldn't cost that much. -- Al Brennan | |||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by Beeper on February 22, 2005, 4:24 pm
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You can use a 220 volt circuit if your motor is set up for it. By going with 220 you cut your amps in 1/2. So instead of using 20-24 amps, you'll draw 10-12 amps. > On 17 Feb 2005 12:02:29 -0800, mjp.metals@gmail.com wrote:
> >>I'm in a situation where I need around 20-24 amps continous of 110V
>>(for a milling electric motor), but my strongest circuit in my breaker >>box is 20 amps. I have 3 15 amps and 2 20 amps. Is it possible to >>have the AC circuits in parallel somehow to be able to safely >>(relativly) use the combined currents? What hardware would I need? Am >>I concerned with the ac cycles being off in some way? >> >>Any other ideas? >
> There have been a lot of interesting replies to this question, and I am > glad to see that you are accepting those that steer you in the direction > of caution. I've got some questions that, if the answers are right, > might get you going safely and easily. > > You say you have three 15A and two 20A circuit breakers. That's not a > lot, what environment are you in? It doesn't sound like a typical > residence. Are you in a separately wired shop or garage? If so, and if > you have to rewire, the job could be a lot easier than in a typical > house. > > You've already decided to not try to parallel two circuits. Good. Now, > if you are confident enough in your ability to not poke around with your > fingers in places where they might get burned, take the cover off your > CB panel and look at the wires. In my house, I have a 20-amp breaker > that is dedicated to the kitchen range. Since I have a gas range, that > connection doesn't require much power, and is probably why the breaker > is only a 20, instead of a 40 or 50. > > The wiring, however, is big (three conductor, 8 awg), so if I ever > installed an electric range, I could put in a bigger breaker, and Bob's > your uncle. If you have a similarly wired circuit, you could do that - > replace the breaker *and* the outlet (there are particular plug > configurations for different voltage and amperage capabilities). > > Failing that, you'll have to rewire one of your circuits. If you are > talking about a shed or a garage, it might be a really easy job. If > it's a long run through a house, I'd consider the professional help. > Finally, if you have 220V capability, find out if you can run your motor > on 220 and put in a 220V circuit breaker. You could have a pro do that > last job, too; it shouldn't cost that much. > > -- > Al Brennan | |||||||||||||||||||
> (for a milling electric motor), but my strongest circuit in my breaker
> box is 20 amps. I have 3 15 amps and 2 20 amps. Is it possible to
> have the AC circuits in parallel somehow to be able to safely
> (relativly) use the combined currents? What hardware would I need? Am
> I concerned with the ac cycles being off in some way?
>
> Any other ideas?
>