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Household wiring

gearhead

Cast Iron
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Location
Missouri
I'm currently running most of my equipment (lathe, welders and air compressor) on 220 single phase with a 30 amp breaker. The wire size is 10 gauge. Can I jump up to a 40 amp breaker on a 10-3 line or is that a no no. Thinking about running an 8 or 6 gauge 220 line so I can get a heavier breaker. I do not have trouble tripping the 30 amp breaker, but thinking about my further equipment needs.
 
Last edited:
According to NEC thats a no-no as far as general branch circuits go
10 gauge 30 amps
8 gauge 40 amps
6 gauge 50 amps

That said I have a 40 amp on the 10 gauge to my garage due to nuisance tripping when I occasionally weld, but it's a very intermittent load and the conductors run entirely underground from my service entrance box to the garage panel thus a very low fire hazard. Would it be that the wire ran through the attic of my house, no way would I do this.
 








 
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