Running 220v lines

[magnetic_tarantula]

I am not too familiar with electrical work, but am familiar enough to install if I have a good explanation.

I am thinking of running a dual 220v outlet to my back porch to be able to run heater elements on 2 kegs. Each of the elements will be 5500w.

My questions:

Will I need 2 breakers, or can I just get one really large breaker(75A??)

To handle that much what gauge wire would I need?

Will 8 Gauge cover that? If so is that only for shorter distances?

If I need to I can run it through the attic, but we have some wood trim I can tuck it into outside.

If not is 6 gauge going to cover it?

Ultimately I want to cover the possibility that each of these will be running at full capacity at least for a little while.

Thank you in advance for my answers, and hopefully my questions are retarded.

[mash rookie]

If you are running two circuits you need two breakers. Breakers protect the wire. To put 6 or eight gauge wire on a 70 amp breaker would not be safe. The wire could short without popping the breaker. Work backwards from your load. How many amps will each circuit draw? What type of wire are you looking at? The wire type and size determines how much load you can put on it. If you have wire. Read the wire and google it. A good rule of thumb is to load a breaker to maximum 80% of stated value. Be safe.

edit. I didnt see that you stated 5500 watts each. watts / volts = amps. About 23 amps per. use wire rated at at least 30 amps and use a 30 amp breaker for each circut.

[midcarolina]

My questions:

Will I need 2 breakers, or can I just get one really large breaker(75A??)

To handle that much what gauge wire would I need?

Will 8 Gauge cover that? If so is that only for shorter distances?

If I need to I can run it through the attic, but we have some wood trim I can tuck it into outside.

If not is 6 gauge going to cover it?

.

You can do it a couple diff way's depending on naterial you have and available circuits.....
You can run one #6 service from the panel then install a small sub panel at your stillin location and split in to two #10 circuits with appropriate sized breakers....
You could run two #10 runs all the way from the breakers inside if you have the available space and load in your panel
Diff. rated wire type of the same gauge are rated for diff. amps you can find a wire gauge/amp chart by googling it.......


posting at same time as MR

[magnetic_tarantula]

So I would need:

2-30 AMP Breakers

enough 8 or 10 gauge wire to cover the distances(as long as it is rated to at least 30A). Is there different wire used for outdoors vs indoors? Some stretches of this wire will be ourdoors, and some indoors.

Is there any specifics for the outlet that I get? Or are all the outlets going to be rated the same? does it just need to be rated to 30A(as well as being a 220V outlet)?

[bellybuster]

Running outdoors is a whole new ball game. You really need to consult the codes for your area.
For my hot tub run I went buried with #6. It had to be in conduit to get under ground. Buriable cable is very expensive. If you can run through the house it will be half the cost.
You may find going electric to be cost prohibitive.

[mrrb]

Just to be clearer about what you are asking, you will need two 30 amp breakers and 10 gauge wires with a ground for each keg. The breakers are installed next to each other so that they bridge both 110volt busses.
You can use pvc conduit to protect the wire from getting wet where it is outdoors
For the outlet and plug, make sure it is rated at 220v and 30 amps. These are used alot for welders.
You could probably use a controller and a shut-off switch for each keg also.

[magnetic_tarantula]

Any idea of the difference in time in bringing a 15.5 G keg up to boil running a 5500W element on 110v vs 220v?

[Dnderhead]

" bringing a 15.5 G keg up to boil running a 5500W element on 110v vs 220v?"
a 240v element on 120 will have 1/4 the power.

[bellybuster]

I don't know about there but here you cannot use standard house wire outdoors even if it is inside PVC. It must be rated for wet/damp locations, usually with a "W" in the code.
Check your electrical codes and have your work inspected/passed, your insurance relies on it.

[mrrb]

I think you are right about the wire being rated for wet locations. the pvc conduit would just provide mechanical protection.

[Durace11]

5500W 220V on a 110V circuit is something like 1375W so two would be 2750W total. That should be plenty for a 15.5 gallon keg to run. This is the route I'm thinking of taking(dual 110V 1375W elements) since I can barely get a 220V in my panel. Freakin 70A panel is all I got and my electrical guy says adding a 220V to what I already have will max it out.

[mash rookie]

Your insurance will cover you. I was an insurance repair contractor for many years. Home owner policies cover you for stupidity or mistakes. Your insurance company can not deny a claim because you did not get an electrical permit for example. No where in your policy will it state that any work done on your home must be inspected by local authorities. They will not cover losses of an intentional nature. That is fraud.

You may even be covered if you were doing something illegal (like distilling) as long as you are not trying to make a false claim for the intention profiting from the loss. I would hire an attorney quickly if you have a still fire. As long as it was not you (The insured) that started the fire you might be okay. (my son was fooling around in the garage sir)

[Prairiepiss]

If you were to change to 4500w elements. One 50 amp circuit would be plenty. 50 amp circuit breaker. 8 gauge cable and a 50 amp plug. When you build your controller build it so it will house both controllers.

4500w should be more then enough for a keg. Many use them.

A 5500 w element on 110v is 1375 w.
1375 w will heat 10 gal of water to boil in 165 min.
5500w will heat 10 gal to boil in 41 min.
4500w will heat 10 gal to boil in 50 min.
All approx and used calculators in parent site at 95% efficiency.

[magnetic_tarantula]

Your insurance will cover you. I was an insurance repair contractor for many years. Home owner policies cover you for stupidity or mistakes. Your insurance company can not deny a claim because you did not get an electrical permit for example. No where in your policy will it state that any work done on your home must be inspected by local authorities. They will not cover losses of an intentional nature. That is fraud.

You may even be covered if you were doing something illegal (like distilling) as long as you are not trying to make a false claim for the intention profiting from the loss. I would hire an attorney quickly if you have a still fire. As long as it was not you (The insured) that started the fire you might be okay. (my son was fooling around in the garage sir)

"Apparently my 3 year old daughter saw too many episodes of Moonshiners, which is funny cuz don't even watch it sir, musta got up and watched a late night marathon"