Simple - Wiring 50amp

erb · 10-07-2010, 05:42 PM

I need to hookup a 2 pole 50amp breaker. It will power 4 110/120 outlets.

I believe I need 6 gauge wire = 6/3 with ground. One black, red, white and a ground.

I connect the black and red wires to each pole on the breaker.
I don't have a ground bar, just neutral bars in the main panel so the white and ground will go on the neutral bars in the main panel.

I'm not sure how to connect the red and black hot wires to the outlets...

Do i just put 2 outlets on the black and 2 on the red?

Please let me know if I need to clarify anything.

Thanks!

kbsparky · 10-07-2010, 06:01 PM

Most 120 Volt circuits are limited to 15 or 20 Amps, when terminated in receptacle outlets. What is your proposed use of these circuits?

erb · 10-07-2010, 06:05 PM

I'm only going to run ~10amps on each outlet. I have limited space in the main panel, so this is why I'm going with the one 50amp instead of 4 20amps.

I understand how to hook up the breaker with the 6/3 with ground wire...

On the other end with the 4 outlets is where I'm not sure...

jbfan · 10-07-2010, 06:08 PM

Code does not allow this.
You need a sub panel or 4 20 amp circuits!

erb · 10-07-2010, 06:18 PM

Hmmm, for some reason, I had thought I didn't have room. I do have room for 4 breakers. Awesome - I'll just go do that, thanks! lol

Speedy Petey · 10-07-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erb

Hmmm, for some reason, I had thought I didn't have room. I do have room for 4 breakers. Awesome - I'll just go do that, thanks! lol

I hope this is not a patronizing post and you are really going to do that.

Please listen to the others when they say you CANNOT have 15 or 20 amp receptacles on a 50A circuit. This is no joke.

Red Squirrel · 10-07-2010, 07:22 PM

As a rule of thumb, no outlet or wire should be capable of delivering more then it's rated for. You can't just hook up 4 outlets to a single 50 amp circuit even though you wont be pulling more then 15 amps per outlet. If something that is plugged in shorts out, it needs to be able to trip the breaker BEFORE it causes damage to the wiring, or the outlet itself.

darren · 10-07-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erb

I'm only going to run ~10amps on each outlet. I have limited space in the main panel, so this is why I'm going with the one 50amp instead of 4 20amps.

I understand how to hook up the breaker with the 6/3 with ground wire...

On the other end with the 4 outlets is where I'm not sure...

Please call an electrician and get this done right for the safety of you, your family, and future owners of your house.

If you think this is alright to do I would hate to see what else you have done to your electrical system in your house.

Your best option is to take that 6/3 to a subpanel and then run your 14/2 or 12/2 from there for the plugs.

darren · 10-07-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Squirrel

If something that is plugged in shorts out, it needs to be able to trip the breaker BEFORE it causes damage to the wiring, or the outlet itself.

Even if you hooked this up to a 100A breaker and something shorted the breaker would still trip, the rateing of the breaker has nothing to do with short circuit condition. You will see a rateing on the breaker for interupting current(10000 amps is a common number) that would be for short circuits. The rateing of the breaker is for overloads thus protecting your wire.

His setup would work fine(not safely) until he started pulling more then 15A on one of the wires then he would have a safety issue.

erb · 10-08-2010, 06:02 AM

My first idea was obviously stupid. Thank you all for the quick posts! Individual 20amp circuits is the way to go and my concerns have been addressed

secutanudu · 10-08-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erb

My first idea was obviously stupid. Thank you all for the quick posts! Individual 20amp circuits is the way to go and my concerns have been addressed

I am not trying to be offensive at all, just looking out for your safety - but I agree with Darren. If you even considered using a 50A circuit to power 5 standard outlets, you really don't have the knowledge to be working in your electrical panel. Call an electrician.

erb · 10-08-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secutanudu

I am not trying to be offensive at all, just looking out for your safety - but I agree with Darren. If you even considered using a 50A circuit to power 5 standard outlets, you really don't have the knowledge to be working in your electrical panel. Call an electrician.

You are correct (except for the fact that is was 4 outlets lol)!

Although, believe it or not, I know how to wire the 20amp circuits to the outlet and use the correct hardware up to code.
No worries.

moondawg · 10-08-2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erb

You are correct (except for the fact that is was 4 outlets lol)!

Although, believe it or not, I know how to wire the 20amp circuits to the outlet and use the correct hardware up to code.
No worries.

You know that every outlet does not need it's own breaker, right?

You can connect more than one outlet on a circuit.

Red Squirrel · 10-08-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren

Even if you hooked this up to a 100A breaker and something shorted the breaker would still trip, the rateing of the breaker has nothing to do with short circuit condition. You will see a rateing on the breaker for interupting current(10000 amps is a common number) that would be for short circuits. The rateing of the breaker is for overloads thus protecting your wire.

His setup would work fine(not safely) until he started pulling more then 15A on one of the wires then he would have a safety issue.

Hence why i said before it caused damage to wires.

If it did short out it would trip before it hits the point where it can melt. well to some extent anyway. Shorts are usually bad no matter what. But yeah you want an overload to trip the breaker before it overloads the wiring/outlets etc.

moondawg · 10-08-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Squirrel

Hence why i said before it caused damage to wires.

If it did short out it would trip before it hits the point where it can melt. well to some extent anyway. Shorts are usually bad no matter what. But yeah you want an overload to trip the breaker before it overloads the wiring/outlets etc.

I propose that he never would have gotten that far. We'd have another post saying: "The wire I have is WAY too big for the little holes on the backs of these outlets. I can't even use the side screws. HALP!"