15 amp vs 20 amp

[webzter]

I hope this is the right forum to ask this question. I am planning to wire in a dedicated circuit for my Mark V 500 using a circuit breaker and am a little confused on the proper amperage to use. In the manual it states that a 15 amp circuit is required but if you can use "wire and receptacles rated to handle 20 or 25 amp will give you an even bigger safety margin" and then in the next paragraph it says not to use a circuit breaker over 15 amp. I have purchased the matarial to wire in a 20 amp breaker but I don't want to proceed any further until I get this clarified. Any help would sure be appreciated.

[a1gutterman]

I hope this is the right forum to ask this question. I am planning to wire in a dedicated circuit for my Mark V 500 using a circuit breaker and am a little confused on the proper amperage to use. In the manual it states that a 15 amp circuit is required but if you can use "wire and receptacles rated to handle 20 or 25 amp will give you an even bigger safety margin" and then in the next paragraph it says not to use a circuit breaker over 15 amp. I have purchased the matarial to wire in a 20 amp breaker but I don't want to proceed any further until I get this clarified. Any help would sure be appreciated.Hi webzter,
The manual is a bit confusing. If you use 14 guage wire in your wall, you must KNOT exceed a 15 amp breaker. If you use 12 guage wire in your wall, you may use either a 15 amp or a 20 amp breaker. If you use 10 guage wire in your wall, you may use a 15 amp, 20 amp, or 30 amp breaker. I believe that your desired protection is with 12 guage wire and a 20 amp circuit breaker. If you are concerned about what the manual says, use 12 guage wire with a 15 amp breaker and upgrade to a 20 amp breaker if you have trouble. :) There is more discussion on this subject elsewhere on this forum.

[a1gutterman]

webzter, see post 5 of this thread to see what Nick has to say about ths subject: http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=1126&highlight=amps

[webzter]

Thanks Tim. That clears up my concern. I will proceed with the 20 amp breakera and #12 wire.

[dusty]

What Tim has recommended will work for you just fine and it will not get you into a conflict with any building inspector.

Just don't put a 30amp breaker in anything less that a 10 gauge run and don't put a 20amp breaker on a 14 gauge run.

Not only are these probable code violations, they are also good was to create fires where fires are not wanted.

I ran, trouble free, for many years on a 14gauge run and 15amp breakers. The only time I had trouble was when someone else was in the shop with me and tried to use additinal equipment simultaneously.

Oh, I did have to pay attention to where I plugged in the dust collector. If the DC was turned on while the Shopsmith was running it would kick the breaker if both were on the same service run.

Both run harmoneously on the same circuit if wired as recommended by Tim (12gauge run and 20a amp breaker).

[beeg]

Webzter

Just make sure you get a slow blow breaker. It's made for circuits that have a motor on it and can handle the start up surge.

[cowboyplus]

When sizing electrical delivery systems, one of the most overlooked specifications is the selection of the terminating receptacle.

Duplex receptacles tend to look alike, maybe just in different colors. Oh, not so. Receptacles have amperage ratings as well as the carriers and overload interruption devices.

A 20 amp circuit, especially in a dedicated equipment environment, needs to have a 20 amp terminal. Below is a photo of a 15 amp and a 20 amp receptacle. Notice the neutral slot in the 20 amp terminal is a “T” shape. The 20 amp receptacle has a more robust spring clamp for each plug spade making it capable of delivering a full 20 amps.

The appliance plug connector should be kept clean and lightly sanded, if tarnished, for efficient operation.

http://CowboyPlus.net/ShopSmithForum/Receptacles.jpg

.

[a1gutterman]

Cowboy is correct, and the SS manual also states it, as webzter posted: I hope this is the right forum to ask this question. I am planning to wire in a dedicated circuit for my Mark V 500 using a circuit breaker and am a little confused on the proper amperage to use. In the manual it states that a 15 amp circuit is required but if you can use "wire and receptacles rated to handle 20 or 25 amp will give you an even bigger safety margin" and then in the next paragraph it says not to use a circuit breaker over 15 amp. I have purchased the matarial to wire in a 20 amp breaker but I don't want to proceed any further until I get this clarified. Any help would sure be appreciated. and if you install a wall switch in this circuit, it too needs to be a 20 amp rated switch.