I'm adding an arc welder to my garage and plan to add an air compressor in the foreseeable future. Both of these devices are 240V devices.

Currently, there's space for one double-pole (240V) breaker in my breaker box.

Common 110V outlets are daisy chained one to the next to the next to the next. Can I do this with 240V outlets for the welder and compressor?

I do not imagine both would ever be on at the same time.

The only thing that kinda bothers me about this is that the welder requires a 50A breaker. Though I haven't purchased the compressor yet, I imagine it'll run on far fewer amps. (I'm looking at a 6 hp 60 gallon compressor.)

Is there anything wrong with putting the outlets (rather, outlet for the welder, direct wire the compressor) on the same 50A 240V circuit, as long as I don't turn 'em both on at the same time?

 

My guess is that you can't really do that, since 240V circuits are usually single purpose. But you may be able to replace 2 of your single breakers with tandem breakers (2 breakers into the size of one full breaker), and then you'll have 2 additional slots empty.

 

There are only a few exceptions where you can do that and a compressor is not one of them. The comp can come on automatically. I like the idea of freeing up some breaker space or adding a small 6 space sub panel.

 

Another issue regards the installation instructions for the compressor. Most likely the instructions specify the size breaker to be used; code requires that you follow the instructions exactly - if the instructions call for a 30A breaker, you must use a 30A breaker.

In your situation I would install a subpanel in the garage. This would free you of your breaker slot restrictions, you could add other circuits more easily (including 120V circuits), and you would have a disconnect close by for the hardwired compressor (particularly useful if your main panel is somewhere other than in your garage).

 

Cool. I wasn't sure if I could do this or not, looks like I can't.

I'll wire the welder on an isolated breaker and worry about wiring the comressor when I buy one.

Thanks, all!

 

I don't see anything wrong with multiple 240v recepts on one circuit unless a particular fixed load is expected to be more than a percentage of the circuit rating, see 210.21(B)2

 

There's nothing wrong as long as they have the same breaker and wire requirements -- not the case here.

 

Good point. I didn't read the entire post. You may not place a 50A welder and an air compressor (assumedly less than 50A breaker requirement) on the same circuit.