I'm building a workshop at my house, sort of a big garage. Anyhow, when I talk to BGE, I want to know what I'm talking about. Currently, I have a 100amp breaker box in my home. I posted another thread here about the cost to upgrade the box. This thread is about how many amps I should be looking for.

Is a 200amp box good enough? Would I just run my shop off of a 50amp breaker from my main service panel?

What are the suggestions on how to power my shop? Common practices?

Thanks!


Oh, the shop will be a basic wood working shop. I'll have a window air conditioner - probably on its own breaker. I'll be heating it with a wood stove. Many receptacles to run tools like a planer, band saw, table saw, etc... As far as lighting, I will probably go with a low energy LED setup. Shop will likely be about 16'x30'.

 

The load will depend on the nameplate data of the shop equipment. BGE is going to want to see a load calculation on the application for any service increase.

Many times a 50 amp feeder to a project like yours is plenty.

 

Foe what? For a replacement for your main panel? If so, that's part of the answer to your other thread.

I would install a 60A breaker to feed a subpanel in the shop. You need to do a load calculation, as PCboss suggested.

See Sub Panel Diagrams.