Need Electrical Help
 

So I am working on some home upgrades and thought I had my electrical accounted for but after I pulled the cover off of my sub-panel I learned that the cover showed I had 5 spares but there is only room for 3 breakers. I had planned on adding a 220V circuit out of the panel but now have to go back to the main panel where I have a spot for a double that I had planned for future use. I will be out of space once this breaker is installed but have a need (want) for (2) 220V circuits for devices that will see very little use and never at the same time. So now to the question.

Is there a device/switch that I can utilize that will allow me to power 2 different devices on the same circuit without the possibility of mistakingly powering them both at once? I have searched and looked for obvious solutions but I am not sure I would know it if I were looking at it.

I have an electrician from work looking over my work and advising wire size and all of the particulars before he comes and makes the final install, I just haven’t bothered him with this yet, figured I would have the solution in place first. Thanks in advance for any advice you may add.

you want to intercept those circuits with a double pole/double throw switch. be sure to include the neutral.

Can you post a pic of sub panel w/o the cover?

I don't understand what you want. You want to put two 220V devices on one circuit?

What are the devices, and how many amps do they draw? You could possibly add a disconnect switch (shut-off) in front of each device, assuming the load of BOTH is less than the breaker size.

You could also put an extension cord on each device and install a 220V outlet. Then plug in whichever device you need.

Normally one would add a small electrical sub panel to do what you want with separate breakers for each. Simple and cheap.

Quad and or piggy back breakers make more room
 

If your panel is getting full, (no more breaker spaces), you can make room by using piggy back breakers, which have two breakers in a single panel space. This is very common and most panel manufacturers have them.

There are 240 volt versions of this "double" breaker often called "Quads" which may help.

Ask your electrician.
Chris

This. Course you have to remember to keep the switches off and less you are using one of the devices.

If he sizes the wire/subpanel/breakers appropriately, there is no worry or risk of turning them both on accidently. Need more info, which is why I suggested posting a pic of the panel.

Breakers are sized to protect the branch wire, not the load. For example, a 15 amp circuit can supply many outlets, and a person can plug in too many loads. The breaker will pop, but none of that is against 'code'

Same with a main panel. You could have a 200 amp service panel, add up the breakers in the panel and it could be 300, 400 or more total.

Or you can keep it real simple. Use one extension cord for these 2 devices. In a home shop that's hardly a nuisance. I do it frequently as I only have one 30 amp 240v circuit available in my garage, but 3 welders that can be used. Obviously I'm not going to use 2 welders at once.

Eventually that will be remedied with a new sub panel but I'm still only going to have one 50A plug for the trio of welders. Everything else is on 120v so I will have 3-4 new circuits for the appropriate requirements.

Ia m a bit confuse based on your posting. Maybe its time to bother your friend and get some advice? Piggy back is the way to go if there's room. If not, new sub panel maybe the answer. Like Zeke said, use a cord.

Panels are pretty inexpensive. It may be worth getting a loaded panel from home depot to replace what you have.
What manufacturer made the panels that you currently (get it?) have in place?
Your friend will probably appreciate being brought in early to give you good direction.

Two way transfer switch

Sorry for the delay w more information. So I think I figured it out. The loads would be an electric oven I promised my daughter I would put in the outdoor kitchen addition, the other would be a small wire feed welder I have promised myself. I assumed the welder would need a 3/8 wire because it was 220V however it does not require that much power. I can feed it w an existing 2/10 wire that I had already ran and this will be the only load on this circuit. As suggested I can utilize a double/piggy-back to free up 2 spaces in the main panel by combining a plug that only powers my sprinkler controller w another circuit. This will allow me a short run to the outdoor kitchen oven w about 15ft. of 3/8 w a dedicated circuit breaker for it as well.

As an aside I was hesitant to ask this question here because I really wasn’t sure what I was asking and I knew you guys would immediately know how to solve but would have 10 more questions that I wasn’t sure I could answer. I can hold my own in a lot of garage related topics but I am a moron when it comes to electrical because I am terrified of it. I appreciate the feedback. I now know that I love the idea of a double pole-double throw switch and I am trying to find a reason to use one. I’ll post pictures on the appropriate thread once I am a bit closer to being done w my project.

Ok good. Looks like you can free up a couple slots with the piggy backs. Don't be afraid of it. Shut off the main coming in and you are golden. You look great with curly hair btw.