Wiring a PM25

[WobblyHand]

My PM25 is finally in my basement. Found a good location, save for power. From what I understand, I need a 20 Amp circuit. I have a several locations for breakers in my electrical panel. So I just need to run 12-2 romex from the panel to a box? The run is about 25-30 feet. It would seem there needs to be at minimum of 4 outlets. 1 for the mill, 1 for the power feed, 1 for the DRO, and 1 for a light. (And 4 more outlets, just because there is never enough...) Is 12-2 ok for this use? Also, is it required to have a GFCI breaker for this use?

 

[Aukai]

If there are 20-30 amp GFCI breakers, to me basement, has the potential for water in an unforeseen incident. I maybe off base though.

 

[matthewsx]

I wouldn't use GCFI breakers unless I was forced to. If the basement gets wet deal with that before using any machinery down there.
12-2 should be fine.

Voltage Drop Tables

Voltage drop becomes important when the length of a run of wire or cable becomes very long. Usually this is not a problem in circuits within a house, but may become an issue when running wire to an outbuilding, well pump, etc.

www.cerrowire.com

But if it were me and it was only 25' I'd run 10-3 and break it out for two separate 120v circuits if I had two spaces in the panel. That way I'd be ready for a 240v run at the same location if/when I upgraded the machine.


JMHO,

John

 

[WobblyHand]

If there are 20-30 amp GFCI breakers, to me basement, has the potential for water in an unforeseen incident. I maybe off base though.

Not disagreeing with you at all. I wasn't sure if a PM25MV would run with a GFCI. I recall reading about an LMS mini-lathe that would not run on a GFCI. Using a GFCI is good, but the actual breakers are pricey. Arc Fault breakers are even pricier!

 

[DavidR8]

I’ve also heard there are issues running machines with speed controls on GFCI controlled outlets.
I’d run regular breakers and call it good.


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[WobblyHand]

If we have two weeks worth of rain it gets damp with a little water on the floor. I run a dehumidifier to make it more pleasant, otherwise it gets a little dank.

There is still space in the panel. Running 2 circuits or 1, is just about the same to me. It's funny, I just ripped out some armored range cord. That stuff was stiff! It was 1" OD. It had ancient insulation in it. Kind of scared me to have it around.

I also sent an email to PM about GFCI.

 

[ttabbal]

I'd run at least two 12AWG runs to the box. One for the mill, one for everything else.

I've been known to overkill wiring though... My 1 car garage size shop has 2x 220v 30A, 1x 220v 50A, and 6x 120v 20A with outlets every 6ft or so.

Lived in a place a while ago with cloth jacketed wiring, in use. Tube and ball in the walls, not connected. Thankfully my current place has up to date wiring.

 

[WobblyHand]

I still have some knob and tube left in the house. Internal walls mostly. Had all the external walls rewired when the house was insulated.

Stringing two runs of 12-2 seems like a good idea. That way the mill is on its own circuit.

 

[matthewsx]

I'd run at least two 12AWG runs to the box. One for the mill, one for everything else.

I've been known to overkill wiring though... My 1 car garage size shop has 2x 220v 30A, 1x 220v 50A, and 6x 120v 20A with outlets every 6ft or so.

Lived in a place a while ago with cloth jacketed wiring, in use. Tube and ball in the walls, not connected. Thankfully my current place has up to date wiring.

Two 12/3 runs will give you potential for a dedicated 240v and two 120v circuits. You would need at least 3 spaces in your panel, preferably 4 so you can have separate breakers for 120v, not duplex.

But, that's really just future proofing. A single 20 amp circuit should run what you have right now, it's just easier if you think ahead and 50' of 12/3 is only about $55 at Home Depot. All of us here know how machines tend to multiply once you get started in this hobby and just want you to be prepared

John

 

[DHarris]

make your wire 12/3 so you also have a good ground to the machine. if,in the future, something should go wrong, you don't want you machine to have the potential to "float"above ground - should you touch both the machine and something that is hard grounded.

just for added safety.