Definitely go 220-240.
There are many pretend electricians around here and you will hear all sorts of things which may even make sense or sound true but it is someone you don't know who has an interpretation of the way things should be.
The only type of person to trust is someone who isn't afraid to backup what they claim with facts, pictures, and easily verifiable information. Items which can be verified through multiple sources.
We are talking about something which can burn down your house or business. When someone claims to have a training gig, or they know something because of something someone else taught them, bah, ask for a reference, but better yet, ask an electrician who actually has a license.
There are also electrician forums where those guys hang out and are happy to answer questions with references to back them up.
Be wary of someone who in an argument continues to claim they are right because they have previous experience in that area. To me, that is akin to claiming I am a fireman because I lived through a fire. Not quite the same is it?
I've obviously said things that have rubbed people in this forum [Like yourself] the wrong way. I apologize to you and anyone else in this forum I have rubbed the wrong way. As for advice on ANYTHING technical in these forums: You, or anyone else, should be quite relieved not to hear anymore from me about anything "technical" from this day forward. I leave that to you "professionals."
I apologized to dancer191 in PM's, deleted previous posts of mine to keep from trashing up this forum.
Everyone have a good day and may the blocks be with you!
No need to apologize to me, I was not speaking specifically about any one person. Reading back I can see where it could be taken as such. I saw the 240 conversation and as you know that was one of the first things I did. I think people running 240 over 120 is right up there with exhaust and running at spec. I think you know we have both worked in different fields for decades and both are electrically based with many parts falling under the responsibility of an EE. Many times I am forced in that role due to various things.
The intention of my post was to stress how much each person must investigate each little thing for himself. They must have someone who can look at every circuit and make sure it is to spec. The NEC is there and code should always be followed except when the inspectors agree with something someone found which is an exception. There are many people who interpret things their way. I prefer to ask several people and you might remember me mentioning I have a friend who is a licensed electrician. He is a hardass. He isn't going to let me do anything shady "even though it would be OK" Oh he will say "Well, if that's the way you really want to do it..." "But, what I'd do is..."
I could not tell you what you and the other gentleman were debating at this moment. I had a few minutes to make a post this morning before leaving. I'd read some of the previous posts regarding a 220 / 240 circuit compared to 120 and wanted to chime in with my own opinion which in my mind at that moment had no bearing on one specific person. I am 100% serious regarding my previous post. People must be vigilant. Someone may see how happy we all are with our 240 and try to throw a breaker in, or someone tell them it is OK to throw the breaker in that wire will handle it, and they want to believe them so bad they do it.
I think some people are capable of following printed instructions and placing peg A in Slot B, but some people are not. I am confident everyone here has met someone who should not be plugging in a miner period. I want people to know the only thing they should do is have an electrician approve everything they do, or they should have an electrician do it and as notlist3d stated, they should ask a helluva lot of questions.
I also have no doubt there are plenty of people on this forum who know way more than most, have never been a licensed electrician, and from an understanding that is part talent, part experience, and maybe something shown to them a few times they understand how to create safe circuits. Unfortunately that does not mean it is code. The code is so screwed up in so many places, and the local good ol boy networks manipulate them as well if you do not have someone who knows their system sign off you may be asking for trouble.
I think if we took a poll we would find the people most qualified to hand out household circuit advice, or even laying out a full Main and sub with all circuits would not be so willing to do so, and be more of a mindset to tell someone to get their local electrician involved.
Maybe it is just me, but I seriously do think the electrical changes / work done by anyone who doesn't understand how power actually works and either knows the basic formulas or at least knows their meaning and where to look them up are people who are in need of onsite assistance.
Set aside the dangerous parts, losing your life, possibly killing many others, but in many, many places if you add a circuit without having an electrician OK everything and you have a fire because of what you added your insurance will tell you to kiss off. There are many of us capable of running circuits and calculating the load to the main or a sub to make sure we aren't exceeding it, yet that is the way. Where I live you must have a licensed electrician sign off on anything you do except change a wall outlet. You can't even add GFCI outlets without it, and while I think it is unfair for philosophical and political reasons (I think most would agree we have too much intervention from our governments and it is getting worse.) It is still a safer method.
It is anyone's choice on this forum to take matters into their own hands, just like it is anyone's choice anywhere. I do not feel as though we set a great example for many newbs. While it is their choice just like it is mine, I am also extremely safe, I usually get opinions from 4 or more people, I come up with what I think is not only the best current way, but plan for the future, and then take it all to an electrician. I have no doubt I would be fine to handle all of my electrical work, but that off-chance there is something I don't know about a particular breaker, I use the wrong box clamps or my main, or have a bone-headed moment I've had someone who knows the code, has the relationships with the local inspectors and utilities, along with being someone I've knows and trusted for many years.
I am recommending people truly do think safety first and error on the side of caution. I would also recommend people who do know and are familiar keep telling people it is to their advantage to have an electrician visit. It usually doesn't cost to get a quote, and I love what the guy did with Craig's list. Picking up a good electrician that way should be easy, but look at credentials and insurance.
One last thing, liability can be a very fine line. Telling someone something is safe to do and a year later they burn their house down, well obviously it was their decision, but I know how I would feel as a person, and in today's sue sue sue world you never know what someone could pull out of a judge. It is too risky. So I speculate.
I hope this helps clarify and qualify what my opinion is.
Regarding you dmwardjr I think you have some great knowledge in many areas and the boxes you designed and built obviously teach some of the very skills I mentioned in an excellent manner.
I do think if any of us are going to answer a question we should be thorough with safety first. It would be great if it was just another post, but there are serious ramifications with that information in the wrong hands. Along with that are disclaimers, I am not a licensed electrician, you should always confirm everything with a licensed electrician, and so on.
By the way, I am not a licensed electrician and there are a helluva lot more people on this forum and many others who know way more than I about electricity. That doesn't mean when I say I love 240 I haven't done the research as to why it is better, and I have done everything possible to learn more and more regarding inrush for all types of products, my local and national code in specific areas, and I always try to oversize but understand doing so to an extreme may cause you many other problems. So make sure you work with someone who is able to not only make you feel comfortable, but provide something to show you they know what they are talking about. It can't be a bunch of talk, it should be a license, or some other paper like being bonded / insured. If they back out of that then no dice.
Be safe with electrical, but gain the knowledge so there is not a need to be scared. You damn sure should be scared if you are skating on 25% of what you need to know, and you think you know 95%.
We do not know what we do not know in most situations, and that is where we may cause some of our biggest screwups.
When you look through life and line up all the bad things we usually start assigning those situations to others. My Dad ruined my childhood. My so and so did such and such, but when you stop to consider the one person you really should add to the lineup, you might find that person is the one who caused the most pain, embarrassment, or seriously messed up situations. There was only one person who was there for all of them, and while some aren't your fault, look at how many are, while being honest with yourself. You will come out the other side more energetic and have a new confidence once you learn it happens, it is ok, and now that you know it, you have a choice and the ability to correct the situation.
There is nothing wrong with being a little paranoid. There is nothing wrong with asking several people how to do something and picking through what you are told while prioritizing safety, and there is certainly nothing wrong with admitting you need some help. Always consider you may not know what you think you do. Getting the right person for the job will always be the least expensive and most safe. You have to break down before you build up. It doesn't matter who does it or for why, but like any addiction, you have to make up your mind to do it and for some that takes asking the right people for help.
I hope everyone has a great evening. DMwardJR you should have PMd me man, which I will PM you as soon as I can in a few. I have to buy a dress.
(No it isn't for me - all you sick minds out there
)
I would enjoy hearing how other people feel about safety being a concern. Maybe you disagree and do not think it is collectively our responsibility? I enjoy hearing other's thoughts, ideas, and values.
Roll Tide
