Adding 220 Volt Outlets to the Garage

Needing to run larger tools in your garage, but do not have the power to do so? No need to worry. Watch this 5 minute video to see how you can change that!

For a written tutorial check out my blog at

Things I Used in This Project:

[songsfromnowhereproject]

Hey! Generally speaking, really solid job. At the end, you asked for feedback on things that weren't right/would have been done differently. There were basically 3 different things that were code violations. They are small, but I will mention them in response to the specific request for feedback at the end of the video.

1. The THHN is free aired the 2 inches or so through the wall above the panel, and goes through the knockout with no bushing (ie, the sharp edge of the panel could potentially cut the wire). The pipe should have run all the way to the panel and connected to it with the same kind of connector used to connect to the metal box you used for the splice. I don't think it would have been possible with the way you had the LB, so it would have had to be set up differently, maybe with 2 45s to get the pipe into the wall and hit the top of the panel. It would have made it more dangerous to pull the wire too (metal fish tape into a live panel is a bad idea)There's a couple other ways it could have been solved too, but running THHN through the wall not in a pipe is not something you are supposed to do.

2. The metal junction box in the center should have been bonded, ie, a green wire should have been attached to the metal box with a green screw and then spliced in with the other green wires. This would be so if that splice came apart and the wire hit the metal box, it would provide a path for current back to the panel so the breaker would trip instead of the outside of the box being live and potentially able to shock someone who touches it. You wouldn't have had to do this if you had used a plastic box here, or if you'd used metal pipe (because then the pipe would provide the path back)

3. This one is comparatively tiny, but white wire is only supposed to be used for neutrals. For 220, it should have been 2 colored wires and a ground, ie 2 black wires and a green, a black a red a green, etc. You could have also marked the white wires black in each box with a sharpie, tape, whatever. Unlike the others, this is a safety method only as a form of communication to anyone else working on it, the electrons don't care how it's marked. but it is a code violation.

4. Other than those, I might have used a 4 square box for the junction to leave more space for the splice, but that's not as big of a deal. That's it.

Your pipe run was really solid though, and your work looked fine in the panel and on the plugs. So again, nice job.

[gwynja]

I love the humility and positive attitude. April just tackles the job and makes it look awesome then says if I did it wrong let me know. That really shows her heart for teaching.

[statracing]

An Alternative to a fish tape is to run a string through while running the conduit. If you forget then use a shop vac to suck a string through. A small piece of rag tied to the end of the string will help the air carry the string through. I have pulled small lightweight string over 100' with the shop vac method. Great work, Like a Pro!!!

[CharlesBurnsPrime]

Your instructions are truly above par. This video feels like it is edited almost perfectly -- not long and drawn out, yet not so terse as to reduce clarity. The camera angles and distance get the information across effectively. Your tone is confident yet devoid of arrogance. I cannot think of a better do-it-yourself educational video. Excellence.

[AprilWilkerson]

And let the comments begin. Ha. Ok a few notes from me: I am comfortable tackling this job myself and did lots of reading and asking around before starting it. It also isn't my first time doing electrical work. Depending on your knowledge level of electricity you might consider hiring the job out and then regardless of your knowledge level, have an inspector check over your work.

Something I didn't show in the video just because of time sake: Before energizing the circuit I went through with my meter and check continuity between each one of the legs to make sure there wasn't a short.

For those who don't know the acronyms: EMT is metal conduit. NEC is the National Electrical Code.

There was a big discussion about needing a red wire instead of a white. This is something that was brought up on Instagram while I was doing the project and the take away was if the intended load is 220/240v then two hots and a ground are sufficient. If there was something like an onboard clock or additional function (like an electric stove or dryer has) that requires 110/120v then an additional wire for neutral would be required. However, since I used white I did mark it with a red marker at the breaker so anybody looking in the panel will know that it's being used as hot.

[AverageCitizen]

I love that you post these videos. I often watch them with my 2 year old daughter just so she can see a woman working around this kinda stuff instead of just men. Not to be that person that hops on a bandwagon about equal rights but there's a big difference between telling her she can do anything and showing her a women that's doing it all perfectly. Thanks again April!

[Jerry-zfcn]

Great video! Organized, logical, clearly recorded and narrated, no excessive babble. I wish more instructional videos were like this.

[javiergiraldez]

Just a detail in your outlets boxes. If you are using white wire to run a phase for it, you must mark the wire with black tape. That notify next electrician that is not a neutral wire. Or replace it for a red color wire. In the panel same condition, that white wire should be marked. For all the rest, excellent work.

[TheMoomba]

Hi April. I know you completed this task quite some time ago but I'm now ready to wire in a 220v outlet for my welder. I was so impressed with your work, I knew right where to go for instructions. Thanks for sharing.

[sparkman]

I have been an electrician for over 25 years and she also stated that she spoke to a few people before tackling this project. So maybe, just maybe All of the comments should be thought thru before being spouted in the comments. It s her shop and she is able to do as she ikes in said shop. Or better yet #youshould do what you do in your area and let others do what they do in theirs. Great video April YOU are an inspiration to me and got me back in the shop making wood glitter again

[leeandjananderson]

Hi April, Recent subscriber here. I've been a master electrician for 35 years or so. I think the issue with running cord in conduit is that you then need to derate the ampacity of the cord due to heat buildup. Also, when you run individual wires in conduit you need to complete the run all the way into the panel. Looks like you stopped at the LB on the wall above the panel. Nice job. Great videos. Gives me ideas for what to do with my shop. Thanks.

[rupe]

Thoughts for future projects.... Cut the sheetrock to the ceiling and run the conduit in the wall so you have a clean entrance into the panel and a 90 degree bend up top. Since this a garage the wall coverings might need to be fire rated, meaning fire code sheetrock or a piece of metal, so that's what you cover the hole with, not wood. Thinking a bit further, if the conduit to the ceiling was run extra large (or several pieces) to a large junction box, then any future expansion of additional circuits could be brought up top without opening the wall again. Tip for other novices: An LB may not have any splices and they are only for pull points. You must have a box or an LB every 360 degrees. Basically you use 3 elbows and the 4th must be a box or LB.

[SouthernGinger]

Hehe, I just ran 220v for my CNC but I didn't want to show anyone because I know the comments would come in.. lol. Good on you for tackling it yourself!

[dc]

I'm an industrial electrician and you did everything rather well. The only thing I would do differently would be make the end of your fish tape a little smaller and tape over it after you add the wire. In doing so, this will lessen the risk of the fish tape hanging up while preforming the pull.
Nice job.

[Jamalyssia]

Wow two years ago this was posted and I just saw it. First DAMMM YOUR GOOD. Second you’re an inspiration! Third lots of man can learn from you. I’m a diy and I can take tips from you any day

[robertwooten]

You rock, I love seeing women doing this type of work with confidence.

[dennisranck]

As always, these videos from April are pretty awesome. I will say this, I do not know if anyone else has mentioned this. She totally landed the wire inside the panel like I would expect a woodworker to. By simply cutting out the sheetrock and fabricating a makeshift panel.

[Grunt]

We are really fortunate to have April.She is easy to listen to, humble enough for suggestions and comments.I have always learned something from watching her videos

[Irishcream]

We need more women like you in the trade industries. Unfortunately they are far and few between. Great work, and thanks for the video!

[Bow]

The reason you can’t run a sleeved wire like SO or SER or Romex is all about the temperature. Good job. And also remember to never run a fish tape into a panel.