The breaker should be sized to the wire & the 80% rule applies to that combination.
For example, a 20A breaker may be used with #12 wire & the combined continuous load for all the receptacles on that circuit should not exceed 16A. A 15A breaker may be used with #14 wire & a continuous load of 12A. Never use a breaker bigger than that recommended for the wire size in question.
Edited after a little more research.
Trying to put in a dedicated 220v circuit to run 6 Gavita 1ks, will be using the Gavita controller to turn the lamps on and off, so basically just need a safe clean wired circuit that I can plug 6 Gavitas into.
So far, I think I will use 3x, 20 amp duplex 220v outlets. With a 60 amp breaker for the circuit. Just trying to figure out what is the safest cleanest way to wire it all together. Open to suggestions, at the moment I am thinking either a junction box where I can pigtail the 3 outlets off the main wire (seems like a lot of pig tailing of thick wire), or find some sort of lug center where I can use 3x 20 amp breakers. The second sounds safer, just have to find one the right one.
After thinking it over a bit more, the Lug center seems a lot cleaner/safer. I think the pig tailing would be sloppy. Just need to find the right lug center. Also if it is safe to install a lug center in the ceiling. The outlets will be in the ceiling, the lug center would not "have" to be in the ceiling, but it might make things a bit simpler for me. Also need to decide between using an indoor lug center hard wired, or using an outdoor lug center with a plug, and metal conduit connecting the outlets (like the older timer boards minus the timer and relays).
Any input is appreciated.
Mr^^
Appreciate the response Rives, helps a lot to get some good information and bounce around ideas.
The main breaker kit would be a nice addition, thanks. Guess if I got a lug center with the space for 8 breakers, I could use 2 slots on a main breaker, 3x 2 slot 20 amp breakers, for each duplex.
Really the outlets in the ceiling was just cosmetic, I could surely just tie the cords up neatly along the ceiling and down a wall to the outlets.
I am leaning towards the outdoor style. Nice to be able to just unplug it and remove it from the wall, leaving behind only a single outlet. Hard to say how long I will use the room, and if I tear it down I don't really need all the extra outlets and wiring in the wall.
So this is what I am thinking now. Please let me know if something sounds poorly designed.
Garage has a sub-panel already. I will add a single 50 amp dual pole breaker into the subpanel, run 6-3 mmb to a single 50 amp outlet, not a very long run maybe 15'.
Wire a 50 amp range cord into a outdoor lug center. 1x 50 amp main breaker. 3x 20 amp breakers. Using conduit and 10 awg thhn, add 3x duplex 20a outlets/w boxs.
Then I can just plug and play the lug center as needed... hopefully
Thanks,
Mr^^
Rives,
I just want to say that you are a huge asset to this site. I wonder how much property, and how many lives you've saved. Thanks. -granger
Agreed, thanks Rives.
I did notice there was a commercial and industrial graded outlets. Will try to get the best ones with the screws. Also think the 12 awg sounds better, need all the connections really secure or I won't sleep at night, trying to get an oversized wire to fit snugly doesn't sound ideal.
Thanks,
Mr^^
I AGREE WITH THIS POSTRives,
I just want to say that you are a huge asset to this site. I wonder how much property, and how many lives you've saved. Thanks. -granger