This one's similar to IZ's sub-panel install, but a bit different...

I'm looking at putting a sub-panel in the garage. I don't need it to feed a hundred amps, just enough for a half-dozen or so outlets, and one single 220V outlet (compressor draws no more than 15A @ 110V or 7-8A @ 220V).

Now, I was thinking: I've got a 220V 50A dryer feed in the laundry room that shares a wall with the garage. Could I eliminate that dryer feed and use that 50A circuit to feed a small sub-panel (maybe 6-8 circuits) in the garage? I would need to extend the wires by maybe another 8-10 feet to get through the wall and up into the panel... how do I join them together? Can I use wire nuts on a 50A feed, or do I need to crimp them and shove them into some monstrous box in the basement ceiling?

Thanks, gang!

Is the dryer circuit 4 wire?

Is the dryer circuit 4 wire?

Good question... I'll have to look when I get home... Can it be just a 3-wire if it's running a 220V electric dryer? I would think that it would be, but I have no idea off-hand....

Yes, you can use the dryer circuit as a feeder for a sub-panel..

Just put a junction box there, and use the proper wire nuts.

however, you need 4 wires - a ground, 2 blacks (hot) (or 1 black, 1 red), and a white (neutral). remember, in the sub-panel, the ground is NOT tied to the neutral (white)

It is a 4-wire... Two blacks, one neutral, one ground. That's gonna save me 80' of wire right there!! :)

What kind of box can I make that junction in? That's gotta have some rather large openings to feed that wire through....

-Joe

It is a 4-wire... Two blacks, one neutral, one ground. That's gonna save me 80' of wire right there!! :)

What kind of box can I make that junction in? That's gotta have some rather large openings to feed that wire through....

-Joe

The logical and easiest to hook up would be a cut off switch,
possibly a 220v outlet and box to make the box useful.

What gauge are those wires?