[TheForge] shop power

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 07:47:58 -0400
From: "Ron Childers" <ron at munlaw.net>
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Light bulbs and shop power
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Back on topic: The shop lights go very dim every time a friend turns on
a grinder in his shop which is over 100 feet from the house. The wiring
to the shop is fed from the house and there is no drop box. My guess is
the wire is too small to carry the load that far. If someone honks down
on the abrasive cut-off saw it trips a breaker in the house. It is an
electrician's nightmare that was there when he bought the house and so
far is only annoying, but does anyone know of this kind of situation
causing a fire? I think it needs heavier copper wire and a drop box.
Also, I don't know the amperage of the breaker. I used #6 and don't have
that situation.  I feel a bit uneasy about this but need to justify my
concerns before beating him up about it. Does anyone have some words of
wisdom? Thanx, Ron

----Reply----

It kind of depends on what he uses his shop for.  If it is just a hobby and 
he just spends time out there on occasion, he could probably put up with it. 
If he wants his shop to support a business, he should put the money into 
providing good power. When I built my shop I had them put in a drop/meter 
for it.  This not only protects the house from surges in the shop, it also 
makes it easy to claim the power used in the shop on my taxes.

On a similar note, we just got our first power bill since putting an AC unit 
in the house. It only added about $20 to cool the house during one of the 
worst heat waves ever (20 days in July over 100).  I was concerned, to say 
the least.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net