I need to run a 220v circuit for my new band saw. It requires single phase 220v 10 amp.
The manual says it draws 10 amps at maximum load but later says minimum circuit size 15amp.
Does this mean I should use 15 amp ganged breakers?

Can I use normal 20A romex to run this or do I need special cable from breaker to outlet?
The wiring diagram calls only for White, Black and Green wires though of course the Romex would not have green, just bare copper.
This will be a dedicated circuit. The manufacturer recommends a 6-15 plug so I figured I would go with that.
Can I use metal conduit to protect the line? The walls are already built so it would be hard to add a box inside the wall.

Thanks.

Are you sure its 220 volt single phase... and not actually 209v single phase. I assume you are in the USA or Canada. It matters particularly where electric motors are concerned.

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Originally Posted by smoothy

are you sure its 220 volt single phase...and not actually 209v single phase. I assume you are in the usa or canada. It matters particularly where electric motors are concerned.

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Usa. 220v.

It would be 240v to be specific. There is no "220" any more. Also, you will almost never see 208v in a residence.

Either 12/2 or 14/2 is fine, unless the circuit is long, like over 75'.
Use a 15a double pole breaker and the 6-15 receptacle mentioned.
You should remark the white wire to a hot color like black, red or blue. A Sharpie marker works best for this.

Without knowing your local code rules, I suspect that you are not allowed to run NM cable along the outside surface of the wall.

With that in mind, I would use emt conduit and use THHN type # 14 AWG or #12 AWG. 2 for the hot and one green for the ground.

As far as the wiring method, until you tell us the type of building, occupancy, etc. we cannot tell you with any confidence that Romex is acceptable.

Conduit will be acceptable in most, if not all locations, but Romex is restricted.

If this is in your home, and local codes, such as Chicago, do not require conduit, thenRomex should be fine.

If your in a commercial building, some will not allow Romex.

Too many variables to list other examples, so we need you to tell us where you would like to install this wiring.

Do yoursefl a favor, use a 6-20 receptacle. It can handle both 15 and 20 amp male plugs, where the 6-15 can only accept a 15 amp plug.

To go further, I would install a 20 amp breaker and #12 wire, with the 6-20 receptacle, to give you a full 20 amp circuit.

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Originally Posted by donf

Without knowing your local code rules, I suspect that you are not allowed to run NM cable along the outside surface of the wall.

With that in mind, I would use emt conduit and use THHN type # 14 AWG or #12 AWG. 2 for the hot and one green for the ground.

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Can the NM cable be run inside the metal conduit?

It is allowed, but not recommended for any distance.

We only do it if we need to sleeve the Romex for a couple of feet.

If you do pull Romex Cable through a conduit and distance over a few feet, the conduit will need to be sized properly, and you may be surprised how large a conduit would be needed.

A 1/2" EMT can handle 9- #12 THHN, per Code.

If you pulled a #12-2 plus ground thru conduit, without knowing the dimension of that cable right now, I suspect that at least a 3/4" conduit would be needed.

One cable can fill a conduit 53% of a conduit, and that will be by the largest dimension of the cable. Romex is flat, and could be about 0.5 in.

Without doing the calcs, you may need a 3/4 or even a 1 in conduit.

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Originally Posted by tkrussell

It is allowed, but not reccommended for any distance.

We only do it if we need to sleeve the Romex for a couple of feet.

If you do pull Romex Cable thru a conduit and distance over a few feet, the conduit will need to be sized properly, and you may be surprised how large a conduit would be needed.

A 1/2" EMT can handle 9- #12 THHN, per Code.

If you pulled a #12-2 plus ground thru conduit, without knowing the dimension of that cable right now, I suspect that at least a 3/4" conduit would be needed.

One cable can fill a conduit 53% of a conduit, and that will be by the largest dimension of the cable. Romex is flat, and could be about 0.5 in.

Without doing the calcs, you may need a 3/4 or even a 1 in conduit.

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This is for my workshop in the basement of my home in Massachusetts.
I was hoping to avoid buying a whole role of new wire for a short distance run. Total wire length less than 16' from box to outlet.
I would rather not run any wire outside of the wall exposed and would either wire inside the wall or in a metal conduit. I will most likely eventually need to run another 240v outlet elsewhere in the shop so I guess I should bite the bullet and buy the cable now.

If you installed conduit, you can buy #12 THHN wire, black, red and green by the foot, and not have almost an entire roll of cable left over.

I did end up wiring in the wall and not worrying about using conduit. Went with 20A breaker Romex and outlet and used 15A cable to wire the cord from the band saw since it is only rated at 10A draw.
Now I just need to learn how to use it.

Thanks for the help guys.
Happy Holidays.