[pugs]

I want to get dedicated AC lines, but I don't really know what I need.  Here's some of the questions I have so far.

1)  Do I want 20 amp outlets?
2)  If I get 20 amp outlets, do my power cables need to be rated for 20 amps?
3)  Do I want an isolated ground?
4)  Do I want 10 or 12 guage cable?

Anything else I need to know?

[bubba966]

1. Yes, I'd look for an IG8300 spec outlet.

2. No

3. A true isolated ground is very difficult (read as costly$$$$) to do in most cases and I'm not sure if it's up to code (I haven't run up against this particular situation at work as virtually no one cares about their electrical system quality). So I'd say no on the isolaetd ground for the circuit. But if the circuit you're installing will be properly grounded (as in having a ground wire properly hooked up at both the outlet & panel ends) I'd go ahead and get an isolated ground outlet.

4. 12 gauge is fine. You can run 10 gauge if you want to though it's more $ in both wire & labor.

5. You should try to keep the new circuit on the opposite phase of other things in the panel that create a lot of electrical noise. Fans, fridges, A/C, motors, etc.

[Bob Reynolds]

1) It doesn't hurt anything as long as the circuit breaker and wire is sized accordingly. A 15 amp plug will fit a 20 amp outlet, but not vice versa.

2) No, the important thing is that you don't create a fire hazard by under sizing the wire or over sizing the breaker.

3) Probably not. I would consider an isolation transformer (balanced possibly) large enough to supply your entire system. Look at Equi=Tech
http://www.equitech.com/products/products.html

4) Since labor will likely be the bulk of the cost, take a look at JPS Labs AC in-wall cable. Rated at 30A but flexible.
http://www.jpslabs.com/powercord.shtml#paciw

Hubble has a good reputation for outlets. I don't think an isolated ground outlet has any advantage unless you actually wire it correctly.

Finally, I would consider surge protection from ZeroSurge for that circuit.
http://www.zerosurge.com/

Good luck. I wish I could get that done.

-- Bob

[pugs]

Thanks, that's some good info.  If anyone knows of a good electrician in North San Diego County, please let me know.

[rotcoddam]

The price of copper has shot thru the roof recently.  I put in dedicated circuits a few years back using 10 gauge, but I'm not convinced it was worth the extra money, over 12 ga.  
       I buy wire regularly at electrical wholesale houses and homey depot and last week a 500' roll of 12 ga. thhn cost $71. For years it ranged from $20 to $30 for 500'. I was told today that it shot up again.  Over $100/500'. It's getting insane.

[bubba966]

Yup, copper's gotten spendy.

A couple of weeks ago a 250' roll of 12/2 Romex was $156. It's come down a little since then, but I think it's still around $125 or so for a 250' roll. 6 months ago it was about $30 for a 250' roll...

I think 10/2 is somewhere around $200 for a 250' roll. We don't buy that very often, so I've not seen a price on that as recently.

That's why I started taking home the scrap wire. I figure if the price of copper & Romex has shot up so insanely high then the price the scrapper's pay for copper must be pretty decent as well. And when I finally get enough scrap (IMO) to get off my ass & make the drive to the scrapper I should have a ton or two's worth of wire to sell. I'm guessing that might get me a couple $...

[rotcoddam]

Yeah, save any scrap copper for the metal recycler. Strip that insulation off if you have the energy. I use to strip #2 or bigger, but with these prices maybe #8 or bigger. Mo money for stripped! (tip: lay the wire out in the sun for easier stripping)

[bubba966]

Yeah, save any scrap copper for the metal recycler. Strip that insulation off if you have the energy. I use to strip #2 or bigger, but with these prices maybe #8 or bigger. Mo money for stripped! (tip: lay the wire out in the sun for easier stripping)

Yeah, I know there's different prices for bare/single insulated/double or heavy insulated wire.

I've been de-sheathing all of the scrap Romex unless it's the old cloth covered stuff. So I then get 1 bare wire out of the ground, and 2-4 single insulated wires depending on the wire type.

I'd been stripping 8ga & bigger stuff down to bare wire. But as I'm getting behind in my sorting/stripping/de-sheathing process I might limit that to 6ga & bigger stuff now unless the 8ga is long enough to make the payoff worth the hassle.

That 2/0 & 4/0 stuff I recently stripped bare was I'm sure worth the effort. Wish I could get ahold of more of that type of scrap.