Re: In need of some direction/pointers
Tim,
It's kind of hard to tell how the garage panel is wired from the picture.
You need to check a couple of things.
I believe from your post that there is a 30 amp breaker in the house controlling this sub panel. You cannot change that breaker to a larger one without increasing the wire size going to the garage. See if you can read in the garage panel what the wire gauge is coming in. It should be 10ga. Regardless of the wire gauge, there are other considerations such as the garage distance from the house which can limit the load.
Normally a remote garage panel will have a master disconnect breaker to control all distribution breakers. This installation doesn't appear to have that. There are also 2 additional 15 amp breakers on this panel. My best estimate is that you will be limited to the existing 20 amp 240 VAC breaker already installed. You really need to have a qualified electrician look at this however.
20 amps will limit you to 4800 watts maximum in heating elements. Probably best to stay at 80% of that or 3480 watts. That would require a new branch circuit run with 12 ga wire and a 240 VAC 20 amp receptacle.
From the picture, these walls appear to be rather thin. For safety and to allow the oven to heat to the 400 degree range I think you will need to frame another sheet metal layer, either inside or outside with insulation between. Look at the oven calculator at the top of this forum. It will give you an idea of how effective 3480 watts will heat your oven.
Last edited by ed_denu; 11-06-2007 at 09:15 PM.
|