Electrical – How to run a dock circuit and what size breaker will be needed

electricaloutdoor

I am running 10 gauge wire to my dock which will be about 100 ft from the disconnect box on the house to the dock. I will be providing electricity to a 1/2 hp hoist, which runs on 110, that will only run a few minutes at a time, a 75 watt light bulb, and a ceiling fan to be used occasionally. What size breaker do I need to use? I was told I could run 220 to the dock. If I do that will I have to have a breaker box on the dock to split into two separate 110 circuits? Florida location.

Best Answer

30 amp breaker. Full load current on the motor is about 10 amps, plus a couple more amps for the other stuff gives you a voltage drop of 2%, less than the allowed 3%, so you're OK. You can run 220 as 2 branch circuits with a shared neutral. It's not really 220 because you can't power 220v equipment, but the voltage between the hot legs of each circuit is indeed 220v. You don't need breakers at the dock for this configuration, but you will need 3 conductors plus ground and a handle tied tandem breaker at the house panel.

Every thing will run fine on one circuit, so there is no advantage except you get 2 circuits. The voltage to ground is the same either way, so there is no added efficiency for the extra voltage.