Contactor to switch dryer outlet line?

[Wacki]

Has anyone used a DPDT contactor to switch a 30a dryer line/feed to a separate 220 outlet for brewing??

My thought is that a small electrical box with a DPDT contactor (maybe connected to a power on switch like the key at theelectricbrewery) could switch whether my dryer is getting power or my outlet for brewing in the basement.

Could this work or am I missing something?

 

[augiedoggy]

Has anyone used a DPDT contactor to switch a 30a dryer line/feed to a separate 220 outlet for brewing??

My thought is that a small electrical box with a DPDT contactor (maybe connected to a power on switch like the key at theelectricbrewery) could switch whether my dryer is getting power or my outlet for brewing in the basement.

Could this work or am I missing something?

if its a double pole contactor yeah....or you could just not run your dryer while brewing?

 

[jCOSbrew]

How about a simple 30A 220V switch to enable/disable the brewing outlet. Just make sure you leave the dryer off while brewing. This should fit in a standard 2-gang box in the wall.

 

[Wacki]

I actually bought a 30a DPST switch from Home Depot for killing power to my element from my control panel, but I was looking for a cheap way to use that dryer line without running a sub panel, and I thought this would be a fail safe solution as I wouldn't be able to possibly overload the wire if I happened to run both brewery and dryer...and a contactor is essentially a DPDT switch anyway.

I'm just kind of surprised no one has brought this up as an alternative, and figured I must've missing something.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[augiedoggy]

I actually bought a 30a DPST switch from Home Depot for killing power to my element from my control panel, but I was looking for a cheap way to use that dryer line without running a sub panel, and I thought this would be a fail safe solution as I wouldn't be able to possibly overload the wire if I happened to run both brewery and dryer...and a contactor is essentially a DPDT switch anyway.

I'm just kind of surprised no one has brought this up as an alternative, and figured I must've missing something.

Thanks for the feedback!

I think most either unplug the dryer and use the outlet or just run a dedicated line off the breaker box rather than tapping into the dryer line.... either way you don't need a switch unless you don't trust yourself not to forget and do a load of laundry while your brewing..... Even then the breaker should just trip should you accidently use both at the same time...(if its the correct size for the wiring) that's what its there for.... just like if you run the coffee maker and toaster at the same time on one 15a outlet... not the end of the world and certainly not worth wiring in relays and switches over IMHO...
The breaker is the safety switch... that's what they do. They prevent circuit overloads.

 

[Wacki]

Ok, I'm seeing your point now. Essentially I could put as many "outlets" on that line as I want, it's not going to pull more than 30 amps or the breaker would trip. I trust myself to not run the dryer while brewing, but that's because I generally don't do the laundry but I wouldn't expect my wife to remember. I guess the contactor would be more of a way to avoid tripping the breaker should we forget...guaranteeing 30 amps to either brewery or dryer.

Thanks again for the input, I'm trying to figure out the best way to get a 220 outlet in my basement for brewing as I can't use the dryer outlet space. I would run a separate dedicated line but my panel is full...so I'm left either running a sub panel from the breaker spots where the dryer is, or tapping the existing dryer line for use.

 

[kenh]

Has anyone used a DPDT contactor to switch a 30a dryer line/feed to a separate 220 outlet for brewing??

My thought is that a small electrical box with a DPDT contactor (maybe connected to a power on switch like the key at theelectricbrewery) could switch whether my dryer is getting power or my outlet for brewing in the basement.

Could this work or am I missing something?

My brew stand is plugged into its own outlet but for someone who has to unplug his dryer to brew I think this is a great idea. It would not take to many cycles of plug swapping to wear out your dryer outlet.

 

[LordUlrich]

Ok, I'm seeing your point now. Essentially I could put as many "outlets" on that line as I want, it's not going to pull more than 30 amps or the breaker would trip. I trust myself to not run the dryer while brewing, but that's because I generally don't do the laundry but I wouldn't expect my wife to remember. I guess the contactor would be more of a way to avoid tripping the breaker should we forget...guaranteeing 30 amps to either brewery or dryer.

Thanks again for the input, I'm trying to figure out the best way to get a 220 outlet in my basement for brewing as I can't use the dryer outlet space. I would run a separate dedicated line but my panel is full...so I'm left either running a sub panel from the breaker spots where the dryer is, or tapping the existing dryer line for use.

They do make narrow breakers (I believe they are called tandem). You can fit 2 circuits in the space 1 standard breaker takes. Might be worth looking into.

I would also be careful about switching off the power to the dryer. Some newer dryers have computer controls which will forget the settings if they lose power (I am sure you wife would not be happy, my mother complains about her's every time the power goes out) Just an FYI, electrically it is OK.

 

[The10mmKid]

Has anyone used a DPDT contactor to switch a 30a dryer line/feed to a separate 220 outlet for brewing??

My thought is that a small electrical box with a DPDT contactor (maybe connected to a power on switch like the key at theelectricbrewery) could switch whether my dryer is getting power or my outlet for brewing in the basement.

Could this work or am I missing something?

You could use one of these:
http://www.hubbellcatalog.com/bryant/datasheet.asp?PN=3025BRN

With a little work, you can mount it on/near your panel and change the direction of the 30A

'da Kid

 

[kenh]

You could use one of these:
http://www.hubbellcatalog.com/bryant/datasheet.asp?PN=3025BRN

With a little work, you can mount it on/near your panel and change the direction of the 30A

'da Kid

Wow = $40.95 on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A3W41C/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I wonder what size box we'd need to stuff all those wires into?

 

[Wacki]

I would also be careful about switching off the power to the dryer. Some newer dryers have computer controls which will forget the settings if they lose power (I am sure you wife would not be happy, my mother complains about her's every time the power goes out) Just an FYI, electrically it is OK.

When you say electrically it is ok, are you referring to running two outlets of that existing dryer line? And then just not using the dryer when brewing?

 

[augiedoggy]

When you say electrically it is ok, are you referring to running two outlets of that existing dryer line? And then just not using the dryer when brewing?

If it wasn't you would have a breaker for each plug in your house!

Having power to two outlets or more is perfectly fine as long as your not running too many appliances off that power.... in many homes you can find a dozen live outlets on the same breaker. If someone was foolish and decided to run an electric griddle, microwave, toaster and coffee maker in their kitchen and they didn't have a new home with multiple lines and breakers in the kitchen it would just overload and blow the breaker... its not the end of the world and certainly not worth all the time, money and energy your considered just because there's that off chance someone may do laundry when your brewing.... if your really worried why not just unplug the dryer or make a note to put on the dryer saying "Don't use" while your brewing if you think your wife won't remember.

 

[The10mmKid]

Wow = $40.95 on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A3W41C/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I wonder what size box we'd need to stuff all those wires into?

A deep 4-square box with a 1/2" raised switch cover.

Depending on the panel and the layout, I'd mount the box right at the panel and feed the seven wires through a 3/4" knockout.

Use stranded wire.

'da Kid

 

[LordUlrich]

When you say electrically it is ok, are you referring to running two outlets of that existing dryer line? And then just not using the dryer when brewing?

Either running another plug on the same circuit and not using the dryer, or installing a switch of some type would work as well. Not sure about the code requirements though. I seem to recall there being some language about dedicated appliance circuits. I would verify with an expert before doing anything.

 

[kenh]

Either running another plug on the same circuit and not using the dryer, or installing a switch of some type would work as well. Not sure about the code requirements though. I seem to recall there being some language about dedicated appliance circuits. I would verify with an expert before doing anything.

I called my brother in-law about this and he stated that adding another outlet to your dryer circuit is breaking the NEC code. He said that there is a section in the code that deals specifically with dedicated circuits and that this is the reason my 120V window AC has a dedicated plug and breaker instead of being plugged into a standard wall outlet.

I asked about adding a switch like the Bryant 3025brn switch mentioned earlier. He said that he did not believe the switch broke the NEC code because no matter which way you flip the switch the circuit is still dedicated to one appliance, it's just dedicated to the one the switch is set to. But he has to do some studying to be sure. He mentioned that by NEC code the box has to be at least 22.5 cu in for #10 three wire cables and at least 30 cu in for #10 four wire cables because you don't count grounds. If that's the case then a deep 4X4 box will work fine. I wish I had known this before I had him run a separate circuit for me.

 

[Wacki]

Thanks for the input about the NEC code, although Auggies input makes sense, dedicated lines like that seem like they would have different requirements...I'll have to research further if a switch would violate code.

 

[kenh]

I brought this up again with my brother in-law and he said he could not find anything in the NEC to disallow the switch.

He asked his boss who has been in the business for 40 years and his boss said to put the switch in a electrical box, plug the box into the original dryer outlet and then plug the dryer and brew stand into outlets wired into the box. He stated that for sure doing it this way will not break code because the house wiring is still running to a single outlet.

His boss also said that for sure, just adding a second outlet to your dryer line breaks NEC code.

 

[Wacki]

I brought this up again with my brother in-law and he said he could not find anything in the NEC to disallow the switch.

He asked his boss who has been in the business for 40 years and his boss said to put the switch in a electrical box, plug the box into the original dryer outlet and then plug the dryer and brew stand into outlets wired into the box. He stated that for sure doing it this way will not break code because the house wiring is still running to a single outlet.

His boss also said that for sure, just adding a second outlet to your dryer line breaks NEC code.

Awesome, thanks for following up. It really doesnt make sense for me to have two outlets where my dryer is, as there isn't enough room to brew there. But it also sounds like it might be ok to have a dpdt switch on that line, ill look into it further, but that sounds like a decent option for me.

Thanks again for everyones input!!