Existing Dryer Outlet

[rob6239]

I've read through the past few years worth of posts regarding dryer outlets and re-utilizing them but I haven't found any discussions that directly addressed my situation...

Ok, I have a 40 amp breaker servicing my dryer in my basement. I know others have asked - the dryer outlet has 4-wire including a ground.

The "room" I am setting up my brew gear in is in the next room and in our old basement the walls are just cheap wood panelling (pretty easy to penetrate).

Initially I was going to locate the dryer vent on the opposite side of the wall and access the receptacle box wiring and just run an additional outlet into my "brew room" and just ensure that I didn't use the dryer or brew gear at the same time or I'd be tripping the breaker. Although I read on, and it appears that adding a second outlet on that circuit isn't a good idea?

My second choice then would be to use something from the brew room to plug into the dryer vent and then plug my panel into that. I saw many folks use a spa panel for example. Maybe that would suit my needs and provide GFCI protection at the same time.

I am building my system lower end with plans to slowly upgrade over the years. Initially I have a 3-pid panel but with two elements with aim to installing a herms eventually.

My questions are:

- Are either of the outlet scenarios possible (spa panel vs. new outlet on existing circuit) ?
- The dryer is on a 40A breaker and I had understood I wanted to wire everything up for 30A. Does that issue there kill my whole idea?
- "if" I install a second outlet on existing circuit how else could I work in GFCI protection?

 

[jeffmeh]

I would say no to an additional outlet on that circuit, as it should be a dedicated circuit for your dryer.

A spa panel plugged into the existing dryer outlet will work and give you gfci. Most likely the spa panel would be 50a or more, so your main 40a breaker would be protecting your wiring. So you would need to build your panel with wiring and components rated for 40a, or incorporate a 30a breaker or fuse in the panel to step down to 30a rated wiring and components.

Also, you mentioned the dryer vent. You're not planning on using that for brewery ventilation are you? Not recommended.

Best of luck with your build. Ask many questions.

 

[Hello]

^ take his advice. The spa panel is the very best bet for GFCI protection.
About the dryer vent, I saw a thread on some random site where the guy pulled double duty on the vent. He put in a T of sorts and used something that cut off the air from the dryer and allowed it to come from his vent fan. That is a terrible idea. When asked if he had the vent cleaned first because lint collects in that hose quite quickly and can result in fire, he said no, the condensation the vent picked up would help "wash" the hose and vent. Nope. People jumped on that terrible theory fast. I'll try to find the thread, it's more comical than anything.

 

[rob6239]

I kick myself every time I say "dryer vent".... no idea why I keep saying -vent- but I mean to refer to the dryer outlet... I found myself repeating it again in person this morning talking about plugging electrical panel into my dryer vent and they had no idea what I was talking about

 

[itsnotrequired]

if you really want to sound savvy, call it a 'dryer receptacle':fro:

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

I kick myself every time I say "dryer vent".... no idea why I keep saying -vent- but I mean to refer to the dryer outlet... I found myself repeating it again in person this morning talking about plugging electrical panel into my dryer vent and they had no idea what I was talking about

Too bad you couldn't just run a 4 wire extension cord through the wall and plug it into the same outlet.

 

[rob6239]

Too bad you couldn't just run a 4 wire extension cord through the wall and plug it into the same outlet.

That's what initially got me thinking - why an extension cord.. why not just tap right into the receptacle box and hard-wire from in there....

But that brings me back full circle to my starting point again. Plus I still need to factor in GFCI somewhere..

 

[dyqik]

Do check on the price of a GFCI breaker for your panel. A 30A GFCI BR breaker for my panel turns out to be almost exactly the same price shipped as a spa panel - $73 on Amazon. I doubt yours will work out that way, but do check.

Oh, and do you need a 40A breaker for your dryer? If it only needs 30A, you may just be able to swap to a possibly more common and cheaper 30A GFCI breaker. Just remember to keep the 40A breaker to put back if the brewery moves.

 

[jeffmeh]

I would consider punching through that wall and just running an extension cord through it. You could even use wall plates to make it look more finished. Add strain reliefs and it would be pretty secure. If you use a spa panel, it could go in either room.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

That's what initially got me thinking - why an extension cord.. why not just tap right into the receptacle box and hard-wire from in there....

But that brings me back full circle to my starting point again. Plus I still need to factor in GFCI somewhere..

For 30-50amp circuits you'll need to have a GFCI breaker installed in the box. Although I went that route myself, I had the option of having my controller wired to use either a 3 wire standard plug end or 4 wire GFCI plug end.

 

[jeffmeh]

That's what initially got me thinking - why an extension cord.. why not just tap right into the receptacle box and hard-wire from in there....

But that brings me back full circle to my starting point again. Plus I still need to factor in GFCI somewhere..

If what you are suggesting is to go into the receptacle box and wire in series to another receptacle box, I cannot imagine that not being a code violation. Unplug your dryer and plug in your spa panel gfci. Much better approach.

 

[BrunDog]

Not to mention possibly unsafe.

 

[Bobby_M]

For 30-50amp circuits you'll need to have a GFCI breaker installed in the box. Although I went that route myself, I had the option of having my controller wired to use either a 3 wire standard plug end or 4 wire GFCI plug end.

Except you can wire in a spa panel inline somewhere that has a GFCI breaker in it also.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

Except you can wire in a spa panel inline somewhere that has a GFCI breaker in it also.

I'm sure that you could, check with your local electrical inspector to make sure what the codes in your area are though. In my area sub-panels are not allowed and certain electrical devices can only be plugged into a dedicated line, microwave ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers, garage door openers, etc....

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

FWIW I run a 25 ft 10G extention cord from my dryer outlet to my brew area and it works great. I bought a 6 ft dryer cord from HD.Plug that into the dryer outlet,the other side into the spa panel.The extention cord comes out of the spa panel to brew area.At the end of the brew day I just roll up the cord and hang it on the wall.Easy and effective

 

[itsnotrequired]

I'm sure that you could, check with your local electrical inspector to make sure what the codes in your area are though. In my area sub-panels are not allowed and certain electrical devices can only be plugged into a dedicated line, microwave ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers, garage door openers, etc....

that's crazy...