Running 220V out to the garage

[legion]

I'm a professional desk jockey and an amateur welder. My knowledge of electricity is limited.

I'm going to buy a GTAW machine that requires 220V @ 80 amps. The main breaker panel is in the house, but I have a sub-panel in the garage.

If I wanted a 220V socket out in the garage that could support the welding machine:

1) Would I have to have a new "line" run out from the main panel?
2) Could the work just be done at the sub-panel?
3) Is this something an electrician would have to see to determine?

I'm hiring an electrician to do the work no matter what, I'm just trying to get a heads up on what the required work will be.

[LarryM]

legion,

First look in sub-panel to see how many amps service it has going into it. Usually at top center breaker. Then add up the number of amps existing breakers in to sub. For example you may have two 20 amp breakers on 50 or 60 amp service. Which wouldn't be enough. If you have a 100 amps that only leaves 80 amps. Also check to see if there is any empty breaker slots, to see if you can add new circuits.

Good Luck,
Larry