TS55 + CTL26 on a single 15 Amp circuit?

[GreenCheck]

I am thinking of purchasing a TS55 and a CTL26 extractor to use in my basement. Unfortunately, my space only has access to a single 15 amp circuit (120v). This circuit has a couple small LED lights (so, negligible) and a small chest freezer that can be unplugged during saw use (would hope to not have to, of course). The Festool site says both tools will use a maximum of 10 Amps, which of course exceeds the power available to me (which for safety reasons should be kept

 

[ChuckM]

I don't think it'll be a problem for you with the 15  amp outlet. Why do you need to keep the current to 12 amp or under? If the power consumption exceeds 15 amp by a good margin, the circuit breaker will kick in.

Before I installed two 20amp circuits in my shop (3 years ago), I had only one 15 amp that catered for: a freezer, garage opener, four regular as well as LED lights plus whatever woodworking tools when they were turned on, which could be one of these combos:

SawStop PCS + 1 HP dust collector
CT26 (sold) (now CT 15) or shop vac + any Festool tool such as the DF500, Kapex, etc. (TS75 now sold)
Bandsaw + shop vac
Drill press or sander + Shop vac.

Tripping did occur now and then when I ripped long lumber such as oak over 1" thick, and that was why I added two 20 amp outlets. I now use the PCS+1 shop vac+1 DC on one of the 20amp circuits.

That said, if you're into woodworking for the long haul and plan to add tools to meet your needs, consider adding a 20amp circuit or even better two to your shop. I did everything myself (after getting the necessary city permit), but hiring a qualified electrician to do it is worth the investment, too. My 220V circuit was done by an electrician. No tripping has ever happened since.

 

[GreenCheck]

Thank you, Chuck! This is exactly what I was looking for.

To answer your question about my 80% comment - I am by no means an expert, but my understanding is that US NEC (National Electric Code) stipulates that continuous draw on a circuit can be no more than 80% of its capacity. So a 15 amp/120v circuit can supply up to 15 amps for a short period but only 12 amps on a continuous basis. I could be completely off base with this, but that was the basis for my comment.

 

[squall_line]

Thank you, Chuck! This is exactly what I was looking for.

To answer your question about my 80% comment - I am by no means an expert, but my understanding is that US NEC (National Electric Code) stipulates that continuous draw on a circuit can be no more than 80% of its capacity. So a 15 amp/120v circuit can supply up to 15 amps for a short period but only 12 amps on a continuous basis. I could be completely off base with this, but that was the basis for my comment.

That is correct, but the max draw on each of the tools you mentioned is 10 amps, usually at startup.  There is a delay between the tool starting and the vac starting, so these should not coincide, and then you're looking at whatever the continuous draw is.

If they both start up at the same time as the compressor on the freezer, you might pop the breaker, but the continuous draw should probably be within spec.

 

[Coen]

Thank you, Chuck! This is exactly what I was looking for.

To answer your question about my 80% comment - I am by no means an expert, but my understanding is that US NEC (National Electric Code) stipulates that continuous draw on a circuit can be no more than 80% of its capacity. So a 15 amp/120v circuit can supply up to 15 amps for a short period but only 12 amps on a continuous basis. I could be completely off base with this, but that was the basis for my comment.

That is for things like solar panels, heatpumps, car chargers. So things that run hours and hours on end. Not for a saw that runs for a few minutes at a time.

Short term, the current draw can be enormously larger than the nominal rating of the circuit breaker.

 

[GreenCheck]

Thank you Coen and squall. Appreciate the knowledge that helps me understand why I'm probably concerned about something that doesn't need to occupy my attention. I think I'll go for the TS55 instead of a cordless option.

 

[cpw]

The Festool tools all have a soft start, which helps a bunch.  I can't recall blowing the circuit with only a track saw (TS75) plugged into the vacuum, but have rarely done so with a router.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would question that old post from 2007. Back then, it would have been a CT22, but similar enough to compare. Those were equipped with a specific 20a plug. Clearly, that was Festool's intent. There were people who "adapted" around it, so it obviously can work, it's just not ideal.
The CT's heaviest draw is on initial start-up, once it is running that drops. The saw's draw is dependent on you, to some degree anyway. The depth of cut, material being cut, condition of the blade, force applied by your hand, etc.
As Coen said, that draw is high for a few seconds, levels off, and you don't run it continuously for hours.
Will it work? sure....Ideal? no.
Having other loads on the same circuit is likely the biggest issue. Minimize that, if you can. Install a 20a circuit (or 2) as Chuck suggested, it will benefit you in the long run.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Crazy', Festool actually included the adapter with my CT22 (still going strong after all these years) so that it could be used with a 15 amp plug format as it's not unusual for the physical outlets on even a 20 amp circuit in a residential setting that's an older build.