- Joined
- Dec 3, 2013
- Messages
- 1,844
I’ll start by qualifying that I am a general contractor with over 30 years of experience in home building and renovation. I’m well versed in household electrical so I’m good on means, methods, codes and safety.
In the spring of next year I’m having a local contractor insulate and drywall my new (to me) shop at our Oregon property. The shop is 28’ x 32’. It currently has a subpanel feed by a 60 amp breaker with #4 wire. There are 110v convenience outlets every 4’ around the perimeter walls about 4’ off the floor. These are divided on three separate 20 amp breakers.
I need to get the wiring sorted out before finishing the interior can begin and I’m waffling about the best way to proceed. My current plan is to run a feeder to another subpanel on the opposite side of the shop to feed the circuits on that side which would cut down the amount of wire needed to be run from one location.
All the 220v circuits would be surface run in conduit after the walls are finished. I just don’t know what the final equipment layout will be until we get up there full time in a few years so I think it is better to surface run.
The lighting wiring can be run in the walls but I’m debating whether to leave the 110v outlets in the walls or strip that out and run everything in conduit? I’m not a huge fan of surface run conduit but it makes the most sense to me for customization and expandability.
If anyone has been through something similar I would appreciate your thoughts.
As to lighting, for a shop of this size with a 12’ ceiling how many lights would you recommend? I like lots of light.
In the spring of next year I’m having a local contractor insulate and drywall my new (to me) shop at our Oregon property. The shop is 28’ x 32’. It currently has a subpanel feed by a 60 amp breaker with #4 wire. There are 110v convenience outlets every 4’ around the perimeter walls about 4’ off the floor. These are divided on three separate 20 amp breakers.
I need to get the wiring sorted out before finishing the interior can begin and I’m waffling about the best way to proceed. My current plan is to run a feeder to another subpanel on the opposite side of the shop to feed the circuits on that side which would cut down the amount of wire needed to be run from one location.
All the 220v circuits would be surface run in conduit after the walls are finished. I just don’t know what the final equipment layout will be until we get up there full time in a few years so I think it is better to surface run.
The lighting wiring can be run in the walls but I’m debating whether to leave the 110v outlets in the walls or strip that out and run everything in conduit? I’m not a huge fan of surface run conduit but it makes the most sense to me for customization and expandability.
If anyone has been through something similar I would appreciate your thoughts.
As to lighting, for a shop of this size with a 12’ ceiling how many lights would you recommend? I like lots of light.