Re: Wiring a new shop

ed louie wrote:
....
The shop will be 30x30 with 10' ceilings, concrete floor. Power will
be from a 200 amp sub panel. One man workshop with no more than one
machine with exceptions, air compressor, DC, operating at a time.

A number of the machines, TS, BS, Jointer, DC, etc. will be 220.

1. Do each of these need its own dedicated circuit? How big 20 or 30
amp? Do all 220 machines operate at the same amperage or use the same
plug? I have heard mention of the different plugs but don't know the
difference.

If you're not using more than one at a time, then more than a couple circuits would be an absolute requirement. That said, I'd tend to over design rather than under -- it's relatively cheap extra material in the scheme of things and almost no extra labor at the same time.

Of course not...a 1hp motor doesn't draw what a 2hp motor does and certainly not everything has the same size motor.

If it's new, I'd go w/ 30A just on general principles of why limit yourself from the git-go...

Plugs are rated for current/voltage as well and prong styles are made to prevent plugging the wrong one in the wrong place.

Pick a standard outlet form factor that has the rating of the largest needed and match the cords to the outlets. The convenience of a consistent form factor in the long run far outweighs an initial conversion process imo.

2. With some of these machines situated in the middle of the floor how
would you get power to them? Extension cord, ceiling drop?

If at all possible, install a raised flooring system and run power and DC there. If not feasible, overhead drops. I'm assuming from the tone this is all relatively small stuff, not the 7.5hp planer a concurrent thread is discussing...

As for extension cords for stationary machines, no!, No!, and NO!

3. If an extension cord is used, would placing the 220 outlets at
floor level be appropriate? And placing the 110 outlets at >48"? Is
there a need for placing 220 higher than ground level?

Extension cords are for temporary use _only_ and shouldn't be necessary at all if you wire the shop adequately.

I run all handybox outlets at >48" in shop for convenience in reaching them when standing and so can occasionally do things like lean a 4x8 *** of *** goods against the wall w/o obstructing them. That's my personal preference and practice, if you have other reasons more overriding, go for it however you want.

In the bench areas, I make sure there are quad outlets at least every six feet. I place 220V on the basis of equipment and keep expansion in mind.

4. What size of extension cord, 12/3 or 10/3?

None...except for hand tools, and they can be 12.

5. Type of wiring. 12/3 or 10/3? Would you wire the 110 with the same?
Why?

Depends on the service...I'd go 30A for the 220 for sure, but I have stuff of the size that requires it. If you're smaller hobbyest type and don't have and don't foresee getting bigger, might get away w/ 20A service, but again, why scrimp?

20A for 110 hand tools, etc., is far less problematical, of course unless you have some sizable single-voltage motors that need more. I'd avoid them, but if you already have them and they aren't dual voltage you wouldn't want to be limited from the start...

If you haven't, do a google groups archive search -- there was a really good discussion of just this subject within the year for sure...

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