Lighting & workbench?

[shade2u2]

I'm getting ready to run the wiring for my 24X32 (10'ceiling) barn/shop & also have some related questions. I have 100 amp service to the barn. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
For now, I thought of wiring 6 over head light fixtures (for 100 watt bulbs) with receptacles. I was going to plug 3 48" dual florecent lights (with pull chains) into 3 of the receptacles to hang over the future workbench area. Is it okay to run what I just described off 1 15 amp circuit? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Which is better... plastic or ceramic fixtures?
I was then going to run 10 outlets around the perimeter of the building off of another 15 amp circuit. How would that work? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I have a basic service box with 6 circuit slots with room to add flood lights, 220, etc later. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[shade2u2]

Also, metal or plastic?... electric boxes that is...? Whic would be better for an unheated barn/shop?

 

[sneaky_pete]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, metal or plastic?... electric boxes that is...? Whic would be better for an unheated barn/shop?)</font>

I just had a licensed electrician add some more outlets and switches to my shop, and he used all metal boxes and conduit. He didn't offer me a choice on plastic vs. metal. My shop is unheated, but not likely to get as cold as yours.

What is the advantage of plastic, cost? Seems like it ought to insulate just as well or better than metal.

Pete

 

[Inspector507]

Shade,
Put the outlets on a 20A breaker instead of the 15A. And put them on a GFCI.
Plastic or metal......?? Same as being asked plastic or paper at the grocery. Al in what you prefer.

 

[shade2u2]

Thanx for the info.
Why 20 amp instead of 15? I'm glad that you suggest 20 - I have 2 of them. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Do you mean GFCI breakers or GFCI outlet receptacles?

 

[DannyD]

I just built my pole barn this year.
I have a separate 100 amp service to the barn.
My wiring is this, one circuit for the lights with room for more. I use those twisted bulbs which are turned into the sockets that plug in to standard outlets. I can add more to this, currently have 2 outlets/ 4 plug ins on one circuit.
On outlets, I have 2 circuits, both with gfic outlets on the first outlet placement. (required by code).

I have a circuit for just the garage door opener, again a simple plug in.

I have another circuit for the side and front lights, which are motion detecting.

Another circuit for my small out building 220 split into 2 sides of the extension box to give me 2 legs of 110 each, lights and outlets only on this.

I have one more circiut 220 for my air compressor, which by the way has 1 inch pvc tubing around the barn with several outlets that I can connect air lines or tools to

 

[keeney]

RE: <font color="red"> " my air compressor, which by the way has 1 inch pvc tubing around the barn "</font>

I always thought running pressurized air (gases) through PVC was a safety no-no? Something about what happens to the pieces if it should accidentally get cracked or impacted while pressureized (can you say 120 PSI propelled blow-darts of sharp plastic shrapnel filling the room?

Or was it some other plastic I am thinking of?

- Rick

 

[imported_OWDouglas]

I not sure, but I think he means PVC air hose, it's rated at 400PSI.

 

[v8dave]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just had a licensed electrician add some more outlets and switches to my shop, and he used all metal boxes and conduit. He didn't offer me a choice on plastic vs. metal. My shop is unheated, but not likely to get as cold as yours.

What is the advantage of plastic, cost? Seems like it ought to insulate just as well or better than metal.

Pete )</font>
Pete, If your shop wiring is exposed, the electrician wired your shop to protect the wires in accordance with code. The conduit and metal boxes protect the wires from the damage we manage to inflict on the walls of our shops.

Plastic boxes are quicker for experienced electricians to install than metal boxes (i.e., cheaper). And, when covered by sheet rock or wood they are suitable for mounting/supporting/protecting receptacles and switches. When using plastic boxes, wall coverings are expected to be used to protect the wires.

 

[btolle]

Just to throw in a couple of items no one has mentioned.

I installed a retractable cord reel between the cars, right next to the garage door opener. I plugged it into the garage door opener outlet since I am not likely to be raising the door while using the cord reel. Really handy to have a 30' cord available in the middle of the garage. I put another one on the corner of the front porch by the driveway. I know the cheap ones are not rated for outdoor use but it is on a GFCI plug and I can replace it for $25 or $30 when it rusts/wears out. It's been there for about 4 years now and still works great.

After sweltering through a couple of hot summers I insulated the ceiling. The roof has exposed 2X6 rafters. Stapled the 6" insulation between the rafters and then ran 2' wide chicken wire perpendicular to the rafters and left a 2' gap between rows of chicken wire. Insulation will start falling after a few years without the chicken wire to hold it in place.

I was amazed at the difference the insulation made in both summer and winter. I used to be able to feel the heat coming through the roof in the summer and now it is often 2 degrees cooler in the garage than it is outside.

I put a ceiling fan in the center of the garage, above the joists. It circulates the air and keeps moisture from building up in the corners in the dead air space. I have it blowing up so the air hits the roof and then blows down into the corners.

Ditto on the fluorescent lights. My 28X32 garage has 10 4' fixtures + 2 over the workbench. I have one of those clip-on aluminum floodlights on the back wall behind the workbench with a 200 watt bulb in it in case I need a lot of light on something I am working on.

Don't forget to put in a plug for an air compressor. I put mine on it's own 20 amp circuit. The air compressor is the biggest load I have in the garage so I didn't want anything else on that circuit.

The rolling wire shelving from Sam's is about the same as the one from Costco. At $75 (?) it is about as cheap as the lumber to build shelving and you can move it around if you decide to rearrange the shop. The shelves are adjustable so I left extra space between 2 of them so I could put a tool chest and other tall items on that shelf. One other advantage of wire shelving is that it doesn't collect dust as bad as solid shelving.

Have fun with your new shop!

Bill Tolle