Need some advice!!!

[przemekmsu]

Hello,
I am about to start to build my 30'x36' pole barn style garage. I am in construction business so I am going to be doing all by my self. I am not much of an electrician but with help of some members here maybe I can tackle this project. Any advice would be greatly appriciate it!!!!!!!! Lets start from the start. What wires, outlets, boxes, etc????? Thanks

 

[Speedy Petey]

Lets start from the start. What wires, outlets, boxes, etc????? Thanks

This is quite a bit to ask.
Let's start with you. What is your level of expertise? If you have never done any electrical work this is a bit much of a project to start with.

 

[930dreamer]

I'd trade your construction experience with an electrician and go from there.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd trade your construction experience with an electrician and go from there.

Good suggestion !

I am an above average DIY electrician, but what I do NOT know about electrical codes can fill a volume !

For example, I was surprised that when my buddy rebuild his barn, that his local code required conduit ! I had also never heard of "cold weather" florescent fixtures until then.

One possibility, is to get and electrician to rough it in (sometime a rough electrical inspection is required; make certain he is not paid in full until that inspection is complete) and you can do the finish (pay you electrician a fee to do a final inspection per-inspection).

 

[pattenp]

First off... where in the world are you? That will make a difference with suggestions you may get.

 

[hh76]

Basic wiring is pretty easy to do, but designing the layout is not something that should be left to a bunch of strangers on the web.

First thing, figure out what and how many lights you want. Then do the same with switches, outlets, etc.

When you know what you want, how many, and where you want things, then you can start thinking about what wire.

 

[przemekmsu]

First off... where in the world are you? That will make a difference with suggestions you may get.

New Jersey

 

[green.bubbly]

See the following threads. Learn from my mistakes.


http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145249


http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104081

 

[pattenp]

Put in a minimum 100A subpanel. Have a minimum of 2 20A 125V circuits for outlets and 2 15A 125V circuits for lights. Wire 2 circuits for 2 250V 30A outlets and at least 1 50A 250V circuit for a 50A outlet. Use #14 for 15A, #12 for 20A. #10 for 30A and #6 for 50A.
Divide your lighting on multiple switches. Put in a couple 125V outlets overhead for cord reels and garage door openers. Place outlets 3' to 4' along work bench areas. This is just food for thought.

 

[przemekmsu]

Put in a minimum 100A subpanel. Have a minimum of 2 20A 125V circuits for outlets and 2 15A 125V circuits for lights. Wire 2 circuits for 2 250V 30A outlets and at least 1 50A 250V circuit for a 50A outlet. Use #14 for 15A, #12 for 20A. #10 for 30A and #6 for 50A.
Divide your lighting on multiple switches. Put in a couple 125V outlets overhead for cord reels and garage door openers. Place outlets 3' to 4' along work bench areas. This is just food for thought.

This is exactly the kind of help that I need!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

 

[KPSquared]

Don't put any of your lights on the same circuits as your plugs. That way if you pop a breaker, you'll still have light.

 

[larry_g]

Hello,
Lets start from the start. What wires, outlets, boxes, etc????? Thanks

You missed the starting point by a couple of steps. What do you plan to do in said building? Is it dry storage for you construction equipment, a workshop full of cabinet making tools. A fab shop for building hotrods? What heat do you plan to use? All this figures into what you need to supply the building with. Once all the power load is figured then you go with the layout. Where is the equipment that is going to be powered located? Is that equipment stationary or mobile? Do you plan to evolve the wiring as the shop grows or do you plan to install it all at once? Basic wire pulling is perty straightforward.
Me I planed to evolve the system as needed. There fore I built in access to the panel and have some 'chases' in the building that I can pull wires through easily when the time comes.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[przemekmsu]

You missed the starting point by a couple of steps. What do you plan to do in said building? Is it dry storage for you construction equipment, a workshop full of cabinet making tools. A fab shop for building hotrods? What heat do you plan to use? All this figures into what you need to supply the building with. Once all the power load is figured then you go with the layout. Where is the equipment that is going to be powered located? Is that equipment stationary or mobile? Do you plan to evolve the wiring as the shop grows or do you plan to install it all at once? Basic wire pulling is perty straightforward.
Me I planed to evolve the system as needed. There fore I built in access to the panel and have some 'chases' in the building that I can pull wires through easily when the time comes.

lg
no neat sig line

Thinking of making it a shop where I can restore a 1969 Camaro.