eletrical outlet ?

[bisley45]

Have any of you put an electrical outlet in the floor of your shop ? I am in the process of building my wood shop and was thinking it would be very nice not tripping over power cords from my table saw and a few other machines that will not be moved. So let me know what you all think. Btw my floor is wood not cement thanks for any help...


Brian Milner

 

[n8n]

I'd prefer an overhead cord reel I think....

There are recessed floor mount receps if you want to go that route, look at the stuff used for e.g. stages etc.

 

[Gerald O]

It'll get full of dirt.

 

[bisley45]

Lol I was waiting on that.

 

[Falcon67]

For a static machine, you could use a twist lock and single outlet to minimize dirt infiltration. I'd personally use ceiling drops.

 

[Erampu]

You'll poke your eye out, kid.

I've seen floor outlets in school auditoriums and they all seem to be working when I've needed one.

 

[sourdough]

You'll poke your eye out, kid.

You guys are too funny!

 

[HOTFR8]

I have seen floor outlets even in concrete floors but I have to agree overhead ones are much easier to use.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Overhead !

 

[Norcal]

Have some in my shop, this is the backroom, 120 volt, duplex receptacle, & 20A, 240 volt Twistlock®.



Shop, same thing, 120 volt duplex, & Twistlock® receptacles & 240 volt Twistlock®.



Edit: These floorboxes have been there for 21 years & have had no issues with them, I do blow debris out of them when not in use.

 

[KenB]

I'll go with the consensus: Bad Idea. A floor receptacle will fill with everything: sawdust, dirt, metal filings and ANY liquid that spills in the shop... I predict you'll be much happier if you go with wall- or post-mounted receptacles.


Ken

 

[Stuart in MN]

The problem with a wood shop is all that sawdust that will filter down into a floor outlet. You may want to consider putting it on a short pedestal next to the power tool, but of course the problem with that is it pretty much locks the position of your tools into one spot.

Another thought, although it would be very expensive, is to use plugs and receptacles rated for use in a Class 2, Division 2 rated area - they're designed for use in dusty areas, so they have seals to prevent dust from getting into the energized parts.

 

[aandpdan]

Instead of in the floor, if you know exactly where you'll put it, mount an electrical box on a riser so that it is say 8-12" off the floor. Our local school does this in the wood shop for the stationary power tools. Overhead can get in the way at times.

 

[rkevins]

risers are the way I went, just plan out where you want the machine and stub up conduit in that location then mount to the machine

 

[James-W]

risers are the way I went, just plan out where you want the machine and stub up conduit in that location then mount to the machine

I agree, if you don't plan to move the saw then the conduit would be a great idea.

 

[mbatarga]

This works for me: I've got a 10" wide by 8" deep trough that runs about 18' from one wall of my shop to the middle of the room. My table saw is centered over the end of the trough which is covered with 3/4" plywood and painted to match the concrete floor sealer. In the trough I've got my dust collection pipe and several runs of armor cable for 120 and 220 V wiring. The trough solves both my power and dust collection issue with the saw in the middle of the room.

 

[bisley45]

This works for me: I've got a 10" wide by 8" deep trough that runs about 18' from one wall of my shop to the middle of the room. My table saw is centered over the end of the trough which is covered with 3/4" plywood and painted to match the concrete floor sealer. In the trough I've got my dust collection pipe and several runs of armor cable for 120 and 220 V wiring. The trough solves both my power and dust collection issue with the saw in the middle of the room.

would love to see a picture of that if you have one.

 

[mbatarga]

These are the pics I have available right now. Not the best, but I think you will get the idea. You can see my temporary hookup of the DC cyclone on the right edge of the second picture. I have since run some permanent ductwork and re-located the collector.