Wiring my shop

[my_dream_garage]

I've visited this forum multiple times as a guest to see suggestions and advice with regards to what other members have posted as it has related to my particular situation at the time and I have come across some really sage advice; so thank you in advance. I just became a member because I wanted to make a post and hopefully benefit from said sage advice.

I am in the process of building a barndominium style home. Basically it is a 35' x 120' rectangular building with 35' x 70' dedicated to living area and the other 35' x 50' will be my shop area (more like 35'x48' due to the wife changing layout). It also has a wraparound porch which is 12' wide along one 120' side and one 35' side. Also, it’s a 16’ eave and a 5:12 pitch which puts the peek at roughly 23’.

This is a plan that me and my wife have dreamed up, so it’s not something that the contractor can just let the electrician cut loose on like it was a spec home.

I have a very amateur background in electrical work, but it basically culminates in me wanting to have complete control over how everything is wired in the home….most importantly the shop area. I have a Rotary 9k lift, 2 Stage IR compressor, Lincoln 180HD Mig, Future Plasma (unk), along with several woodworking tools. I don’t ever expect any of the major equipment to be running at the same time (i.e., no welding while plasma cutting or lifting a car), but this part of the project is one where I want to try and get as much as possible right.

Attached is what I kind of envisioned for the layout of the whole project, but I mainly want your guys opinion on the shop area. Some of my questions are: Should I wire 1 gang plug outlets on both sides of the ceiling peek for high bay plug in lights, or if I should go with daisy chained led’s, or what other lighting sources I should I think about? Also, I want 120v 20A plugs every 8ft, but I don’t know if that is overkill, or underestimating. I am also concerned about my 240v plug layouts. I have a few 10ga 25ft extension cords for my welder and future plasma, so I’m not really sure where to place those outlets.

Please feel free to offer any other advice or constructive criticism about the rest of the layout.

 

[sberry]

Smaller house, bigger shop,,, ha Ok, just curious how one came to 35 ft wide? Depending on methods, the more square and wider the more efficient per sq ft. 2 cars wide in 30 ft is really cramped as it doesn't allow use of space along walls, the 35 is way better, 40 gives way more elbow room.
Whops, I see in progress already.
BTW,,, they are recepts, plugs are on the equipment. I really like the fact you already correctly call them 120/240.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, well maybe not so humble, but based on my experience I would determine where the the lighting and power will be needed, then wire the shop to fill those needs.

When you put the power in before you know where you want it; it won't be in the right places.

 

[my_dream_garage]

sberry...Our lot is a narrow but long oddly shaped 2ac tract so 35' wide was about max and still be able to drive on both sides of it if needed. Also, I had to promise my wife that the shop would not be bigger than the living area or trust me, I would have squeezed all the elbow room I can get.

nadogail...Thanks for the advice. I was really on the fence about wiring the shop myself, and I think you are right. I should wait until I have it setup how I want and see where the important plugs should be and where lighting is most needed then break out the conduit bender and get to work. I'll probably drop a double 120 and a single 240 plug right next to the box in order to get me up and running until I figure everything else out.

 

[sberry]

I might run some different layouts, Master bath, guest/public bath and share utility /laundry room with shop wall for a utility bathroom, mens urinal, laundry tub and can, doesn't need shower.
As for shop, plan for the hoist and the comp, the rest of it never works out like one thinks it will and you soon run out of running wall space. While all the outlets look good while its empty will find half of them covered, will find you need none in an area and a dozen in the next.
I have a corner way, none for 35 ft of running wall, all cabs and racks, another spot 22 outlets at one time but things change and I actually removed some as equipment, phones and radios became obsolete. I actually don't mind some power strips, so easy to reconfigure as needed and often rig it all plug up until I get the layout demands right.
Leave some means to tailor shop wire as you go. I moved/added a couple welder outlets not too long ago when I move some machines around. Its rare today as its all rather refined but when you start the "wish I done that" happens all the time.
Also,,, means for local lights, no need to turn it all on to walk to a bench for a screwdriver or even to work at bench for a few minutes. I have several switched outlets in ceiling ju8st for this reason and we use night lites from 13W cfl, a couple 3 or 4 burn 24/7 and we can walk any7where in the place without switching lights on.
I have one in my office and can get a coffee or sit down at puter without any switching, turn anything else in the whole place on only as needed, sometimes a lot if we are working over the whole place, some local. Local lights over benches, local over hoist area, local in each bay, none turns on whole building.

 

[sberry]

I'll probably drop a double 120 and a single 240 plug right next to the box in order to get me up and running until I figure everything else out.

This is a good start, buy some cheap 16 cords, some power strips and some lamps/cord fixtures.

 

[Toomanytools?]

sberry...

nadogail...Thanks for the advice. I was really on the fence about wiring the shop myself, and I think you are right. I should wait until I have it setup how I want and see where the important plugs should be and where lighting is most needed then break out the conduit bender and get to work. I'll probably drop a double 120 and a single 240 plug right next to the box in order to get me up and running until I figure everything else out.

A lot of guys are running 120v outlets every 6' some at 4' (overkill for most at 4'). Going from 8' on center to 6' on center adds 2 outlets on a 50' run. Some will do duplex outlets with different circuits for each side.
In your shop running separate power for your lift, compressor and welder a must.
Depending on your wood tools pro table saw needs 240v as does jointer. You mentioned bending conduit that gives you more flexibility to add or move outlets as needed. The way your drawing is looks like can lighting, that won't be enough. You can either run outlets for plug in fixtures or daisy chain for hard wired lights. You might consider another 240v on the wall with porch. Just take a honest look at what you have or plan to have, it won't be perfect but you can get close to the correct setup.