Advice on receptacle placement. (new construction)

[sk8louisville]

Hey guys, I wanted to get some input/ideas from you all. The electrician will be here later this week to start on my shop. It's 32w x 24d. Left wall has 2 windows and a man door, back wall and right walls don't have any.

My workarea will be in the back right corner. I'm trying to think how many outlets I'll need and at what height. I'd like them to be above the typical workbench height but not sure if that's a code thing or not?

I was thinking 2 on the left and back, then 4 or so around the workarea? Along with 1 220 drop for my welder.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, etc. Thanks!

 

[MFolks]

Go with the local code for wall outlets and then buy a long,multi outlet strip mounted below the top facing you on the workbench,this will keep the cord out of the work area. I built a 6 ft workbench with a 2" over hang top, with my power strip right at hand.

 

[sk8louisville]

Ah. Good idea. Thanks.

 

[OptionalStop]

It's a good idea to mount the outlets just high enough to clear a 4' sheet of plywood/drywall so you can store them without covering the outlet.

 

[slow]

I would want 2 circuits near my work bench, that way if you run a large device, you never have to worry about tripping a breaker if 2 tools are in use.

Also if you plan on a refrigerator, I like to use a dedicated circuit for this, OR have it on its own GFCI, so you don't have to worry about another circuit tripping the gfci for the fridge. (I had christmas lights trip my outside gfci, that also powered my garage fridge, so I am paranoid about this after it tripped)

 

[gunguy]

You didn't mention it, so I'll ask; any vehicle doors? If so you'll want outlets in the ceiling for openers.

As best you can, lay out your shop on paper with the placement of benches, power tools, i.e. table saw, drill press, compressor, welder, etc., etc., etc. then locate outlets accordingly. If the shop isn't going to be air conditioned, maybe some outlets high on the wall(s) to mount an oscillating fan or two. Maybe some additional outlets in the ceiling for drop cords/lights to minimize cords on the floor which are trip hazards.

Try to plan in some flexibility. It's much easier and cheaper to put them in now then to add them later.

Jim

 

[Toomanytools?]

Your electrician should have a good idea what to do. I like to follow the same idea as code for a house, 6' apart from any obstruction and 12' max. In the area where you will be doing most of your work even 4' spacing is nice. Nice to have one by the garage door and man door.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Also if you plan on a refrigerator, I like to use a dedicated circuit for this, OR have it on its own GFCI, so you don't have to worry about another circuit tripping the gfci for the fridge.

Sparkies correct me if I am wrong !

IIRC, there is an exception in the NEC for refrigerators on a concrete floor/garage. The refrigerator can be plugged into a non-GFCI outlet if it is a single (non-duplex) outlet dedicated fro the refrigerator.

 

[slow]

I think the 2008 code removed that exception. New construction will require all 120 volts outlets in garages to be GFCI to my knowledge.

 

[rlitman]

I would want 2 circuits near my work bench, that way if you run a large device, you never have to worry about tripping a breaker if 2 tools are in use.

Also if you plan on a refrigerator, I like to use a dedicated circuit for this, OR have it on its own GFCI, so you don't have to worry about another circuit tripping the gfci for the fridge. (I had christmas lights trip my outside gfci, that also powered my garage fridge, so I am paranoid about this after it tripped)

My garage freezer is on a dedicated circuit with a GFCI outlet. If I were more paranoid (and perhaps I should be), I'd suggest a GFCI outlet with an audible trip alarm. They're perfect for use where the receptacle is hidden behind a fridge.

Absolutely yes to two circuits. Want to use a shop vac and a saw at the same time?

Oh, and have the lights on a different circuit, so they don't go off when you saw trips the breaker.

 

[Marctrees]

I put general use outlets every 10' (every post in pole barn) on two ckts odd / even.

Special dedicated recepts in addition to that on other separate ckts.

This is sufficient for a one man , and generally two men working at same time.

All electric boxes above 4' plywood height as said above.

I would never put a fridge/ freezer on GFI for any reason.

Marc

 

[Zeke]

All good suggestions but I'll add that at the work area make your recp's 2- gang duplex. I hate unplugging a tool to use the next. You can't use more than one tool at a time so there is no load other than say chargers and such. But you can have more than one laying on the bench or nearby on a moving table when you've got a project going. In addition, you can have the recp's on 2 circuits in the same 4 inch box. You won't exceed box fill req'mts.

At least having a 4-plex here and there has been a help to me. Seems like where the bench top drill press lives there is always something else that needs to be close by like a work light or drill bit sharpener.

(Did I mention unplugging to use the next tool?) Plus 1 on the plug strip in front as well (for many reasons), but a good one that is secure so that you aren't pulling the damn thing off the surface plugging and unplugging. Metal ones are best.

 

[MotecM]

Consider placing an outlet outside (on the exterior) of your man door. I take projects outside to contain dust, and have to run an extension cord through the doorway...

 

[sk8louisville]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The electricians showed up this morning so I didn't have a lot of time to plan it out heh. They put 1 GFI on the wall with the man door and 2 windows, 3 against the back wall and 3 on the right wall where I plan on putting my bench. It also has 1 220 outlet. They put one center light in and wired both my openers so there's 2 plugs on the ceiling as well. That was what my builder told them to do (and that's what he quoted me). They did add an extra 1" conduit in the ditch for me so I can run Cat5 to the shop. I tested my mesh router system but my house is old and it kills the signal coming from the front of the house (I have 4 pucks total).

All the lights are on their own breaker and the plugs on another. I may add another plug between the garage doors for my little upright compressor (Harbor Freight special).

 

[dscheidt]

Sparkies correct me if I am wrong !

IIRC, there is an exception in the NEC for refrigerators on a concrete floor/garage. The refrigerator can be plugged into a non-GFCI outlet if it is a single (non-duplex) outlet dedicated fro the refrigerator.

Nope. That exception went away in the 2008 code cycle. All 15A or 20A 120V receptacles have to be GFCI protected. If you're worried about a GFCI tripping, get one with an audible alarm.

 

[75gmck25]

It may be too late to add anything, but for my garage I installed switched receptacles in the ceiling. I plug in inexpensive LED utility lights over the bench area and whereever else they are needed. Most plug-in lights have about 6 foot cords, so you have flexibility for where to hang the utility lights.

Bruce

 

[Marctrees]

You want that compressor ... even though small to be on it's own ckt.

Hope you have a panel in the garage for future needs ?

Marc

 

[tarmy]

Figure out where your bench is going to be...put in 4 receptacles each as high above the surface as you can...meaning 8-12”. That way your items on the bench won’t obstruct them...

Hard to see in this pic...but they are there...


Run a couple 30 amp plugs...one each side of garage for welder/compressor/saw...

 

[Zeke]

Figure out where your bench is going to be...put in 4 receptacles each as high above the surface as you can...meaning 8-12”. That way your items on the bench won’t obstruct them...

Hard to see in this pic...but they are there...


Run a couple 30 amp plugs...one each side of garage for welder/compressor/saw...

That's funny because I can't seem to see them.
There must be something in front of them.

 

[tarmy]

That's funny because I can't seem to see them.
There must be something in front of them.

Part of the reason for the advice...is because mine are NOT high enough...

 

[sk8louisville]

You want that compressor ... even though small to be on it's own ckt.

Hope you have a panel in the garage for future needs ?

Marc

Yep, sub panel in the garage with plenty of room. I measured my compressor and it looks like it'll fit between the doors so I'm going to run a drop off there.

 

[Marctrees]

Excellent.

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

I really really like the idea of metal case nice outlet strip on front edge of bench.

Even more durable is regular duplex recepts w ears bearing on mud ring on 1900 box.

OR the newer style of "Industrial cover" with the two extra 6/32 spots.

Point is plug ins on front edge of bench.


For an island bench, a hanging recept just high enough not to hit head if leaning forward.

No fancy reels, just a 14 ga ext cord hanging centered easily reachable from all sides of bench.

Plug a 3 way splitter into if you want and permanently tape it to the cord outlet.

Actually, in addition to above, make up a 2-3' slack loop supported by very lightweight spring or light bungee.

Poor man's cord reel.

Marc

 

[Ak Jim]

I like having the garage door opener/openers on their own circuit so I can turn them off.

 

[gtae07]

Outlets high enough to clear 4x8 sheets
Lights on separate circuits (and two separate lighting circuits so if one goes down for maintenance you have the other)
A disconnect box outside for a future mini split
Outdoor lighting by doors? Security lights?
Personally I recommend wiring your welder outlet for the full amperage (e.g. 6/3 and a range outlet ona 50A circuit) for maximum versatility, if you can afford it. Make adapter cords (with breakers if you need). This will allow you to power anything. I was able to run our old oven off mine for baking engine paint and I can power a car charger if we ever get an electric car.

 

[sk8louisville]

Thanks. I have 4 open spots left in my panel. Buddy stopped by yesterday and we were talking about "future proofing" the electrical. He said go ahead and put breakers in the 4 open spots and run wire up into the attic and tie them off in a 4 gang box. That way later on after the drywall goes up, if I want to run something new, just run it into the attic and over to that box. Not a bad idea.

 

[Marctrees]

I would instead run a pvc conduit up... maybe lke 1 1/4", then you can pull what you may need in future.

Depends.

Give a few photos - Area above panel mostly.

Marc

 

[machsnell]

As suggested..

Ceiling outlets for reel. I hate cords on the ground.

One outside so you dont have to tear up your door.

One for garage door opener.


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