Advise on circuits & switches for lighting

[scutty83]

So I finally have power to the shop and all receptacles wired and in service. I am now ready to start installing lights and cant decide how to start running wire.

Its a 30x30 main shop which will have 3 rows of lights- two 8' t8 fixtures spaced four feet apart per row making each row 20' overall (8+4+8). Upstairs (14'x30') will have two or three incandescent fixtures, outside lean to (10'x30') will also have two or three fixtures. Heres my questions...

I was planning on doing the lean to and upstairs on seperate circuits since I have a 20 space panel and have only used two spaces so far. (why not?)

Also, should I wire all 6 flourescent fixtures on 1 circuit or break them up into one circuit per row?

On the flourescent fixture closest to the entry I want to intall two seperate 4' fourescent fixtures coupled together so I can just switch on one fixture for those "leave a light on" times. I would like to have two switches for the main area-one for the single 4' fixture and another to turn on the other five fixtures. If I do this, is there a way to have multiple circuits on one switch?

 

[buzz4041]

I would use 2 circuits for the amount of fixtures you are using only to have one available in case the other is down for maintanance.
You just need to come up with a switching plan for them and stagger your circuits for maintanance. I have my shop controled by 4 different switches and 2 circuits. This way I don't have to burn lights that are not needed. Lay it out on paper first.

 

[eljefino]

Barring relays or X10 type shenanigans you'll need a switch for every circuit. It's a good thing b/c the ballasts take a little surge when they start up. Despite being on multiple circuits it's good for RFI etc in the rest of your house.

If I were to divide I'd do it by garage bays, in case you're working in one, or by center/ edges, as edge lights are nice to have to see down in wheel wells when doing brakes up against an outside wall.