Circuit question

[bluedog225]

I’m just starting to lay out the circuits for my little 25’x25’ shop. It will be powered by a victron inverter and LiFePO4 batteries.

Essentially, a small inverter air conditioner, several quad boxes spread around, and LED lighting.

I’m reality, I’ll only be using one or two of the quads at any one time. Small table saw, drill press, etc.

I’m thinking I need to keep the lighting on a separate circuit to avoid interference. Is that right? Thanks

 

[RPH]

Always split lighting circuits separately. Last thing you want to happen is popping the breaker while running a machine and going dark at the same time.

 

[mike93lx]

Agreed, lighting is prudent to keep separate.

IMO, one 15a circuit for lighting with 14/2 and two 20a circuits for receptacles with 12/2. I would likely run a dedicated circuit for the a/c and 15a with 14/2 sounds fine for that.

 

[bluedog225]

Thanks. I’ll run the numbers before pulling anything.

It’s odd for me to think of 14 gauge for anything. I’m so used to everything being 12 minimum from the old days.

I guess stuff like lighting is that much more efficient these days.

 

[mike93lx]

Thanks. I’ll run the numbers before pulling anything.

It’s odd for me to think of 14 gauge for anything. I’m so used to everything being 12 minimum from the old days.

I guess stuff like lighting is that much more efficient these days.

Copper has gone up a lot and with led's, you can run a lot of lighting on a 15a circuit. Just keep it to 12a or less since it would be a constant load (assuming 3+ hr use at a time)

 

[jeepxj]

Thanks. I’ll run the numbers before pulling anything.

It’s odd for me to think of 14 gauge for anything. I’m so used to everything being 12 minimum from the old days.

I guess stuff like lighting is that much more efficient these days.

talks of going to 16g for lighting circuits with 10a breakers

 

[mike93lx]

talks of going to 16g for lighting circuits with 10a breakers

If they just let us run 480v, we could use cat6

 

[jeepxj]

If they just let us run 480v, we could use cat6

already a thing on poe+

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[dave*99]

Thanks. I’ll run the numbers before pulling anything.

It’s odd for me to think of 14 gauge for anything. I’m so used to everything being 12 minimum from the old days.

I guess stuff like lighting is that much more efficient these days.

How old are those days? I see plenty of houses from the 60’s with 15A circuits. Old 14 Ga. Romex.

 

[bluedog225]

I guess I’ve been in my 50’s house for 30+ years. And older before.

An electrician opened one of my switches and saw a large bundle of soldered ground wires. “Not touching that.”

 

[dave*99]

My sons last house had BX with soldered connections wrapped in friction tape. I touched it. All of it. All gone now. I don’t know if it was 14 or 12. House was over 80 years old. I think it was built the day they first started using BX.

 

[Mzungu]

talks of going to 16g for lighting circuits with 10a breakers

Yep, 1.5mm2 (16awg) on 10 amp breakers is pretty standard for lighting in a lot of Europe and Africa. Of course they are also using a 230/400 volt system. I banned 1.5mm2 cable on my site because I caught the guys using it for sockets and A/C units.

 

[nadogail]

When you consider that a 9 Watt LED is as effective as a 45 Watt Incandescent, using 16 Gauge wire with appropriate over current protection really makes economic sense.