Conduit layout?

[BioHazard]

Two entire walls in my shop have no outlets what so ever...I need to change that. The shop is concrete block, so, everything is in exposed EMT. I want to mount the outlets 4' from the floor. Some will be 120v, some 240v. (well, 208 anway )

So my question is, should I just run the conduit horizontal at the 4' level out of my main panel and straight around the room? Or, should I install it more like an air system - with a main run at the top of the ceiling, and drops for each individual outlet?

Getting into the attic is not an option...that's how the original wiring was done, in the attic, with drops for each outlet. Why they decided two was enough I will never understand.

 

[Mickey O]

I'd "run the conduit horizontal at the 4' level out of my main panel and straight around the room" as you stated unless it will be in the way of shelves or other stuff, you could do the same thing, run it horizontally, but higher up and do drops where you want.

 

[FNFS2000]

whatever is easiest probably the 4' along the wall, unless you have a bunch of obstacles...

 

[hidollartoys]

This is where the - "You should plan for every possible/impossible, conceivable/inconceivable future expansion, contraction, modification, make-over, remodel, upgrade, addition, deletion, etc that could EVER come along" - discussion comes in.

 

[Stuart in MN]

running straight along the wall at 48 inches will use less conduit and less wire.

 

[ddawg16]

running straight along the wall at 48 inches will use less conduit and less wire.

Very true.....but in relative terms of irratation....the conduit would start to piss me off real fast....

I vote up by the ceiling and run legs down....I doubt it will addd more than $30-40 more to the cost.

And with the conduit up high.....it will be easier to add lights up on the ceiling.....if that is an option...make the conduit at least 1". And don't forget to debur.

 

[kbs2244]

I vote with ddawg

 

[bradleys]

The electricians wiring my new shop are placing all the cross-conduit about eight feet up (the top of the OSB). Then, drops go to each outlet. There's an outlet on every pole. They're IBEW, so I trust their choice.

And, yes, I'm going to paint the rest of the OSB in the shop. I just didn't want the electricians to have to work in fumes.

 

[Aceman]

This is where the - "You should plan for every possible/impossible, conceivable/inconceivable future expansion, contraction, modification, make-over, remodel, upgrade, addition, deletion, etc that could EVER come along" - discussion comes in.

Yep. I can't count how many members always recommend running 3-wire to welders, air compressors, etc in case one day they'll need a neutral......

They're IBEW, so I trust their choice.

Yeah, those non-union guys are hacks!!

 

[Mickey O]

Yeah, those non-union guys are hacks!!

Plenty of them are hacks, especially here in Chicago (I've cleaned up plenty of their "work"). I'm no big fan of unions but the IBEW does thoroughly train their members, the majority of them are top notch. I would find it easy to have faith in them, the price might be scare me though.

 

[colt340]

I vote for up on top.

 

[916matt]

Plenty of them are hacks, especially here in Chicago (I've cleaned up plenty of their "work"). I'm no big fan of unions but the IBEW does thoroughly train their members, the majority of them are top notch. I would find it easy to have faith in them, the price might be scare me though.

I've seen plenty of hack work from union guys. I don't think its a union non union thing. I think its just taking pride in what you do.

 

[jayrush13]

Yeah, those non-union guys are hacks!!

Plenty of them are hacks, especially here in Chicago (I've cleaned up plenty of their "work"). I'm no big fan of unions but the IBEW does thoroughly train their members, the majority of them are top notch. I would find it easy to have faith in them, the price might be scare me though.

I've seen plenty of hack work from union guys. I don't think its a union non union thing. I think its just taking pride in what you do.

I think a lot of it depends on your states licensing here in Oregon Union and non union have to take the same test and do the same amount of school/work hours. I have seen my fair share of hack work from both and it is just taking pride in your work

 

[BioHazard]

And with the conduit up high.....it will be easier to add lights up on the ceiling.....if that is an option...make the conduit at least 1". And don't forget to debur.

I think that's what I'm going to end up doing...I decided to point a CFL at each of my three windows from the ceiling so that it looks like all the lights are on when I'm not there. My walls are only a little over 12' high, so it shouldn't add too much length.

 

[boiler7904]

Decide what you're going to be doing with cabinets or shelves on the walls and then route the conduit accordingly so you have less headaches to deal with.

I'd mount the outlets a little higher than 48" so that if you have plywood or sheets of metal leaning against the wall, you still have access to the power.