Detached shed electric questions

[MerlinsBeard]

I'm gearing up for the electric install for my small workshop and trying to figure out receptacles and have a few questions. I'm planning 20A outlet runs and 15A lighting run. I notice that there are receptacles rated 15A vs 20A (with the horizontal prong). Is there any real world use case where someone has 20A rated equipment in say a small workshop type environment where I'd want the receptacle to match? I don't know of any workshop type equipment that has the horizontal plug, but I'm not experienced to know any better. As far as I understand, a duplex 15A receptacle on a 20A run is ok, but for single receptacles a 20A rated is required. Is that correct?

I'm planning several duplex around the perimeter and 3 quad outlet areas above the workbench area. Since this is for a small 10x16 workshop (woodworking/hobby), I'd like to plan several of these on different 20A runs to support say dust collection and a miter saw simultaneously. My reading is that all detached structure outlets need to be GFCI (I don't think AFCI is required). If I have a 20A run to a quad receptacle box on a dedicated run for say a miter saw on a workbench, but still have plugs available when necessary if I decide to re-arrange or repurpose, would you have one GFCI receptacle on say the left, and a regular on the right, or is it better to have both duplex receptacles be both GFCI?

Are there some height guidelines for receptacles? I'm planning 18" for front facing under window, at least 48" on the sides (to stay above plywood, though I'm tempted to raise the box higher to 50 or 52" even), but for workbench I'm not sure what height to go for. I plan to put in workbench but not sure what height, and I have Wall Control pegboard up top (16x32" width X height) so I don't want them too high. I'm 6'2", so is there a rule of thumb for height that would work against the wall for the bench? If you have height preferences, I'd love to hear them.

I plan to have two separate runs for exterior duplex outlets (if I decide to go crazy with christmas lighting in the backyard). I plan to use a separate 20A run for each with an internal GFCI receptacle first (18" under window) and then branch out to the external outlet. Is there any special consideration on what type of receptacle to use for the external duplex outlet? I'm shopping Leviton, so recommendations for receptacles for GFCI, regular, and possible different one for the outside receptacles would be appreciated. Is the "weather resistant" option worth considering?

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[nadogail]

Most of the equipment used in a home workshop will be well served by a 15 Amp receptacle. Some commercial equipment will want a 20 amp supply. You should be fine with 15 Amp outlets.

 

[pattenp]

Outside receptacles need to be weather resistant carrying the "WR" designation.
Use one gfci receptacle to protect downstream receptacles. No need to make every receptacle gfci.

 

[ycgoat]

It sounds like you are going to need a sub panel with ground rods to feed those circuits. The only height requirements that come to mind are for the sub panel and light switch. Light switches are typically 48" AFF. The sub panel mainly needs to be reachable but I do not remember the max height to the main disconnect switch.

 

[sparky 1971]

I'm gearing up for the electric install for my small workshop and trying to figure out receptacles and have a few questions. I'm planning 20A outlet runs and 15A lighting run. I notice that there are receptacles rated 15A vs 20A (with the horizontal prong). Is there any real world use case where someone has 20A rated equipment in say a small workshop type environment where I'd want the receptacle to match? I don't know of any workshop type equipment that has the horizontal plug, but I'm not experienced to know any better. As far as I understand, a duplex 15A receptacle on a 20A run is ok, but for single receptacles a 20A rated is required. Is that correct?

Don't bother with the 20A duplexes. I've seen a total of two pieces of equipment that required them.

I'm planning several duplex around the perimeter and 3 quad outlet areas above the workbench area. Since this is for a small 10x16 workshop (woodworking/hobby), I'd like to plan several of these on different 20A runs to support say dust collection and a miter saw simultaneously. My reading is that all detached structure outlets need to be GFCI (I don't think AFCI is required). If I have a 20A run to a quad receptacle box on a dedicated run for say a miter saw on a workbench, but still have plugs available when necessary if I decide to re-arrange or repurpose, would you have one GFCI receptacle on say the left, and a regular on the right, or is it better to have both duplex receptacles be both GFCI?

AFCI is not required, thank goodness. Just use one GFCI per circuit, it will be the first receptacle in the circuit.

Are there some height guidelines for receptacles? I'm planning 18" for front facing under window, at least 48" on the sides (to stay above plywood, though I'm tempted to raise the box higher to 50 or 52" even), but for workbench I'm not sure what height to go for. I plan to put in workbench but not sure what height, and I have Wall Control pegboard up top (16x32" width X height) so I don't want them too high. I'm 6'2", so is there a rule of thumb for height that would work against the wall for the bench? If you have height preferences, I'd love to hear them.

There is a maximum height, but I don't remember exactly what it is. Don't worry about it, you won't be that high. I usually put the boxes at 44" to the bottom for no other reason than that's where the 1st shop I worked at put them.

I plan to have two separate runs for exterior duplex outlets (if I decide to go crazy with christmas lighting in the backyard). I plan to use a separate 20A run for each with an internal GFCI receptacle first (18" under window) and then branch out to the external outlet. Is there any special consideration on what type of receptacle to use for the external duplex outlet? I'm shopping Leviton, so recommendations for receptacles for GFCI, regular, and possible different one for the outside receptacles would be appreciated. Is the "weather resistant" option worth considering?

Any advice is much appreciated.

The WR option is the only option worth considering. Code says so. You are also supposed to have weather resistant while in use covers. Those are those ugly bubble covers.