DIY Shop wiring: How-to vids?

[Tonykarter]

40x40x16 metal shop building I built in 2009. STILL not wired, mainly due to quotes I received, each seeking to **** my retirement and fully fund theirs. So I guess I'll do it myself. Can you please point me to any how-to videos/links on how to run/bend/secure plastic conduit, and other critical info I would need? Anticipate plastic conduit run circumference of building at 7-foot high, fastened to the 8-inch metal purlin there, with drops for switches and 120V receptacles. Lighting too: I want it to look like the Burning Bush in there. Willing to spend the money so I will never have to use a shop light again.

 

[acer66]

I know no videos but did you see the sticky Light Fixture Layout Collections here?

 

[Tonykarter]

I'll check it out. Thanks!

 

[Richard Cranium]

find a friend who is an electrician and buy the beer and burgers.

 

[Kaizen]

bending metal conduit isn't bad. just takes some practice. i'd go metal not plastic. depending on what you have for girders or bracing there are hammer on clips you can use for conduit support.
you'll want several circuits around the width of that so you'll need to run several runs of conduit to different areas......not just one. it is possible using a large enough conduit but with no experience it might be more trouble then its worth.
if I knew nothing i'd get a book on basic wiring first. plenty of videos on youtube. just search install electrical conduit or bend metal conduit.
maybe you can learn enough to be dangerous and then pay an electrician to guide you and make the hot connections?

 

[ard]

^I think you mean EMT, not 'conduit'. EMT is must easier to bend. You can pick up a used benders for cheap or even rent that from a tool yard. (I'd buy as this sounds like it will be a months long effort.)

Running pipe (EMT, whatever) is really two distinct tasks- unlike wire, where you need to figure out circuits, run wire that defines circuits, with conduit (assuming no crazy wire sizes and number of circuits) you just run pipes and place boxes everywhere you want service. The second step is running the wires to each box, The same 'main pipe' can carry 2 welder circuits and 3 120V circuits (sized right)

Anyway, look at a bunch of pictures. Go to a store and look at fittings and boxes...think about what will work for you... Draw out some rough plans, have people here review your assumptions on pipe size, wire size and wire counts...

GL

 

[MINIz guy]

Go on Youtube and just type what you need. There is usually a video exactly, or 90%, of what you're trying to do. Been doing that for the past few days seeing how various people wire up a garage.

 

[theoldwizard1]

There are books available at HD/Lowes/Menards that will tech you basic wiring. The biggest problem you have is how to run your wire.

• Is it a "pole" building with only a few vertical supports or does it have a large number of metal 2x4 studs ? There are a lot of different clips, etc. for haning your wire, depending of what it is going to be attached to.
• Do local codes require conduit (common in some farm areas) ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

find a friend who is an electrician and buy the beer and burgers.

Very true if you are going to use EMT !

You need to start with a plan. Simple pencil 2D drawing showing where the breaker panel will be, lights, receptacles and switches.

 

[Dr Stan]

Google "DIY electrical wiring" and you'll find a considerable amount of help.
Ditto on YouTube.

It's really not difficult if you take your time and think it through. On outlets, switches, etc. remember copper (hot wire/black) to brass. Neutral (white) to the steel connections.

Since you're doing your own install (legal in most states) get the necessary permit and have it inspected. A copy of one or more of Audel's electrical books would be an excellent investment.

Like fluid power electricity will flow through the easiest path, so a good digital multi-meter is another excellent investment.

BTW, I surface mounted my wiring inside PVC conduit W/O glue. Much easier to access than stuffing it inside a wall when (not if) you want to make additions/changes. Personally I prefer PVC over steel as I find it much easier to work with especially as I'm usually doing any & all work by myself.

 

[Tonykarter]

Thanks everyone. Very simple circuit, once around inside of building, few drops, excess of junction boxes for future add-ons, RV shore power box close to main breaker box. I need to put it on paper next and start the buy list. I like the idea of PVC too. Especially since everything I am attaching it to is metal frame, not wood, therefore conductive. And not gluing it: I did not think of that. Excellent tip. I live very rural in Texas. Very rural. Here our computers still run on kerosene. I have never seen an inspector in this creek bottom, ever, since 1985. Never bought a permit for anything I built, including the building. Still, I'll wire it to code (except for the glue), to keep the marketability high on the property.