need some help

[redman43]

I've built a workbench in the garage, but now need to extend power to the workbench. I do have an outlet on one end about 6" above the benchtop. That outlet is the last outlet on a GFI outlet protected 15A run (breaker panel -> GFI outlet next to the panel -> regular outlet in the ceiling -> regular outlet on wall above workbench). I want to use a metal box extender with that outlet and then run conduit to several other new metal boxes with duplex recepticals along the 13' length of the workbench, roughly every 3 feet, and a switch on the end of that new run to power overhead lighting in the future once I build some cabinets above the bench. There will be a 90* bend in the run as it is an L-shaped bench. In wall is not an option.

1) Would I use PVC or metal conduit? Does it matter? What are the advantages or disadvantages of either? Cost seems to be about the same. The guy at Home Depot said metal conduit was much more complicated, but didn't get any more specific than that. Part of me wants to use all the same material for the boxes and the conduit because it would look better than metal boxes and PVC conduit.

2) 12g solid, 3 seperate wires, correct? Romex will be too hard to pull through the conduit.

3) 1/2 or 3/4 conduit?

Am I missing anything?

 

[JC23]

Conduit will require bending. Do you have those tools and experience?

Have you considered a big outlet bar, surge protector kind of thing? I have one and although it was made in the days before protectors, it does plug into the wall outlet that is GFI protected like yours. The cool thing is that I can unplug it quickly and easily when I have to.

I believe they make bigger industrial units just for this purpose.

 

[redman43]

I have looked at the Wiremold stuff already (both the plug end and the hardwire end), and wasn't too impressed. I haven't been able to find anything locally that will give me a "seamless look" install using the premade units and blank conduit (I have to step down to smaller diameter conduit from the end of the premade units, which looks like *** imo), which leaves me with the Wiremold boxes strung between Wiremold conduit and I'm right back at the same questions, just with different products.

I also don't want to use a plug end outlet bar because then I have to deal with somehow securing the additional cord for the unit closest to the outlet and from what I have been able to find locally, wouldn't have a cord long enough to reach the other side of the bench for the unit furthest away from the outlet.

If I'm not mistaken, there are little stand-off units that will bring EMT conduit off the wall and line it up with the KO in the metal boxes as well as 90* pull through elbows. Both of those should eliminate any need for a bender.