New Circuits (DIY?)

[Ramper]

I am in the process of finishing my "shop" which is a 30 x 40 Morton (pole) shed with a concrete floor. It has 100 amp service. There are only a handful of outlets in there and I would like to add a few more.

I want to run wires now before I close the walls in. Is this a DIY project or do I need to get an electrician?

I am pretty handy, but I have a healthy respect for electric. We are talking about about 10 outlets spread over two/three circuits.

 

[paullie]

like my daddy always said " you ain't gonna learn any younger", runnin wire is simple, the main thing is make sure what you are workin on ain't hot, take your time and make sure your connections are tight, get a book or look on the net, it's pretty basic stuff, don't buy the cheapest fixtures you find and put alot more outlets in then you think you will need.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

This thread on 240 volt circuits and this thread on conduit and such that morphed into installing outlets and running wire/cable and this thread on receptacles and the quality differences between them will be very informative if you have not seen them.

Charles

 

[Ramper]

THANKS. I tried to search, but could not seem to narrow down the results to those that were useful.

 

[Ford12508]

I suggest enlisting a buddy who knows his stuff to help and teach you. I have no fear for electricity, whether working on something hot or off, I use the same rules. Basically, work with the power off whenever possible, and keep checking to make sure its off. Leave a note on the box saying "Do not touch" while working on it. It only takes 2 seconds for your screwdriver to become a weapon when someone turns the box on by mistake. Also, keep one hand in your pocket whenever possible. The only way to get shocked is to be the path of least resistance. Your chances are drastically reduced of getting shocked when working with 1 hand.

I say get a buddy to help just because something you might consider passable could burn your shop down at any time. I have done work for people before and seen some really horrible looking stuff that could have killed someone.

 

[MrMark]

I suggest enlisting a buddy who knows his stuff to help and teach you. I have no fear for electricity, whether working on something hot or off, I use the same rules. Basically, work with the power off whenever possible, and keep checking to make sure its off. Leave a note on the box saying "Do not touch" while working on it. It only takes 2 seconds for your screwdriver to become a weapon when someone turns the box on by mistake. Also, keep one hand in your pocket whenever possible. The only way to get shocked is to be the path of least resistance. Your chances are drastically reduced of getting shocked when working with 1 hand.

I say get a buddy to help just because something you might consider passable could burn your shop down at any time. I have done work for people before and seen some really horrible looking stuff that could have killed someone.

That is just so wrong. You can get shocked and killed by being the path of most resistance. It only takes milliamps to stop your heart and you are almost always going to be a higher resistance path than the alternative parallel path in a multiple path scenario. Your body has quite a lot of resistance, several hundred ohms depending on precise path and fat and muscle levels. The other path may have very little. You will still get killed.

I am scared to death of electricity and I have been trained in it through university. Anyone who says they are not afraid of electricity is either stupid and full of false bravado.

 

[RPH]

Buddy system is for safety. Things can go wrong and having someone close and responding when when needed. Also if they have the knowledge that just makes it sweeter. Running outlets is not hard but does need to be done right the first time.

 

[bluesman2a]

I am scared to death of electricity and I have been trained in it through university. Anyone who says they are not afraid of electricity is either stupid and full of false bravado.

You know, having your own irrational fears is one thing. Ascribing them to others is the act of an idiot. It's also one of the reasons I HATE these types of discussions on this board. This is a fairly simple DIY project, yet people like you want to turn it into a life or death battle with some mythical beast that can and will kill you in .02 milliseconds for even considering the project. And lest you think this is from a layman, I have a Bachelors in Electronics, so I too was "trained in it through university".

Healthy respect: yes, it keeps you alive. Irrational/abject terror? Not really, electricity is a tool, just like anything else we use in our shops, 97% of which will kill you if you aren't paying attention. But I guess my blase approach is just false bravado, eh?

To the OP: Yes, this is a simple DIY job. No you don't need an electrician to get it done.

As previously mentioned:

1) Either get a book and read up a bit or get a buddy who knows how to help you.

2) Ensure you use proper materials, don't skimp on wire or receptacles.

3) Make sure you are working on runs that have NO electricity in them, they are "dead" or "off". Work from the boxes back to the breaker panel. The panel should be the last thing you do. Nothing can hurt you if it's not connected.

4) When you work on the panel, if you have an external cutoff (i.e. BEFORE the panel), that's a much better way to go. Turn the WHOLE panel/box off before you start poking around it.

5) When working with something that's OFF, make sure it stays off and somebody doesn't inadvertently flip it back on. Before you touch anything, check it. When you walk away and come back, check it again to be safe.

 

[Rosco]

If you are just running new outlets, read the links Charles posted. Use boxes that will easily accept the wire you are trying to stuff. Get the correct caps for the size/amount of wires. Use the green caps with the hole in the end for the grounds.

When I run circuits, I install/connect everything before even attempting to connect to any live circuit. Connecting to the main box or any other box is the very last step. Turn off the main breaker on the panel, use daylight or flashlight if needed when making final connections.

I bought a nice book at lowes, has really helped me a lot!

 

[akdiesel]

Great info. I have one thing to add. For the 15 amp romex wire size you will need 14 gauge. I suggest using 12 gauge and look into a 220 outlet on the far end if you feel you can do this safely and your budget allow it. Minimal costs now then later down the road.

 

[RM209]

Many localities authorize homeowners to install additional circuits, so they must assume it can be managed at that level. Even if you have a friend to assist, I'd recommend you invest in a good basic book on residential electricity; ideally one with many descriptions and photos of the products used. You can probably find one at Lowes or H-D for about $15; it's a worthwhile investment.

Good Luck

RM209

 

[sdowney717]

Anyone who says they are not afraid of electricity is either stupid and full of false bravado.

I agree, it only takes 20 ma to kill an adult, less for a child.

I replaced my stab-lock Federal Pacific fuse panel with a homeline Breaker Panel and upped the service to 200 amp from 150 amp. The panel was arcing inside and the dryer circuit was failing, lousy design.
I had bought that Homeline panel months ago, kept putting it off till finally could not keep the old fuse panel going.
That Dominion Power meter box had a lock, the kind needs a pushin key, was on there when we moved into the house. No way to just cut a metal ring and pull the meter, it was one reason I kept putting it off.
I just did the whole thing live. I wore some gloves, carefully taped the live feed wires, started with vinyl tape, then used some dust tape. Got all the wires out of the old box, pulled the nails holding to the 2x4 and carefully pulled the old box out past the wires.
My old meter box was already loose, it had lost some screws so I was able to twist off the last screw without opening the box and finally had the old box swinging in the breeze outside the house. Hooked up the new panel and the new 200 amp meter base, carefully put the old wires into the new base, used those large 4/0 blocks to reconnect the wires and taped them. Drove a new ground rod. Did all this on a Saturday morning.

Went downtown on the following Monday for a permit, it all passed, inspections etc.... Called Dominion Power and it took them 4 months to come out and get rid of the old meter base and finish with new supply wire from the street. They had somehow lost my work order. By the time they came out, one of those connection blocks was getting overheated. Perhaps because I did not tighten the hex screw sufficiently. I had used oxguard on it. I think I had wire brushed the aluminum feed wire ends, so it was clean. who knows.

I have been working around electricity a long time. I took a chance and came out ok. I probably take more chances than most do. It was a weekend, I was free, I did not want to wait on fixing it any longer. I got it done in around 4 hours.

I returned one of the connection blocks to the HD for store credit. I had originally thought to take them both back, but it was discolored.

 

[Ramper]

I am thinking about two circuits with four outlets per circuit. Originally, I was thinking two boxes one each circuit with two outlets (4 plugs-ins) per box. Now I think that wiring 4 separate boxes (each with one outlet) seems the easiest for my first time.

 

[bluesman2a]

I am thinking about two circuits with four outlets per circuit. Originally, I was thinking two boxes one each circuit with two outlets (4 plugs-ins) per box. Now I think that wiring 4 separate boxes (each with one outlet) seems the easiest for my first time.

Ramper, where are you located? Heck, if you're close to Atlanta, I'll come SHOW you how to do it. If not, maybe we can get a like minded member to help you out.

Again, this is getting REALLY blow out of proportion. There's absolutely no reason you shouldn't get exactly what you want out of this, cause it's just that easy. Please don't settle because you think it might be easier up front.

 

[Ramper]

I am now also thinking that I should wire up a 240 volt circuit if the future. I live in MN. With insulation and a propane heater it is warm in the winter, but I think that someday we might want to put in an electric heater so we can have a thermostat and not have to "fire up the heater". We just have the floor propane heaters. We have a hanging propane in the garage (this is the shop).

 

[bluesman2a]

I am now also thinking that I should wire up a 240 volt circuit if the future. I live in MN.

Sorry I can't help you there, anybody in MinnyChoda that can give Ramper a hand?

You're right, you SHOULD wire up a 240 now, while it's cheap and easy, even if you don't have a current use for it. Do you weld? Will you WANT to weld at some point? There's another use for 240.

 

[heynicebits]

Go DIY and just make sure safety is your top priority. There is a ton of info out there. Some good some bad

 

[green.bubbly]

This thread on 240 volt circuits and this thread on conduit and such that morphed into installing outlets and running wire/cable and this thread on receptacles and the quality differences between them will be very informative if you have not seen them.

Charles

Great, all three of those threads were started by me.

I feel useless and useful all at the same time. I am like the poster child of bad DIY electrical.


But that is ok because now I can give advice. Don't waste your money of those cheap 2x2 shallow boxes. Go get the deep 4x4 and get some mud rings. If you are running flex metal cable, don't forget to use the anti-short bushings which require a special connectors to hold the anti-short bushing in place.

I could go on but just read through my threads...

 

[Ramper]

So I am ready to try this job.
A few last questions:
1)These should be GFCI, so should I wire just the first plug as a GFCI or use a GFCI breaker?
2) Four outlets (each with two plugs) is not too much for one circuit, right?
3) I decided on 20 amp runs so I will need to use 20 amp plugs?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

So I am ready to try this job.
A few last questions:
1)These should be GFCI, so should I wire just the first plug as a GFCI or use a GFCI breaker?

Your choice. GFCI breakers are quite expensive, but much more reliable than receptacle types. You wear receptacles out plugging and unplugging from them, so, you just have to decide.

2) Four outlets (each with two plugs) is not too much for one circuit, right?

Four duplex receptacles would not be an issue at all. For non commercial installations, the code does not address this, but for commercial installations, you are to calculate the number of receptacles based on 180va per strap. A 20 amp circuit, at 120 volt is 2400 va (watts) and divided by 180 means 13 receptacles (straps, single, duplex or triplex receptacle) max in a commercial installation, so I would not get too concerned.

3) I decided on 20 amp runs so I will need to use 20 amp plugs?

Code allows you to use 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit so long as there is more than one receptacle, and the typical duplex receptacle like you use in your house or shop is counted as two. Using quality receptacles (discussed in previous threads) there is no difference between the inside guts of a 15 amp and a 20 amp, only the plastic face with the slots and holes is different, so don't waste your money on a receptacle you don't need (20 amp versions run as much as a dollar each more than an identical 15 amp version)

Charles

 

[camarotoolman]

Get a wiring book at Lowes, I took a wiring course at my local votech it was helpful and check you local codes at your building department so you use the right gauge of wire, # or boxes etc Turn off the main braker and go for it.