outlet locations?

[kcombs]

I am wiring my new garage today and need some insight into where to put outlets for a welder. My garage/shop is 32' deep, 28' wide, with two 10x8 roll-up doors on the 28' end. I have scissors trusses running the depth of the garage (32') and plan on putting a work bench opposite of the roll-up doors. There will be a two post Bend-Pak on one side and a small bathroom on the other side, in the corner. I am putting double 120 volt outlets every 5-6 around the perimeter of the shop. They will be four feet off the floor and each wall will have its own circuit breaker. I will put the air compressor outside in a shed.

A long time ago I was a fabrication welder and my passion is working on auto bodies, such as panel repair and replacement, so I really want a light weight fabrication shop.

My real question is where do you feel you need outlets for welders and other equipment that might need a dedicated circuit? Can they be on one circuit? I am expecting to run 220 for the welders. I am leaning towards one on each 32 foot wall and maybe one in the middle of the work bench area.

Any ideas and comments welcome. Thanks, Kurt

 

[Ign]

I've never understood how people get by with one or two 220V receps on each wall. I tend to do about one every 6-8'. Absolutely love it. If you might add a plasma down the road this will also require 220, and the welder and plasma are often used in tandem. You might also stumble upon a great deal on 220 belt sander.... hell I've even got a 220V portaband.

This way if you're working on a vehicle and your lead won't quite reach the rear bumper, or the passenger side, etc, you just move the welder down to the next recep. I do ALSO have a nice 220 extension cord but prefer not to clutter the floor w cords anymore than necessary.

If you place any value on your time in the shop, it's faster and more efficient to wire up more receps now, making for less headaches later.

 

[CalGeo]

Depending on where you are going to weld, most likely near the center wall of the roll up doors would be good location for the outlet. Another location would be directly under the panel. You can have a 25' extension cord to reach the entire shop and still be able to weld outside. As far as outlets goes, your idea of double duplexes every 5/6 feet is a good one, consider running 12/3 and have two circuits to each box in your heavy use area. This will allow for two large amperage draw processes going on at the same time. I ran both a 30A 2 pole and a 50A 2 pole at the same location in the front of my garage to accept several types of equipment. Most 220 volt welders use either the 30A or 50A plug as do compressors etc.

 

[sneezer41]

Consider looking on ebay for some bus duct. You make one 15 foot drop for your welder and you can run it anywhere you want in about 15 minutes. Plus you can get a 120v anywhere you want. As I look it seems like most of the guys are pros trying to get all the money, but I got over 100 feet with plugs of 100 amp duct ~3 years ago for 200 bucks.

 

[tontruck]

I've never understood how people get by with one or two 220V receps on each wall. I tend to do about one every 6-8'. Absolutely love it. If you might add a plasma down the road this will also require 220, and the welder and plasma are often used in tandem. You might also stumble upon a great deal on 220 belt sander.... hell I've even got a 220V portaband.

This way if you're working on a vehicle and your lead won't quite reach the rear bumper, or the passenger side, etc, you just move the welder down to the next recep. I do ALSO have a nice 220 extension cord but prefer not to clutter the floor w cords anymore than necessary.

If you place any value on your time in the shop, it's faster and more efficient to wire up more receps now, making for less headaches later.

I agree with IGN except I'd put one outside with in use covers by my over head doors. You never know when you'll want to do some work outside, I've got one by my roll up door and it's been very handy.

 

[ScottC]

My garage/shop is nearly the same size and I'm planning one 200V outlet on each wall. I'm also going to install conduit to a future outdoor closet (compressor & dust collector) before I insulate/drywall.

What wire size is needed for 50A circuits? I want to run wire to accommodate 50A but have the option of installing lower amperage outlets.

 

[jay50]

Put one where you can weld outside

 

[W-Cummins]

I would have one 30 dedicated circuit and outlet and breaker for the compressor, and 2, 50 amp and 2, 30 amp circuits for the rest of the stuff. Take and run the 2, 30s and the 2, 50's each in their own conduit ( you will have to do a slight de-rate on 4 current carrying conductors in one conduit but it's not too bad at only 4) Then have them run parallel around the room then have the 30 amp boxes up and the 50's point down. Then wire every other outlet on a different breaker. ( multi outlet branch circuits ).
So
#1 30 amp....#1 50 amp....#2 30amp .... #2 50amp.... #1 30 amp etc......

You can have the end of the run wrap around to the side of the door and that way if you HAVE To weld outside ( stick or fluxcore) you can.

William...