Pole barn wiring, behind wall or exposed?

[HunterDan]

I've tried searching but couldn't come up with a whole lot.

I'm in the process of building my barn, 40x48x16 with 16' lean to's on each side, And 16x12 portion closed in.

At this point, I'm going to have to decide on wether I should run my electric behind the walls, then insulate/hang osb. OR should I insulate/osb first, then run my electric in emt conduit on the walls?

 

[yaidunno]

I did all the circuits i knew would be "permanent" behind the walls (switches, lights, outdoor lights, and garage door openers). All the outlets and dedicated circuits will be done in EMT which will allow me to easily add on to it when/if i need to.

There's no real right or wrong answer to this topic. It really comes down to preference and what your use now and in the future will be.

 

[HunterDan]

Good call on the permanent ones I like that idea

this will be a shop/garage/hang out area

 

[bullnerd]

I have not done it yet, but I'm going all surface mounted. I don't want any more holes through the interior walls than absolutely necessary! But, I'm also using steel liners so cutting them out is much more work than osb. I also like the idea of being able to add/modify any circuit anywhere.

 

[Slowgsr]

All mine are recessed, 22 receptacles - duplex outlets, 6 switches, all my lights plug in via twist lock once hung, as well as my compressor, hoist and retractable cords. All my ceiling outlets are twist lock (x14) and I have camera rough in, data/comm etc. The panel is also recessed and my 50a welding plug.

I have x2 4 11/16 boxes just above my panel, just empty but have a piece of 1" flex connecting into the panel, if I need to add I could put an extension ring on and run surface conduit. I doubt it would come to that but just in case.

Did I mention im an electrician

 

[Jamie V]

I have not done it yet, but I'm going all surface mounted. I don't want any more holes through the interior walls than absolutely necessary! But, I'm also using steel liners so cutting them out is much more work than osb. I also like the idea of being able to add/modify any circuit anywhere.

In the same boat, I didn't know where I wanted every receptacle and light ahead of time so I decided to insulate and OSB the interior and then add everything else later.

 

[p_mori7]

I am also going surface mount in my garage. Just hung the lights today. Still need to close the walls.

 

[finn]

My old garage has burried Romex.

New (to me) shop has exposed emt in the shop area and hidden in the bathroom, hall and office.

Exposed emt is my recommendation and is all I would consider having lived with both.