Wiring question

[NTxAg]

I just bought a house with a 20x15 shop in the back that sadly only has a 4 outlet box right where the romex come into the shop. I have a very basic understanding of electrical work as I have changed out some outlet, switches, light fixtures and fans over the years but I would like to install all the new outlets, boxes wire runs and subpanel myself. I am looking for some good reference books to teach myself how to do this. Obviously I will have an electrician come out to double check everything and hook up the subpanel to the main line. Oh, and I will need a 220 outlet for the welder.

Also need lighting recs as it only has a single 2 tube florecent light hooked up via an extension cord. I am fine with getting the LED fixtures mentioned in the first stickied thread but am not sure about the light temp or how many since the ceiling in only about 10ft.

I appreciate any recommendations.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Hawk]

A list of things that may help answer your questions. Post location or nearby location so we can help with questions of building permits/regulations. What size is the supply line to your shop. Do you prefer aluminum or copper wire. How far from the box at the house is it to the shop. Welcome to GJ we will be glad to help.

 

[NTxAg]

A list of things that may help answer your questions. Post location or nearby location so we can help with questions of building permits/regulations. What size is the supply line to your shop. Do you prefer aluminum or copper wire. How far from the box at the house is it to the shop. Welcome to GJ we will be glad to help.

Rural East Texas, Tyler area. No clue on the supply line but if it isn't big enough I will have bigger service pulled. I have no preference, is one better than the other? House is to shop is about 60ish feet.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Heres some more questions and info for u:

What do u plan on running in the shop? Any big loads such as AC, heater, how water, tig plasma, air compressor, etc etc?

One man shop?

What size service at the house?

If its a one main shop, with minimal loads, #2 AL MHF(mobile home feeder) is the best bang for your buck. Costs about $1.50/ft

It can be direct buried but needs to be in conduit inside. Conduit is recommended for the whole distance. 2" would be great.

Subpanel needs an isolated neutral bar, which may require the purchase of a ground bar kit. Also, if u will have more than 6 breaker handles then u need a main disconnect in the panel. Grounding electrodes are also required.

The current feed will have to be abandoned.

Now u mentioned u have Romex feeding the shop. What color is it?

 

[NTxAg]

WD, short term the shop is just for general use. It is a single garage door and not big enough to get my truck through so any vehicle work will have to be in the garage/driveway. Mostly it will be wood working projects, some light welding, a lot of firearms work. I would like to be able to run a window unit or small AC in the future, for the winter months I think a space heater on a zwave controlled switch will be just fine. The shop isn't insulated at the moment. At most I imagine I would be running a 220v welder, air compressor and AC at the same time, maybe if I progress that far a dust collector. I just don't want to wire it now and have to redo it all in 4-5 years because it wasn't enough. I already have access to a few hundred yards of 12/3 and a ton of sockets and switches, so the cost has been mitigated a bit. I will get a pic of the existing wiring in just a bit.

 

[vartz04]

Those three items you have listed are 60-70 amps. I'd suggest a 100 amp service. That leaves you room for lights and what not. I assumed a 30 amp compressor a 30 amp welder and a 15 amp 120v window Ac unit. Easiest way to figure it out is determine the wattage of your devices that will be all on at the same time (volts x amps) add them all together and divide by 240 and you will roughly have your amp draw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[toby267]

Best reference book I've found is How to wire a house by Rex Caulfield. For lighting, check out the lighting sticky on the main forum page.

 

[Falcon67]

Those three items you have listed are 60-70 amps. I'd suggest a 100 amp service. That leaves you room for lights and what not. I assumed a 30 amp compressor a 30 amp welder and a 15 amp 120v window Ac unit. Easiest way to figure it out is determine the wattage of your devices that will be all on at the same time (volts x amps) add them all together and divide by 240 and you will roughly have your amp draw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not good assumptions - my building is twice his size and fused on the run with 70A. I would advice no less than a 20 space panel in the building with a main - those are typically 100A. I have found it helpful to have a main at the shop and also at the feed source so you can disconnect both the building and the run should needs require it. That will be your main issue - getting whatever from your house feed/meter/panel to the building panel. MHF is #2 AL, good for up to 90A and inexpensive by the foot. Pulls fairly easily through 2" plastic conduit.