Workbench power outlets: Front edge, or back wall?

[dwasifar]

Building some stationary workbenches, and trying to decide whether to put outlets under the front overhang or on the wall behind or both. I will be using both stationary tools (grinder, miter saw, etc) and handheld.

On the wall behind seems like the customary choice and works better for stationary tools. Under the overhang keeps handheld tool cords from draping across the workspace, and I could cut cable ports to drop the stationary tools' cords through, but I might bump into the protruding cords while moving around working.

Opinions?

 

[knobby]

My vote is under the bench. Couple of years back I tossed a coil of STOW wire on to my workbench and the stripped end of the pigtail managed to insert its self into the hot side of the back of bench mounted receptacle. Learned a valuable lesson on Murphy's law that day.

 

[bpjr]

My main workbench is 6' long with a single shelf built on the back (it was pro built for techs to use with electronic test equipment). It has 4 quad boxes mounted on the bench at each end facing forward. Two are up on the shelf and two are under the edge of the work top...this makes it easy to plug multiple lights and tools without cords all over the place. Everything is hard wired to a heavy duty cord with plug for plugging into a house outlet. My other benches have one quad mounted on each bench with same plugged into house power.

 

[Dagny]

Both

 

[Richard Cranium]

when I had mine on the front, cords kept getting caught in the drawers.

 

[Rarified27]

I like both.

Chargers use the ones on the back and corded tools use the ones on the front. Keeps the work space clear and batteries within reach.

 

[The Cobbler]

both

 

[seber]

I've tried it either way. I bow have both.

 

[Fialaja]

can never have enough outlets, so why not do both? Can’t hurt

 

[tarmy]

Both...

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Both

 

[rpcraft]

I vote for under an overhead shelf or up high on the wall to avoid any debris getting in the sockets. The other day I was mounting my 12 position bar after moving from my old apartment to my new house and I will admit to doing some grinding and having some metal flakes shooting around it. I previously had it mounted flat on the bench and apparently some metal flakes and bits got in there and when I plugged it in I got a nice **** and all the magix smoke let out and tripped the circuit breaker. Also let my bhole pucker up a fair amount. So, lesson learned, lol.

 

[Fialaja]

How about outlets with weatherproof covers so nothing gets in?

 

[BikerDad]

Another vote for both, because it really depends on what it is that's plugged in and what you're doing with it.

 

[BillK]

I have both. Ones in the front for temporary use. Drills, soldering iron etc. The ones on the wall are for test equipment that stays put and lights etc.

 

[keith204]

Wherever you put them, orient them like so:
* Ground prong on left
* Neutral on top right
* Hot on bottom right

That will keep your life electrically boring when conductive things fall off the work bench or off the wall.

Also, when doing grinding/sanding/etc make sure there's an easy way to block them if they're in the path of debris.

 

[dwasifar]

Wherever you put them, orient them like so:
* Ground prong on left
* Neutral on top right
* Hot on bottom right

That will keep your life electrically boring when conductive things fall off the work bench or off the wall.

Strangely, every outlet in my house is oriented exactly the opposite way - ground prong on the right - and I've been wondering why. I suppose I should rotate them.

Well, almost every one. When I ran new 20A service out to the garage, I mounted them in pairs vertically, with the ground prong up.

EDIT: I did a little looking into it, and apparently the reason they put the grounds to the right is so that if an outlet is knocked loose, the hot screw won't be on the bottom side to ground out to the mud ring.

 

[jonshonda]

I have outlets at the back, and often wish I had them at the front. It just seems like when using corded tools the cord likes to hang down from outlets in the front better and the tools is more comfortable to use. I have also thought about doing a pull out tray under the work bench to put the tools one when I am using multiple tools but need the space on the bench to work.

 

[ryan20021982]

I started with only on the back wall and added some under the bench after, I always seem to knock stuff off the bench or knock stuff over if I use the outlets on the back when I'm not using a tool that sits on the bench.