How many circuits should i run for my new 30x24 workshop?

Question

i bought a book that is very helpful for electric, codes and how to's and anything that i need to know about running electric, but i haven't found an answer on how many circuits for my recepticles, 2 220 outlets, lights and switch, fridge, and whatever else i would need. i want to run an outlet every 6 feet, so i would have quite a few outlets. please help give me a good idea on this, i am going to start this weekend.

Answer 1

I have found that a good rule of thumb is separate the lighting into two circuits. Making sure to stagger the lights. This way if the circuit trips then you still have half of the lights working. Next I would run 1 20amp breaker for outlets on each wall. You will want to have each 220 outlet on its our breaker. Definitely keep the beer fridge on it's our breaker. The only other suggestion would be to have each stand alone tool on a separate breaker (IE drill press, table sander, band saw). Hope this helps

Answer 2

What size service are you installing for the shop? How many available spaces for breakers are in the panel for the shop? You need to start at the beginning and plan from there. What type and wattage for lights? How many lights? Size of the 240 volt circuits? Keep in mind that with one person, you are using just one or two power tools at a time. So you can have lots of receptacles, but only be using one or two at a time. Use # 12 wire with 20 amp circuits for the 120 volt receptacles. Multi wire circuits work great in shops. That would be 2 circuits with a shared neutral using 12-3 wire for the 120 volt receptacles. Much better than a whole wall on one circuit. Hold down the need for extension cords across the floor from another circuit. Email if you need more help.

Answer 3

John has some good clear ideas, but if I can add anything, it would be to alternate outlets on breakers. this can be done without too much extra wiring by running two hots and neutrals on each run. The reason for this is many times you will run a tool and a shop vac at the same time. Shop vacs can be juice hogs, so to have them a separate circuit can help. More breakers is always better! Also dedicate as many tools to a location and power drop with a breaker for each.

Good luck, and we are all envious of the shop already!

Answer 4

Number of outlets per circuit is usually based on anticipated load for the circuit but there is no maximum...I suggest you try to determine how the outlets will be used, if possible, on a continous basis, the total watts needed and calculate the needs of the circuits accordingly based on 80 percent of total watts available. For instance, a 20 amp circuit at 110 volts has a maximum wattage of 2200 watts....if you take 80 percent of that for a safe working load, you get 1760 usuable watts per circuit. Depending on how many outlets you use in that circuit, you are restricted to using no more than 1760 watts for safety sake in powering tools, lights, heaters,fans, etc. If you feel you'll need more watts in a certain area, then add another circuit to compensate. One circuit per wall is a good guideline but not always --- best to determine where you'll use the power most often and concentrate your circuits in that area if possible.
http://www.codecheck.com/numberoutlets.htm

Answer 5

You'll need at least 7 circuits. One for each of your 220 outlets, atleast one for your lighting circuit, depending on the type and amount of lights you are going to use, atleast 2 for your wall outlets and I would put fridge on a dedicated circuit but may not be necessary. You can only put 6 wall outlets on one curcuit so if you have 12 outlets in garage you will need 2 circuits. Are you planning on having your lighting work off of one switch or are you going to zone it where they work off of more than one switch. Knowing what lighting and how many you plan to use will tell more of how many lighting curcuits will be needed. My best recommendation would be 7, better to have too many than not enough, especially in a work shop.

Answer 6

If you are going to run a micro wave, It should be on a circuit and breaker by it's self. Any window a.c. should also. Washers are OK on the rest of the circuits. Electric dryer Need it's own . TVs computers, and everyday appliances can all be in one circuit. Outside outlets and those in the bath and close to the kitchen sink should be ground fault outlets. lighting can run off one circuit and breaker and switch. (1 to 6 double fluorescent. Wire outlets off one circuit parallel with one another. Going from breaker box to outlet from there to the next, to the next, ect. If you think you may have too much on one outlet circuit, run another circuit and breaker. never run, attach, more than one circuit (wire) to any one breaker in you're breaker box. I kinda doubt you will have all kinds of tools going at one time, but if you have more than say 5 outlets with something running on all 5, you might run the rest off another circuit and breaker.Extra circuits never hurt. Clocks don't count. Suggest no.12 with Gound on 110 volt. 220 use no.10 /gr. on it. If you are going to use a stick welder, use No.8 wire or 6. The lower the no., the bigger the wire. run no 6 or 4 from meter to you're breaker box. And there should be no more than 8 feet from the meter to the box.

Answer 7

Definitley obey your local codes. They are the minimum that is required though. Take a look at them and then ask yourself if you would like to split things up even further. You could put every switch and receptacle on a different breaker if you want. It really is about how much control you would like to have over the electricity in your workshop. Use the local code as a starting point and then customize for your own preferences.