Important Factor: Find out if the Main Service or the Panel that will supply the circuit to the workshop has adequate Load Capacity and space for the circuit breaker.
How big will the workshop be? (Square Feet)
This will be used to size any heating or air conditioning units as well as help you lay out the electrical wiring for workshops with outlets for work benches and stand alone equipment such as drill presses, table saws, welders etc.
Select the right box for your application.
Make a List of all the things you will use to help you plan your electrical wiring for workshops.
Workshop Electrical Circuit Wiring Options
120 volt devices:
Lighting
Electrical outlets for Hand Tools
Bench Mounted Equipment
Refrigerator
240 volt equipment:
Air Conditioner
Air Compressor
Welder
Sub-Panel Considerations:
Correct amperage for all loads and future requirements.
Room for Full Size Circuit Breakers for all your circuits.
120/240 Volt Sub-Panel Circuit Requirements Electrical Wire Colors of a 4-Wire System consisting of:
2-Insulated Power Conductors (Black & Red)
1-Insulated Neutral Conductor (White)
1-Ground Conductor
(Bare or Green)
Workshop Circuits Wired and and Ready for Projects
How should I Install a Panel in my Workshop for a Welder? How to Plan Your Garage or Workshop Electrical Wiring, Selecting the Type and Size Panel for a Workshop, Example of Properly Sizing a Workshop Panel.
Does garage electrical wiring have to be protected with conduit? How to Install Garage Electrical Wiring on a Concrete Wall, Methods for Installing Electrical Conduit for Surface Mounted Electric Wiring.
How to Wire an Automatic Vacuum Control for Shop Tools: Power Tools and a Shop Vac or a House Vacuum System, Automating a Whole House Vacuum System for Shop Tools
Question from Ken in Granite Shoals, Texas: What size wire is needed for Wiring Workshop Lights and Outlets?
I’m putting up a metal building workshop and wiring for 110volts. I’m planning to run a light circuit and a circuit for smaller electrical tools, both 15 amp circuits. What size wire is needed to run 40 ft. from main panel to the junction box? What size breaker at main panel? Can wiring be exposed Romex or does have to be in conduit?
Dave’s Answer: Electrical Wiring for a Workshop
I would highly encourage you to consider installing a sub panel in the new workshop that will have enough amperage capacity for your planned electrical circuit loads, and any possible future equipment that may be added. Once the workshop calculated loads have been established the size of the sub panel may be known. The wire size for the workshop sub panel will depend on the method used for the wiring, such as using an underground conduit or overhead wiring, and if copper or aluminum wire will be used. Consult the wire size calculator found on this website which will help you select the right wire size for the distance of the wire run. The workshop should not have exposed wiring, therefore it is best to protect the wiring by installing electrical conduit and metal boxes at each device location.
Installing Workshop Receptacles
How Many Workshop Receptacles on a GFCI Circuit
Question from Bruce:
How many receptacles can I put down stream after a GFCI? I am running a 15 amp circuit in my new workshop with 12-2 wire.
This electrical question came from: Bruce, a Handyman from La Mesa, California.
Dave's reply:
Bruce, for a workshop application it will really depend on what the receptacles will be used for or what will be plugged into the receptacles. The other consideration is how many of these tools or devices will be operated at the same time. If these receptacles are for general purpose and conveniently located and the circuit load will be low then you can place as many as you wish, 10 or may be 12. The point is that you will be limited by the amperage of the circuit, not how many receptacles you actually have. I guess the easiest way to explain this is that just because you have 10 receptacles does not mean that there is a load on the circuit, that only happens once tools or equipment is plugged in and is being used. By the way, if 12-2 wire is being installed then the circuit breaker may be sized at 20 amps, not 15 amps.
Installing Workshop Wiring
Should I Install Electrical Conduit or Cable Wiring in my Workshop?
Question from Clyde:
I am about to start wiring my steel frame shop building for my 240 V air compressor, welders, and auto lift, plus assorted lights and outlets for power tools. Do I need to run all of the wiring through conduit or can I use Romex?
Dave's reply:
Clyde, If the finished walls will be open so that the wiring will be exposed then the electrical wiring will need to be installed in conduit to provide protection. However, if the walls will be finished off with a covering such as sheet rock that will provide protection for the wiring then Romex type cable may be installed as long as it is permissible in your area. Be sure to ask your local building department when you obtain your permit and they will inform you.
Home Electrical Wiring
Wire a GFCI Outlet without a Ground Wire
Helping You Wire it Right
NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos Will Display at the End of This Video So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!
Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handywomen, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!
The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets
UL Listed
Light indicates if wiring is incorrect
Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!
The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..
The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.
RELATED
Electric Panel Wiring for a Workshop
Gary asks: I’m building a Workshop. I plan on putting in 100 amp breaker panel with a main breaker. The power will be run underground from the back of the house to the left side of the garage. I also want to run a separate 2″ schedule 40 conduit, to run wires for telephone, cable, intercom, etc. between the house and the garage. These would be run at a later date. How much interference if any will there be, to the telephone and cable by burying them in the same trench with the main power line in the same trench?
Dave’s Reply:
Typically there is at least a one foot separation between the two conduits in the trench. This separation will help keep EMF interference from occurring between the electrical power conduit and the communication conduit. To reduce the possibility of EMF noise interference problems between cables it is always best to install communication cables that are shielded with the outer metallic shielding. This shielding is then grounded at one end of the cable to help suppress the EMF noise.
Wiring a 220 Volt Air Compressor How to Install a 220 Volt Air Compressor Circuit: Electrical Circuit Requirements, 220 Volt Single Phase and 220 Volt 3 Phase
Converting a 120 Volt Motor to 240 Volts How to Convert the Electrical Circuit Voltage for a Motor: There are multiple problems here. You and the electrician did not discuss exactly what the 240 volt outlet would be used for. This is a big mistake, and I'm amazed that the electrician did not ask you what the circuit would be used for.
How to Wire a 3 Phase Air Compressor How is an air compressor wired and where do the wires go? Wiring a 3 Phase Motor for an Air Compressor, The Basic Requirements for Wiring Electric Motors, 3 Phase Motor Circuits.
What Size Sub-Panel Should I Install for My Garage? How to Install a Sub Panel for a Garage: Where to Begin when Installing a Sub Panel for a Garage, Planning for a Sub Panel, Identify the Sub Panel Circuits, Sizing a Garage Sub Panel, 120 Volt and 240 Volt Circuits, Planning for Future Circuits.
Electrical Wiring for a Garage Workshop Installing an Electric Panel for a Detached Garage: Electric Codes for a Detached Garage Panel, Can I use a Main Lug Only Electric Panel Load Center for a detached garage?
Adding Circuits to an Electrical Panel How do I add new circuits to my electrical breaker panel for new equipment that I will be installing? Evaluating the Electrical Load Capacity of a Panel, Identify Circuit Requirements.
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the panel circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for home wiring projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
» How To Wire It RIGHT!« Wire it with Confidence! Fully Illustrated Instant Download Now You Can Wire it like a Pro!
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