I also mark the outlets and switches with, wait for it..... LABELS, that match back to the circuit in the box. For example, North Wall #1, North Wall #1, East Lights, Table Saw, etc.

Well since we are talking electrical, in the electrical panel, locate the breakers for the most used tools on opposite sides. This will help even out the load to you don't pull more on one leg and overload it. So if you run the DC and the Table Saw a lot at the same time, put those on breakers on opposite legs in the panel.

 

Ceiling outlets are also nice.

 

I'll add my jealosy here Fred. Looks huge but I bet you fill it quickly.  You might consider adding outlets in the ceiling also.  They sure come in handy, especially if you're cutting a large circle with a router trammel. 

My bench is a WORK bench. Not a piece of fine furniture. It's 8' long and 50" wide. So that I have easy access to power, I mounted two duplex boxes on each side, under the top, and one at each end. No worrys about short tool cords. 

Edited September 9, 20169 yr by Gene Howe

Bill, That's the plan. This is actually my third shop so i have a very good idea of how things will be. The outlets will be about 50" off the floor, and there will be a 240V outlet between each gang of 120V outlets. One thing I did in the last shop that I'm still on the fence over for this one. Each 120V outlet was actually a 2 gang box with 2 duplexes in them. But each duplex was on a separate circuit so i couldn't overload it by plugging in to many high-amp-draw tools (what Roly mentioned). But wiring that was a royal PITA, so I'm undecided about doing it that way this time...plus it almost doubles the amount of wire you need. the 120V will all be 20 amp circuits, most of the 240V will be as well, though there are several 240/30 amp circuits I need for a couple of tools.

1 hour ago, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

Bill, That's the plan. This is actually my third shop so i have a very good idea of how things will be. The outlets will be about 50" off the floor, and there will be a 240V outlet between each gang of 120V outlets. One thing I did in the last shop that I'm still on the fence over for this one. Each 120V outlet was actually a 2 gang box with 2 duplexes in them. But each duplex was on a separate circuit so i couldn't overload it by plugging in to many high-amp-draw tools (what Roly mentioned). But wiring that was a royal PITA, so I'm undecided about doing it that way this time...plus it almost doubles the amount of wire you need. the 120V will all be 20 amp circuits, most of the 240V will be as well, though there are several 240/30 amp circuits I need for a couple of tools.

 

I agree that it is twice the wire. However, if they are all wired to the same breaker, and it goes down, you've lost the whole wall that is on that one circuit. Wiring every other outlet box to an individual breaker ensures you always have power available. Even with 20amp circuits, it ensures that you don't overload the breaker. Chances are that if you are using several 110v tools in the same area  you can split the draws to two different breakers. This would lessen the chances of an overload.

 

In the scheme of things, if you are a one man shop the chances of overloading your circuits are probably very low. You have to have a lot of draw to shut down a circuit due to overload. Generally, it will be the result of faulty tools,  shorts, or the like, rather than overdraw.

3 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

 This is actually my third shop so i have a very good idea of how things will be. 

 

You have certainly been there and done that. Wow three shops, that's awesome. I like your idea on the duplex outlets. I will say I didn't do that in this addition, but now I wish I had.

 

I am putting motion detector light switches in so when you walk in the lights come on. If you have your arms full you don't have to elbow the light switch. I'm also putting in 4' LED lights in each room.

 

Looks great Fred, I'm following along.

That is going to be a great place to enjoy your woodworking and other hobbies.  Keep us posted on your progress. 

I will, but the next steps may be a while coming. Some other parts of life are getting in the way. This was actually finished at least a full month sooner than I thought it would be, I'm glad that's the case....but it will just be sitting for a short time.

Life has a tendency to do that. Take all the time you need...but hurry. We'll wait anxiously. 

On September 9, 2016 at 7:10 AM, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

Bill, That's the plan. This is actually my third shop so i have a very good idea of how things will be. The outlets will be about 50" off the floor, and there will be a 240V outlet between each gang of 120V outlets. One thing I did in the last shop that I'm still on the fence over for this one. Each 120V outlet was actually a 2 gang box with 2 duplexes in them. But each duplex was on a separate circuit so i couldn't overload it by plugging in to many high-amp-draw tools (what Roly mentioned). But wiring that was a royal PITA, so I'm undecided about doing it that way this time...plus it almost doubles the amount of wire you need. the 120V will all be 20 amp circuits, most of the 240V will be as well, though there are several 240/30 amp circuits I need for a couple of tools.

In a previous shop I did the 2 gang boxes with seperate duplex circuits in each box.  Worked out great, however, my original boxes were single circuits behind sheetrock. You think surface mounted boxes with 2 duplexes are a PITA to wire, try the ones in the wall.

On September 9, 2016 at 7:10 AM, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

Bill, That's the plan. This is actually my third shop so i have a very good idea of how things will be. The outlets will be about 50" off the floor, and there will be a 240V outlet between each gang of 120V outlets. One thing I did in the last shop that I'm still on the fence over for this one. Each 120V outlet was actually a 2 gang box with 2 duplexes in them. But each duplex was on a separate circuit so i couldn't overload it by plugging in to many high-amp-draw tools (what Roly mentioned). But wiring that was a royal PITA, so I'm undecided about doing it that way this time...plus it almost doubles the amount of wire you need. the 120V will all be 20 amp circuits, most of the 240V will be as well, though there are several 240/30 amp circuits I need for a couple of tools.

In a previous shop I did the 2 gang boxes with seperate duplex circuits in each box.  Worked out great, however, my original boxes were single circuits behind sheetrock. You think surface mounted boxes with 2 duplexes are a PITA to wire, try the ones in the wall.

On 9/8/2016 at 10:16 AM, schnewj said:

 

Don't give me the credit...that goes to Stick and his VOE. It just makes perfect sense.

 

Another mistake is mounting the outlets low on the wall, it isn't a house and your not trying to hide the outlets behind furniture. Mount them up so you don't have to bend over to plug or unplug something. Also, alternate the outlets on the wall on two separate breakers. If one goes then you can switch to the next one until you fix the problem.

I put my new outlets 52" off the floor.   Not only easy to reach, but I can lean plywood against the wall and not block the outlet.

 

A friend of mine was in SAC in the '60s.   New air base.   He said they did not put in any sidewalks just grass, but waited for a year to see where the footpaths were.  Once the patterns revealed themselves, they added sidewalks, then you had better not walk on the grass any longer.   And who said military intelligence was an oxymoron? 

 

And dang, I missed a turn to Indy yesterday and went thru Wapakoneta.

Edited September 12, 20169 yr by kmealy

13 hours ago, kmealy said:

I put my new outlets 52" off the floor.   Not only easy to reach, but I can lean plywood against the wall and not block the outlet.

 

And dang, I missed a turn to Indy yesterday and went thru Wapakoneta.

Did you wave as you went by?

1 hour ago, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

Did you wave as you went by?

Yes.   Stopped at Kroger in St. Marys for a 10-99 and lunch, then came through on 33 to I-75

For the record I'm about 4 miles from 75/33 interchange. Next time you're through stop over.

I would rather have the 200 amp panel. Had to get on in my shop when I added central A/C to it. As to outlets put at bench height and duplex them every 4 feet. It is amazing how many plugs there are and plugging and unplugging get to be old (even older than me). Even If I had done this at my lathe I still would be 2 short.