As a part of my new year resolution plan I am thinking of honing my wood working skills further by practicing it at home more often. I am still in the basic beginners level and I am attending classes three times a week. I am thinking of building a workshop so that I could practice in the evening and the weekends.I would be required to wire the workshop. What wiring option would be best - aluminum or copper? I have searched online and both seem equally beneficial. I have already contacted some home electricians  but they have not started on any work yet. Looking forward for some quick replies soon.  

I prefer copper.   My service entrance drop is aluminum - 4 ought...everything else is copper...

+1 for copper. There may be electrical code restrictions for the size and type of wire in your area. A licensed electrician can sort it all out. 

I would also say copper for the wiring. The drop to your new workshop could probably be aluminum, but that is a question for a licensed electrician

I'm currently doing mine (well, not at the moment...it's 0º outside). As mentioned, copper on the inside though the feed to the subpanel is aluminum. Should you choose aluminum (strongly suggest you not do that) the breakers have to be rated for that use. Folks my age from this region still remember a fire at a place called The Beverly Hills Supper Club in northern KY in the late 70's that killed 165 people. the cause was using aluminum wire on breakers not rated for that use.

Edited January 6, 20179 yr by Fred W. Hargis, Jr

Another thought: when you decide on the size of the shop, build it at least 3 times bigger. You won't be sorry.

1 minute ago, Texaswally said:

Another thought: when you decide on the size of the shop, build it at least 3 times bigger. You won't be sorry.

Totally agree.

just finished my shop about 1-1/2 years ago, 25x50, 12' ceiling, quad outlets every 4 feet, 100A service, heated, LED ceiling lights, white painted drywall walls and ceiling, windows on all sides (8' up) to let in natural light, smooth concrete floor.  awesome.  yes, copper wiring.  don't even think about aluminum branch wiring.  not worth the hassle.

Aluminum was banned here many years ago for the same reason Fred Hargis mentioned. Way too many fires caused by it! Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, and in time this movement can loosen the screw terminals in the receptacles and switches. Using Al-approved fixtures does not entirely eliminate this problem.... my daughter bought a house built in the 1970's, wired with Al. She told me that several switches were not working properly. The wires were basically just lying there, sparking whenever the switch was used. I went through the entire house and checked every switch and receptacle... about one in four were loose!

     Save a few dollars on wire? What's the cost of burnt home?

John

back in the 70s, copper had a huge price spike, many times more costly than aluminum.  if you were building houses, and buying tons of wiring, it made financial sense to save a few bucks and go aluminum.  but now, knowing the downsides of Al, and with the price differential much less, it's just not worth the headache.

 

like things you build, do it right, do it once, sleep well.

  I would stay with 12-2 w/grd copper (Romex). Good for 20 amp breakers and readily available. Buy plugs rated for 20 amps. When drilling 2x4 wall studs stay in the center, larger wall studs, 2x6, stay 1 1/2" back from the face. Secure the wire to the stud within 12" when entering a box.

  If your still in the planning stages try to layout your power tools, tablesaw, bandsaw, lathe, sanders. When wiring you could bring separate circuits to those pieces of equipment. Dab's idea of plugs is spot on, never can have enough & this keeps the cords shorter. Doesn't hurt to put one or two plugs in the ceiling for fans or air filtration.

Edited January 6, 20179 yr by DuckSoup

2 hours ago, DuckSoup said:

  I would stay with 12-2 w/grd copper (Romex). Good for 20 amp breakers and readily available. Buy plugs rated for 20 amps. When drilling 2x4 wall studs stay in the center, larger wall studs, 2x6, stay 1 1/2" back from the face. Secure the wire to the stud within 12" when entering a box.

  If your still in the planning stages try to layout your power tools, tablesaw, bandsaw, lathe, sanders. When wiring you could bring separate circuits to those pieces of equipment. Dab's idea of plugs is spot on, never can have enough & this keeps the cords shorter. Doesn't hurt to put one or two plugs in the ceiling for fans or air filtration.

 

i also put several outlets in the ceiling, so i could add drop down cords later on.  30' cords on spool reels.  have them adjusted so they don't hit my head, but i can easily reach them.  good for doing work in the middle of the shop, away from the walls.

Copper. That is what I ran to mine. 100 amp service from your house will work. 

 

I'm an electrician and i say stay away form aluminum....