How to Wire a Garage Woodshop

If you are wiring a garage woodshop, you need to decide how many circuits you will need and how you will supply them power. Here's some things you should think about.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. TAKE INVENTORY - What will be the power consumers in your garage workshop? If you are setting up a full shop, it may include: table saw, band saw, drill press, jointer table, thickness planer, dust collection, miter saw, combination sander, etc. plus various hand power tools. Inspect each of you heavy machinery tools - each has a label affixed - to determine the amount of current required.

2. Table Saw options - many table saws can run on either 110v or 220v lines. If you run 220v the saw will use half the current and run cooler, extending its life. 220v will probably provide a more continuous power source as well for better cutting.

3. Other machines - while other heavy machines may also run on 220v (and it may even be desirable) most home garage workshops I've seen run 110v / 20amp breakers for the other equipment. This is normally adequate. In a garage, consider wiring 2 or 3 circuits around the 3 walls to plug in tools, spreading power consumption out among them.

4. Dust Collection - if you install a dedicated dust collection unit, 1hp or 1.5hp home use type, you probably should consider a dedicated circuit just for that machine. Because the DC will be activitated in combination with other heavy cutters, providing a separate circuit will ensure the DC and the cutting machine each get a strong power supply.

5. Fluroescent Lighting - Lighting is normally given its own dedicated circuit even though it pulls a fairly small amount of current. A dedicated circuit keeps the lighting continuous (no dimming when other machines are turned on). And because the lighting is almost always on continuously, and used simultaneous to other devices, a dedicated line just makes that much more sense.

6. Sub-Panel? If your garage will require 4+ circuits you may want to consider installing an electrical sub-panel in your garage. Its not uncommon to run a 100A line into a garage sub panel and then run your circuits out of that. Locating a sub-panel in your garage makes it conveniently accessible - also also easy to lock up if you want to keep the kids out.

Tips & Warnings

• Hire a qualified electrician before attempting to wire anything yourself unless you are completely confident and sure about what you are doing.