me and my bright ideas

[ergeist]

Went to the hardware store in search of a power strip today. The plan was to plug all my power tools into a couple of power strips, since I will only be running one tool at a time, it can't overload the circuit, right? That was true in the garage where I have a 20 amp circuit, but as the guy pointed out, they tend to run only 15 amp circuits in unfinished basements where the only electrical needed is for lights (not counting the dedicated circuit for the furnace fan) DOHHHHHHHHHHH The band saw only pulls 7, and the Lathe, drill press, and jointer pull about the same, but the planer, and RAS (to be replaced with a good table saw) pull 15

This is a bit of a mixed blessing though- Now, since I have to run all new wiring anyway (only have 14 guage wire) I can justify putting in two or three circuits. one for the tools, one for lighting, and if I can make enough room in the breaker box, one for dust collection. If I dont have enough room for a dedicated dust collector circuit, I will make the light circuit 30 amp as well, and run the dust collection off of it. I can also put an outlet exactly where I need it for a particular tool, rather than moving a tool where it will reach an outlet.
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Eric

[papadave]

i don't recommend running the DC on the light circuit. should something happen to the DC and it pops the breaker, you will be left in the dark with running tools. consult a electrician, but if i recall, you can remove a standard size 15 amp breaker and replace it with 2 slim 15 amp breakers. this would keep the lights on one circuit and the DC on another.
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david

Doing nothing is very hard to do - you never know when your finished.

[Wood Wizard]

Not a good idea. The lamp wiring is only 14 gauge and will over heat or possibly burn before a 20 amp or 30 amp breaker will pop. What ever circuit breaker you put in, be sure ALL wiring on that circuit is of the proper gauge.
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Click to learn more about me, The Wood Wizard

[ergeist]

I did some research today, and it looks like DC's range anywhere from 6.8 to 15 amp draw in the 120 volt range, so it looks like I will be trying to put in a dedicated circuit for the DC. This will probably wind up being a 12 guage wiring with a 20 amp breaker. The circuit for the power tools (all other outlets) are going to be on a 30 amp with 12 guage wiring. Even doing this, I will still wind up putting in some more duplex breakers to make room in my box. This will be fine, because I am not adding more of a power demand- just moving the demand to a different location. I had thought about simply replacing the existing wiring with 12 ga,30 amp and using one circuit for everything, but I really prefer to keep my demand under half of the rated capability (less heat=longer lasting components), plus it would really limit the kind of DC I could use.
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Eric

[recon]

Eric,
How about if you put in a sub-panel for your tools?

[ergeist]

That is an option, Chuck, but if I have the room in the main box, it really becomes an unecessary additional cost. The area of the basement I am putting the shop is actually a relatively short run from the panel in the garage. The only advantage I would really gain, is the ability to switch off the breakers without walking upstairs.
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Eric

[Wrong #]

[ergeist]

you make a good point- I will have to give it some more thought- I suppose that will also give me flexibilty should I ever come across a deal I cant pass up on a 220v saw
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Eric

[JLMCDANIEL]

30 amp breaker with 12 gauge wire is not to code you need 10 gauge wire for a 30 amp circuit. Or 20 amp breaker with 12 gauge. Personally I would run 6 gauge on a 50 amp breaker and put in a subpanel in the shop.
Jack
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Be sure you live your life, because you are a long time dead.-Scottish Proverb