The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Shop conduit layout - finally!

Out of desperation, I am installing the shop conduit myself.
HERE IS A SHORT VIDEO

Sounds like a really good plan.
When I did mine, I had many double duplex outlets over the workbench, you seem to need them all. Also, one of the best things I put in my shop was a 220v tankless water heater under the sink, cheap and hot water for washing hands is a must.

Have you considered LED for lighting? I, too, have stick built a 20x30 garage the past year. I used 6 can lights in the upper crosstie and 4 4' led shoplights on each side. So far it looks like enough lighting. Once I finish the insulation I intend to use galvanized corrugated tin for the entire ceiling which will reflect more light. I have enjoyed following your garage thread and Youtube post. I will post some pictures as soon as I get a phone/camera that actually works. Have fun and good luck
Dan

All of my lighting will be LED. There will be 32 four foot LED bulbs up on the ceiling. That calculates out to 96 lumens per SF. I’ll have additional LED lighting above the workbench & toolbox areas. I should have plenty of lighting.
My shop will be bright.

You will have a small fortune in lighting there but you will not be short of light. I love the LEDs, really the only way to go now these days.

Yes. Small fortune but no regrets. Do it right. Do it once.

What a great looking shop with plenty of great lighting. I was thinking of adding a few more lights to my shop and it looks like those LED's might be the way to go!
Thanks for the great video. Keep up the excellent work!

Just a friendly reminder. Did you install a ground rod and #6 wire to your panel?

The electrician I hired did put a ground rod into the earth just outside the shop wall. However, I found a piece of ground rod laying in the yard.
I'll bet you a dozen donuts that he hit something hard and just cut it off. He seemed like a good choice but I soon learned the mistake I had made.
He's fired. I'll remove the rod and put in a new rod if this one isn't right.

Dont remove it, just add another one beside it and jumper wire. Most new construction requires two rods now, at least in my county and state.

Do I need to drill down? He may have hit the footing or a big rock. I’d have the same problem. I’m not more clever than the rest, just more honest than my electrician.

Not sure about city/county codes where you are AHJ ( Authority having jurisdiction) Supersedes the NEC if more stringent
but new panels now require two ground rods 6 feet apart & #4 copper wire connecting them to each other then the ground bar in the panel

🎩

Here in SC, it's good enough if we just run a coat hanger out the window to the rusty car up on blocks. (but it has to be a wire coat hanger - plastic ones don't meet code).

Step out away from the building about 12-16" and drive the ground rods down spacing them at least 6' apart. If you hit something deep, dig a trench about 12" deep, bend the rod over and then bend it back up at the end so the top of the rod is flush with grade (making a big offset). The code says there needs to be 8' buried in the ground , it doesn't have to be straight up and down. Connect everything together with one continuous piece of #6 Solid Copper from the Ground Bar to the furthest rod. Leave the ground clamps at the top of the rod exposed for the inspector to see...it's ok to cover everything in between.

Also, make sure you have a separate Ground Bar and a non-bonded Neutral Bar at the garage panel...do not install the Bonding screw or lug that comes with the panel, you only do that at the Main Service (next to the meter).

Mike B

Mike B is absolutely correct. You can just lay the conductor in the trench. This is pretty common where you have alot of rocky terrain and driving a rod is near impossible.

Depending on the inspector, sometimes they'll allow you to just ground to your re-bar.

and yes, always pull a separate ground to your main panel.

Well, I knew it! I just had to prove it to myself. The ground rod was only buried 38”. Then they just cut it off. I’m so glad I fired this guy and his crew before he ran up a big bill.
Video link.
So I’ll need to drive another rod into the ground, or can I just use 2 four foot pieces?

Two eight footers is code out here in Phoenix 🎩

Call the local utility or city. The length and spacing required is based off ground resistance. In my area two 8 ft 5/8 copper coated steel or zinc coated must be minimum 7 ft apart and have an unbroken #4 copper conductor run back to the panel board.

Like the others said...(2) 8' rods...the conductor also has to be solid copper wire.

Mike B