I realized some of this may be dependant on local codes but any general info is appreciated.
I am adding a workbench out in my garage and as part of that I’d like to add a four or five electrical outlets along the top of the bench. Basically, I have roughly analyzed my needs. I’ve drawn the wiring diagrams and calculated the expected amperage (it probably will never come close to 20 but I may expand the work area at some point in the future so I’ll probably go with 30 amp circuit). I also have a preliminary list of materials. I’m plenty capable of doing this myself and making it work but I’d really like to make this legit so I plan on fully conforming to local code and having this certified by an electrician.
My two questions are:
When should I make first contact with the electrician?
What is the general process of getting this approved / certified?
It totally depends on your local building inspector. Some will allow you to do electrical work, some won’t. If you do go the building inspector route, then they will come and do the inspection themselves – I don’t know if an electrician has to be involved. (In other words, talk to your local building inspector. )
As for your plans, I would go with two independent 20 Amp circuits rather than a 30. Unless you get a monster 220V table saw, nothing you use will ever use 30 Amps. But two beefy tools running on a single circuit may draw excessive current. And if you have a work light plugged into the circuit, you’ll be happy to have it remain on even if a power tool on the other circuit draws too much current.
Couple of things, you can`t run convenience outlets on a 30amp circuit. You CAN run as many 20amp circuits as you like however.
The 30amp circuit may be needed for a 220volt table saw or welder, for instance.
**My two questions are:
When should I make first contact with the electrician?
What is the general process of getting this approved / certified? **
Youve just done the first. Do you mean hiring one to do the wiring, or just to inspect it? The task may require you to pull a permit and have ALL the wiring done by an electrician and then inspected by the proper inspector. Youll have to call city hall to get the specifics. If you do the wiring yourself and you pull a permit you won`t need an electrician, however the inspector may be more critical of your installation than otherwise.
The second. Call City Hall and get the info. (most people would just do the work themselves and not get anyone involved, this is only for those who have lots of experience). You may have the ides well on paper, but actually doing the work safely and up to code is a different manner.
I think you should contact an electrician now. You say that you will “probably go with a 30 amp circuit.” Most houses have only one or two 30 amp circuits like for a clothes dryer or electric range. So you will probably have to start a whole new circuit with #10 wire from the breaker panel (for fuze panel if you have an old house).
Just as an aside. Unless you intend to run some pretty big machinery, I would stick to a 20 amp circuit.
Thanks - one 20 amp circuit would really be enough. The lights are on a separate circuit already (with the garage door opener). I’m not talking a real workshop here… maybe using a 3/8 drill or skill saw while having small box fan running. No welders or 220 table saws. This in the corner of my garage and I would be the only one to ever use it and I can only operate one piece of machinery at a time. I guess the term convenience outlet summarizes it.
Yes, this will be a whole new circuit from the breaker panel.
one way is to find an electrician buddy (friend of a friend) that will supervise you to pull the wiring and do all the grunt work, like buying the parts, getting the permit etc. When you have finished, he can come in and complete the final wiring to the box etc. You may need to find an electrican that is looking for a little extra cash, but doesn’t have a lot of time. The inspector shouldn’t care who pulls the wires as long as the final connection is done by a licensed electrician. Lets face it, if there is an assistant for the electrican, that guy isn’t licensed.
Right. mostly.
I myself am not licensed per say. The fellow that owns the company and pulls the permits is the only guy that needs the license. I however am a union journeyman electrician and can legally perform all the work needed under a proper permit. I just cant pull the permit myself in most areas. This is because I am not bonded and insured to pull permits - I also havent taken the Masters test which is needed if you are to pull the permits. All this stuff varies from state to state and even within states. The Masters test-which I could take and pass if needed-requires a fee to take and a yearly renewal process with additional fees.
The permit, if pulled, will state that all the work will be done by a licensed electrician. If I were to pull the permit through my boss then I would be working under HIS license and everything would be legal.
**. Lets face it, if there is an assistant for the electrican, that guy isn’t licensed. **
Under this scenario, the helper would be working under the license of his boss, so technically he is licensed.
You the homeowner are not covered under the license.