Help with compressor wiring and shop lighting

[bdahlg68]

Planning a couple of shop upgrades in the next few weeks and am looking for some input.

First - compressor wiring. Here (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200479713_200479713)is the compressor i'm planning on getting. Draws 16 amps when running. Should this run on a 20a or 30a breaker? Also, i need to run 50-75 ft of wire to get to the main panel in the basement of the house. Should I run 10 or 8 wire? Does it need to be run in conduit if it is not in the wall? Lastly, any recommendation on hardwire vs plug receptacle?

Second - lighting.
I have 3 standard single bulb receptacles currently. I want to change these to some flourescent shop lights... thinking about these (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-2-Light-High-Output-Multi-Volt-T5-Fluorescent-Wraparound-LB-2-54T5HO-MVOLT-MVPS/203124228#.UWV11KLktEo). Anyone have any other recommendations or recommend to stay away from the T5HO's? Cieling height varies from about 10ft to about 12 or 13 ft.

[renegade6]

I just wired my garage and the best thing I did was buy a book on home wiring, covered a lot of details that aren't easy to find on the net and it was easy to access when I was doing the install.

For the compressor 20 Amps should be fine and 10 ga wire. Whether it is a receptacle or hard wired is up to you, depends if you need the outlet for something else.

[revmopar]

10 ga wire on a 30 amp breaker will be fine. T5ho lamps are really nice and put out a lot of light

[rugbyguy]

Just wanted to make sure that you realize this is a 220v unit. This means you will need to use a double 20 amp. I would also suggest running 8/3 wire and a double 40 amp breaker. If it gets cold(below freezing) your compressor will draw a little more amperage to get started, also you never know when you are going to possibly purchase another piece of equipment that may require 220v. This way do it once and forget about it. As for running the wire thru the wall or using conduit I would check with your local building codes. Your home insurance and building inspector can get kinda sticky on these issues.

I would also use a recommend A plug receptacle. This allows you to switch out cords if you get an oven to do powder coating.

Just a thought
Mack

[rugbyguy]

One more thing about your lights. You may want to run two types of light. On one circuit you can run some halogen pot light. I believe you can run 10 (max) individual lights on one 15amp breaker with 14/2 wire. The other 2 circuits can be the T50 units. Once again if it gets cold in your area the T50 lights can take a while to come on, while the halogen pot lights will work no problem in the cold.

Cheers
Mack

[another69]

Conduit is best, especially when exposed, and the breaker should be sized to protect the wire. The compressor itself generally has its own motor protection. The compressor should have a recommended circuit amp size on the name plate. In your case a 30 amp (dual) circuit breaker with 10 gauge wire would likely be the best way to go. Avoid romex. Hardwired with a disconnect is best for permanent installations, but if its more convenient there is nothing wrong with an appropriate receptacle.

[Sparks67]

One more thing about your lights. You may want to run two types of light. On one circuit you can run some halogen pot light. I believe you can run 10 (max) individual lights on one 15amp breaker with 14/2 wire. The other 2 circuits can be the T50 units. Once again if it gets cold in your area the T50 lights can take a while to come on, while the halogen pot lights will work no problem in the cold.

Cheers
Mack

The one guy posted T5-HO, not T50. I have T5-HO lights in my garage, and they come on in seconds with electronic ballast. These fixtures are a little more expensive, but you save more in electricity. My ceiling height is at 10 feet, and it works out great. I had these units for about 4 years, and no problems with them. The brand that I have is a bit more expensive, but has better diffuser. Here is the brand in parking garages. http://www.zumtobel.us/PDB/teaser/EN/ZSLI_FZ%20800%20Brochure.pdf My old lighting was 2 single bulbs, but it take around 8 fixtures for T-8. Although, it only took 2 T5-HO fixtures.


Jeff

[bdahlg68]

Trialed a T5HO light and it's great. Comes on in less than a second. Have a second one ready to install and will be picking up a third and maybe more. Glad they are wrapped fixtures just in case something ever flies up in the air in the garage. They start out pretty bright, but not at 100%. They do get brighter like a typical CFL as they warm up.

Still contemplating the wiring of the compressor. There is a bonus room above my garage. I could just run from the basement up to there and then over and back down and maybe avoid conduit all together (or at least minimize the run). I have the 10/2 + ground romex already and a 30A breaker ready. Really don't want to deal with a ton of conduit in the garage. Plus I would need to exchange the Romex then for some THHN wire. Not a huge deal, but may be avoidable. We will see. I know the electrician who wired my house and I think he will help me out for cheap. Going to see what he thinks and go from there.

[RdHuggr68]

Your compessor is 16 amps,as far as code goes you can use a 20 amp 2 pole breaker. Max amps is 80% of your breaker size. 16 amps for a 20 amp breaker. you can install a receptacle rated for 20 amps and unplug it for servicing. 10-2 romex will work as long as it isn't subject to physical damage and you tape the white wire black. Per NEC code it should not be run on the surface of the wall without protection, EMT or PVC conduit.
Kevin