I am planning on rearranging our basement into a shop (yes, I have my wife’s go ahead!). I plan on running a circuit for the lighting (15amp) and another (20amp) for the power (drill press, table saw, miter saw, etc. – basic tools).
The general lighting will be on a threeway switches (two entrances to the shop). I was wondering if you guys know if it is code (or frowned upon) to put the task lights on a switch (at the bench)that relays back to the switches for the general lighting. That way, when I leave the shop and forget to turn off the task lights, I can just flip the switch for the general lights, and they will all turn off, without having to go across the room to turn the task lighting off. I know I can just put another switch by the door to turn the task lights on, but I like having the control at the bench.
With the power, the only question I have is because it is a basement, do I have to protect the outlets with a gfci at the beginning of the run? Does this apply only to outlets a certain distance from the floor? I was planning on having most of the outlets at 42″.
Any other issues I should be aware of with basement work that is different?
Thanks for the help!
Replies
I can't think of any reason that you can't do what you want with the switches.
"I was planning on having most of the outlets at 42"."
You might thing about puting them a little higher so that they are accessible when if you have a 4ft wide sheet of plywood against the wall.
"another (20amp) for the power (drill press, table saw, miter saw, etc. - basic tools)"
I would run at least one more circuit for a shop vac or dust collector that you might want to run at the same time.
"With the power, the only question I have is because it is a basement, do I have to protect the outlets with a gfci at the beginning of the run? Does this apply only to outlets a certain distance from the floor? "
You need GFCI protection (either one at the start of the run, one at each outlet, or a GFCI breaker) on any 120 volt recptacles in an unfinished basement. There is an exception for 1) recptacles not readily acessible and 2) a single recptacle, or a duplex recptacle for two applinaces located in a dedicated space, not easily moved, and cord and plug connected. Also you don't need GFCI for 240 outlets.
"Any other issues I should be aware of with basement work that is different?"
The only other thing is that you need to protect the wire (assuming that you use romex) on the concrete walls. Two common options are to use conduit as a protective sleave or to mount a 1x4 on the wall and then you can staple the romex to the board.
run a four way switch at each door for the task. That way you can turn off at the doors or at the bench