How can one determine the correct or sufficient number of light fixtures to light a work shop area? Its a 24 ft x 24 ft area with white interior. I’d like a well lite shop and had thought about installing flourescent light fixtures. With the above referenced area, how many rows and actual fixtures would one need? Is there a web site that you can go to and determine what would be best?
Your responses / guidence is appreciated.
Thank You!
Replies
IES handbook should be available at a library.
My own rule of thumb, modified by how many surplus fixtures are on hand, is a 4 ft 32w or 40 W fluorescent for every 20 sq foot of floor area, or equivalent.
I usually individually switch every fixture for control.
I did a shop about your size a while ago. I put in two rows spaced by thirds.
One thing to keep in mind is you can always add in lighting for certain areas.
If you end up spending a lot of time in one area doing a certain task you get a light just for that. But overall you want the place well lit. It takes some of the presure of getting it right the first time knowing that you can add later.
You can also set up lighting just for the desk in the shop. I spend a lot of time at a desk/bench doing paperwork/reading/small stuff. That way you don't have to turn on all the lights. I do alot of small stuff some times.
Install switched outlets in the ceiling and use corded fixtures. You can move then around as needed.
there have been a number of lengthy threads on the subject in the past, so if you don't get the answers in this thread, you might try the advanced search. I remember at least some of them also dealt with the problems of fluorescents and cold temperatures.
Good point. If the temp will ever be below about 20F (and the lights will be used at that temp), the ballasts should be electronic ones.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I have a shop thats 28x18 and I have 7 screw in light fixtures 3 down the middle and 4 over two benches (1 over short bench ,5 ft long and 3 over long bench 9 ft long ) half of them are on one breaker,and so on... separate breakers so if saw or some tool throws a breaker I still have lights on to see my way around in the dark. oh I use florescent screw in bulbs in all, about 18 watts that equals about a 75 to 100 watt bulb. thats plenty of light for me. hope this helps ... some day ill put in shop lights to replace some of the fixtures but they are cheep and easy to install for now and Ive had them up like this about 10 years and they've been fine for now. have a good one.
Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
FineWoodworking had an article on shop lighting a few years ago, issue 154. If you don't have access to it, I can probably give you a condensed version.
Others may disagree, but I sized mine from referencing the CRC handbook. I forget the lumens per square foot, but it's been just super for 8-10 years.
My shop is ~22' square, white DW walls; acoustical tile ceiling that slopes from 7' to 10'.
I have (9) 4-tube (32 watt x 4') troffer fixtures in the grid, on two circuits - dividing the 3 x 3 arrangement into an "X" and a "+".
No shadows, no problems ever.
Easy pix or drawings stored if you'd like.
Forrest
I have a 22x30 workshop. I put two continuous rows (evenly spaced by width) of 8' flourescent fixtures on the 9' ceiling. works great. all on one switch.
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
I based my lighting on a formula found in the back of an old Grainger catalogue.
Three 40-watt fluorescent tubes for every 100 sq. ft of shop area.
When wiring for switches, you might consider lighting sections you can turn off that are near bright windows or where an overhead door opens. Also, I found that my choice to wire one of the strips of lights that's across the shop from the originial bank of light switches with a 3-way switch was a good one. If I'm going into the shop from a door that's away from the original switch bank, having that switch on the far wall lets me light up the area where I have bolts, screws, and other items where I need light to see them better.
Because I needed twenty 4-tube fixtures, I bought some damaged suspended ceiling lights that use the older magnetic ballast. On a cold morning, they hum a bit. I'm slowly changing them out as the years pass and simply install the newer electronic ballast. They are a bit expensive, but little/no noise, they come on brighter on the cold day, and use less electricity.
Good luck,
Bill