Electrical upgrade for garage and indoors

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  • radhak
    Veteran Member
    • Apr 2006
    • 3061
    • Miramar, FL
    • Right Tilt 3HP Unisaw
    #1

    Electrical upgrade for garage and indoors

    After a long wait I managed to find an electrician who had the time to show up home today.
    My first need is to add a second outlet in the garage/shop. I have had tripping problems when I used the vac with the TS, so assumed I need a second outlet with its own breaker.

    I also had thought I might as well go with a 20amp outlet, but I found this
    thread here by Loring that makes me double-think. Should I or should I not go for a 20 amp?

    This guy quoted me $125 to run the new line upto the middle of the ceiling. Is that too cheap, or is the work involved elementary enough? (I am not comfortable playing with electricity, so not gonna think DIY).

    I am thinking putting the new box right in the middle of the ceiling instead of the wall as it would help me power my tools at the center of the shop - good idea or dumb?

    And while he was there, I also asked him about wiring up a new set of lights in the family room. He suggested 4 'Top Hat Lights' (which I now found means recessed lights) and recommended halogen lights in them, and quoted me $125 for that too : material (the lights and bulbs) not included. How does that sound?
    It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
    - Aristotle
    Tags: None
    • crokett
      The Full Monte
      • Jan 2003
      • 10627
      • Mebane, NC, USA.
      • Ryobi BT3000
      #2
      If you aren't going to consider doing it yourself, it sounds very reasonable to me, especially since he was willing to come out for such a small job. How long are you willing to wait for someone else to come out who may be cheaper.
      David

      The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.

        Comment

        • radhak
          Veteran Member
          • Apr 2006
          • 3061
          • Miramar, FL
          • Right Tilt 3HP Unisaw
          #3
          Originally posted by crokett
          If you aren't going to consider doing it yourself, it sounds very reasonable to me, especially since he was willing to come out for such a small job. How long are you willing to wait for someone else to come out who may be cheaper.
          Totally agree. My only fear was, is he quoting too low, and would it show in the results? Of course he is licensed and insured, so maybe I am being paranoid just to be paranoid .
          It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
          - Aristotle

            Comment

            • LCHIEN
              Super Moderator
              • Dec 2002
              • 22084
              • Katy, TX, USA.
              • BT3000 vintage 1999
              #4
              Originally posted by radhak
              Totally agree. My only fear was, is he quoting too low, and would it show in the results? Of course he is licensed and insured, so maybe I am being paranoid just to be paranoid .
              Sounds pretty reasonable to me.

              Having an outlet in the ceiling has advantages and disadvantages.
              With gravity pulling on the length of cord (8' of #12 is heavy) working against you as well as normal movement the plugs will tend to fall out at the wrong time, unless you go for a special locking plug OR, perhaps, have a cord clamp on your downgoing wire fastened to the ceiling so there's no load on the plug.
              Also if you need to plug or unplug devices for safety while working on them, you'll have to keep a small stepladder around - could lead to laziness and unsafe practices if the plug is not readily accessible.
              A solution is to have a 8' 2x4 going between the floor and ceiling and mount a 6-outlet strip on it with a 6' cord going up to the outlet and the cord tied to the 2x4.

              Probably quite safe but not code for permanent installation so take it down when you try to sell the house!
              Loring in Katy, TX USA
              If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
              BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

                Comment

                • Ken Massingale
                  Veteran Member
                  • Dec 2002
                  • 3862
                  • Liberty, SC, USA.
                  • Ridgid TS3650
                  #5
                  Originally posted by radhak
                  Totally agree. My only fear was, is he quoting too low, and would it show in the results? Of course he is licensed and insured, so maybe I am being paranoid just to be paranoid .
                  Assuming his work is good it sounds like you've found an honest electrician. Those jobs are quick to do.

                    Comment

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