Editors,
I see a lot of questions lately about electrical issues, (motors, 220 V outlets, lighting).
How about an article by a PROFESSIONAL, experienced with the National Electrical Code, that explains some basics, gives some guidance into code issues in the shop and explains the benefits of hiring a professional if one don’t have the required knowledge.
Most guys wouldn’t perform a home vasectomy, but balk at hiring a professional to wire their shop, (equally as dangerous as home surgery due to the possibility of fire and personal injury).
As a professional engineer I know the value of doing things right. How about helping to educate my woodworking pals?
Replies
Most guys wouldn't perform a home vasectomy,
If you need one, I'll do it. What the heck, I've got a scary sharp two cherries chisel.
Edited 1/22/2008 3:08 pm ET by smslaw
forget the cherries
Be nice.
Pretty much any article in any magazine would have already been addressed by a book. So that leaves us tool reviews, which are, from my perspective, a waste of money.
So there are some shop specific electrical issues, like how many outlets, what types, sub-panels, etc., which could be of considerable interest to the sort of folk who read FWW.
I already did my shop (learnt from a book), but there is no need to be derisive when somebody suggests a topic.
north,
It looks like you stepped on some toes.
Mark
Wow!! I didn't expect so much hate and jealously over a simple post suggesting an article. I’m not going to get into a flaming battle, that’s not why I come here. If you want to do a half assed wiring job on your shop it’s OK with me. I guess in some small minded worlds I should be vilified for being concerned about the safety of myself, my family, my equipment and my fellow woodworkers. As far as my engineering career goes I earned the right to call myself a professional engineer. I started as a laborer in a coal mine, then worked as an electrician, earned my engineering degree while going to night school and passed the practices and principles exam to be licensed in Texas. I’m proud of what I have accomplished. If that bothers you then it’s too bad. You’ll have to deal with it. I’d like to continue, but I have to perform brain surgery now and do some rocket science this afternoon.
Best regards,
TX
north guy ,
An article with basic info for wood shops and the amperage requirements for machinery and tools in general would be a helpful guide .
Some simple rules and guidelines , do's and don'ts , circuit breakers starting amperages and how they effect your circuits . What size breakers are needed for different draws on different machines would be helpful to most .
We don't want folks to wire the house or addition without real knowledge of what they are doing , that is probably why some may not agree .
Congratulations on your hard work and perseverance to become an engineer .
Thanks in advance for all you can teach us
regards dusty
I am amazed at how 'safety' comes up so frequently when electricity is involved. Electricity should not be scarey. Sure, you can cause a fire, or other problems if you do things wrong, but if you stick to code, there is no real magic or difficulty doing even 'advanced' wiring.
Where I live (Ontario) it is completely legal and accepted to do your own wiring - provided you get a permit. This also entitles you to an inspection. You pass that inspection and you are considered as safe as if an electrician had done the work.
Face it - a lot of work is done by laborers anyway, not licensed electricians.
Tips from people who have approached a particular situation like a workshop I think would be particularly helpful, even if you know the relevant electrical codes (as I do).
Its about design, not implementation.
The laws for doing most building work in America seem to be stringent, and I applaud that. Here in England we encounter the strangest practices by so called professionals. Brick built dwellings of course.
In my home built in 1960, I still find neutral wires, (untagged) acting as live feeds, wiring stretched so tight that undoing a plug results in wires vanishing and worse of all, main supply lines running in the most unlikely places. The one factor I would insist upon in a new house would be an accurate map of wiring routes indicating the power factors.
"Oops, I am thinking as a professional educator."
Hmmm. Do you educate your students in the same tone?
Regards,
Peter
Better life through Zoodles and poutine...
Taunton Press has put out a book that did exactly what you are requesting (but it's a LOT longer than a FWW article) - Wiring a House (For Pros by Pros) by Rex Cauldwell
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