electric boxes on stud walls question?

[owas]

Need to have the electrition in soon to sort out the electric for my workshop but I wanna have it planned abit so I know how im approaching this.


I basically want 3 double sockets and 2 lights with a switch with a stud wall with insulation in between.

The bit im confused on is, does the electrition just fit the the backboxes to the bare studs and put the wires through, then I come along and insulate around them, vapour barrier and plasterboard/skim over then they have the sockets/switches /lights attached after?

Or have I got this wrong?

 

[wristpin]

When I did a new workshop the sparky put all the cables in high level surface trunking with conduit drops down to sockets which were well above bench level . Has worked well but as usual - not enough sockets ! However easy to alter/add to.

 

[zx9]

I think you need to wait for one of the qualified Sparkies to comment on best practice, but always spec. more sockets than you think you will need and consider one or more 16A or 32A outlets for that big welder or compressor you know you want.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Need to have the electrition in soon to sort out the electric for my workshop but I wanna have it planned abit so I know how im approaching this.


I basically want 3 double sockets and 2 lights with a switch with a stud wall with insulation in between.

The bit im confused on is, does the electrition just fit the the backboxes to the bare studs and put the wires through, then I come along and insulate around them, vapour barrier and plasterboard/skim over then they have the sockets/switches /lights attached after?

Or have I got this wrong?

That's basically right, its called first and second fix.
The Sparks will route all the cables to the correct places and leave the tails sticking out from the back boxes, you can then plaster and decorate and he will return for the final fix.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Do you also need any blue 16 amp outlets at the same time?

 

[Robotstar5]

Tell your sparky what you want to use in the workshop plus any future additions (bigger welder etc.) and he/she will advise the best options.

And if you don't want to annoy them, don't fill the backboxes with plaster when skimming!

 

[owas]

Ah looks like im on the right page then, thanks!

Does adding a 16/32amp socket add much to the cost? I pretty much have most the machines im going to need already , (mig/stick/lift tig) that all work of a 13amp so not planning to upgrade anytime soon, but if its not a major extra cost then I wouldnt mind adding them too.

 

[rtbcomp]

Personally I'd fit 16A blue plugs to high-current items even if they can be run of 13A plugs. My thinking being that there is more contact area and no fuse, therefore fewer connections to give problems. Also many of the 13A plugs on the market are pretty poor quality. The cable grips in the blue plugs tend to be better too.

 

[BrokenBiker]

^^^if you do this you can easily make up some adaptor leads to allow you to plug things like 13A grinders into the sockets if you need to. commando plug one end ad 13A socket the other end

 

[Robotstar5]

Does adding a 16/32amp socket add much to the cost?

Not if you include them at the design/install stage, would cost 3-4 times more to add them later.

 

[BrokenBiker]

where are you located owas?

 

[owas]

Makes sense, ill have one fitted for the welders and a few 13amp doubles, I think thatll do me for a small shop, only 8x12.

 

[owas]

where are you located owas?

Oldbury

 

[BrokenBiker]

Ah for some reason i thought you were in Cwmbran lol

 

[500e]

There is never enough, Honest you will require more in the first week put the wire in even if you don't terminate, especially if you are berrying it in a stud partition wall,
This Workshop has trunk under benches there are 35 sockets on this wall alone, when we are busy all can be used still only about 8Amps though.

 

[owas]

View attachment 43823 There is never enough, Honest you will require more in the first week put the wire in even if you don't terminate, especially if you are berrying it in a stud partition wall,
This Workshop has trunk under benches there are 35 sockets on this wall alone, when we are busy all can be used still only about 8Amps though.

damn thats alot, ive gotten away with 1 double outdoor socket when my 'workshop' was just my table outside,
extension leads will be a way I can get a few more sockets if needs be, apart from the welder its just angle grinder and other small power tools so I cant imagine running them of extension leads being a problem.

 

[Cyberprog]

When I designed mine, I put in 2x16A Sockets, and loads of double metal clad sockets. All contained in 2x2 metal trunking round the top of the walls. But I need more sockets now (6months after initial install), which will be easy enough to do thanks to the forethought. I need a couple more 16A outlets with isolators, and more metal clad sockets... just need to get round to doing it now!

 

[sparkysy]

Hi Owas
There are some excellent ideas here I would definitely have more than you need put in I did mine in surface trunking as it makes extras so simple to add afterwards! I would always suggest that you put a larger than you need supply cable in as in the future you have some room for those bits of kit that you weren't planning on getting but we're too good to pass up! We've all been there

 

[owas]

If I have it in a surface trunk, does that mean I finish all the plastering ect first then the electrician installs it .. or they still fit the boxes first?

 

[DrDeAtH]

Box trunk round the top and do drops to each socket in 20mm conduit. That way you will be able to add to it at a later date.
Stick a 150mm extractor fan in a while you are at it. Will give a bit of airflow on the days where you don't want the door open

Doing the above means that you can plaster and paint it out first