Wiring A Barn:

Okay guys, question. I am a contractor(really a carpenter with a license) and need to wire a barn that I built for my grandparents. This barn is used for storage and workshop, not horses etc. What would you guys suggest I use as far as type of wire and also how high would you set your receptacles and how far apart would you space them? The barn size is 24x36 with 3 stall doors across the back, double doors centered on the front, and one 12' sliding door on either end. I plan on putting one gooseneck fixture above each stall door, for a total of 3. Also plan to put 3 recessed lights in the overhang on the front of the barn, as well as workshop lights and one exhaust fan on the interior.....along with receptacles.

Thanks in advance!!

If it were me, I would get my electrician to stop in and go over everything with me. Get all the necessary info about where to put things that code requires and how to run wires. etc. At the very least I would think the wiring should be in galv. surface mounted conduit and plugs should be gfi's if a horse could get near them.

Are you paying consulting fees? if so I can send my paypal address.

You may want to consult an electrician and the building department for this job because wiring an agriculture building even though it isn't used for horses etc, has special wiring methods that need to be followed. For instance, romex is NOT one of the wiring methods you can use. There are several but type MC Cable and UF are probably what you're gonna use.

NEC Article 547

I'd go to the Library or buy a book, I don't think you're going to get an overwhelming amount of info here.

I have been doing agricultural electrical work for YEARS. Are you doing a barn or a shop? Is there any animal feed nearby where mice like to hangout? This has a bearing on types of wire you can use. Most BARNS are done in PVC conduit with T90, or RW90 .

X2, i would use MC or EMT. If there is any possible chance of wire damge due to rodents or machinery then i wouldnt bother with UF. Just because there wont be any livestock inside doesnt mean the critters wont come in.

do yourself and your family a favor and call an electrician

How many horses?



Call a sparky....

A person who has the talent to erect a building typically has the talent to run some wires in a little shop. It's not like he's going into it blind, he merely asked for a few pointers.

I would go EMT if it is going to be exposed.

Don't use cowboys... if any animals are ever to be inside they will get hurt on these little devils. Keep it tight to the framing using two hole clamps. Use this as an excuse to buy a bender!

Please, if you can, have an electrican buddy check everything as you go. Then hire him do the panel and finals. You will need his approval for passing.



Dave

And if this electrician's any good he'll tell you that using EMT is NOT one of the wiring methods listed in article 547.

Hey James I run a few lines here and there does that qualify me to build an entire building?

You guys crack me up, as if wiring is some sort of hobby.

Did someone forget rigid conduit?

Quote: "You guys crack me up, as if wiring is some sort of hobby. "

Some of you guys crack me up, as if running some wires for a couple receptacles and lights was rocket science. FYI check out the DIY site, there's tons of posts about homeowners doing a lot more than what this CONTRACTOR wants to do.

If I had $75.00 an hour for every time I had had to go fix something electrical in a house that was done by a framer or plumber, I'd be a happy man.
P.S.
I am one of the happiest men on the planet. Thanks framers

A Barn? Knob and tube of course!

Society for the historical preservation of fire hazards...

thats funny right there

That doesn't mean that half of them aren't idiots you know.

I could build 4k square foot house on the weekends including the roof, plumbing, HVAC, sheetrock... all a piece a cake. I have a hammer, a plunger, and some tin snips. What else could I possibly need?

Besides that, so what if he's a CONTRACTOR. I'm a contractor, an ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR.

And what is a contractor?

Someone who sells contracts!

Okay smart asses..............here was my plan....perhaps you can just let me know if this is okay per your expertise. I planned on putting all the switches and outlets at the same height, that way they will all be above the top of the eventual work benches that may go there. I also planned to run conduit from each box up thru the top plate of the walls, then just run the romex from there to the panel. Does that sound good?

Btw, my county doesn't call for anything other than romex, no conduit at all. The reason I asked was bc I wanted to do it the BEST way, not just the easiest way. As for the smartass that said something about framers, etc wiring and him making money off of it.........well it doesn't take a genious to pull wire.....and that is the hardest part of the job when wiring something as simple as a barn ain't it? JK man. Thanks to those who had a serious response.

I understand you guys not wanting to help the DIY guys.......but come on....lighten up on a fellow blue collar construction dude.........

umm... that is funny coming from a guy with magnets on a workvan... you can be a plumber in 40 seconds with the flip of a magnet..