Does your workshop have all the electric power and lighting you need? If not, here’s a basic plan to help you run a separate electrical feed to your shop.
Make sure your panel box has two spaces left for a double pole breaker. It should also have enough unused amperage for a 50 or 60 amp breaker to be added to run a subfeed panel to your shop. If it does, you can plan on three to four circuits.
Outlets
You can run a 20-amp circuit with twelve-gauge wire for your outlet needs. By using a GFI breaker, you can protect yourself and your equipment from shock and hazard. If you’d like, you can also use a GFCI outlet in a series of no more than four outlets (code for many areas).
Lighting
You can run a 15-amp circuit to provide ample lighting for an average size shop. Remember that when you use the common four-foot shoplight, they are not “cold start” fixtures. To overcome this, use a couple of incandescent porcelain fixtures until your shop heats up, or purchase “cold start” fluorescent fixtures that will start up under 50 degrees.
Heater or heavy equipment
If you need a forced air heater or a circuit for heavy equipment, such as a welder, you can run a 220 volt line with the remaining space in your panel or subfeed.
Increasing your lighting and electrical capabilities will let you work on your projects the most efficient way possible.