[Troy32]

I am building a wood shop in my basement and need to run a series of outlets. I am using 12/2 and a 20 amp circuit. I have a 50 foot run to where i want the first outlet. I would then need to go another 40 feet around portion of the basement and back to where the wire came from to connect all of the outlets. Would I be better off splicing the wire at the 50 foot mark and running 2 20 foot sections to reduce the length or just run on continuous length?

Thanks,
Troy

 

[Dave632]

I am building a wood shop in my basement and need to run a series of outlets. I am using 12/2 and a 20 amp circuit. I have a 50 foot run to where i want the first outlet. I would then need to go another 40 feet around portion of the basement and back to where the wire came from to connect all of the outlets. Would I be better off splicing the wire at the 50 foot mark and running 2 20 foot sections to reduce the length or just run on continuous length?

Thanks,
Troy

The fewer splices you make, the fewer places for a connection to come loose.

 

[Troy32]

Exactly. I like to make as few connections as possible but also did not want a 90ft run on a circuit that will have high amp draw machines

 

[rjniles]

Are you saying the last receptacle is nearer the breaker box than the first receptacle? I can't picture your layout. Can you post a diagram.

 

[Bondo]

Are you saying the last receptacle is nearer the breaker box than the first receptacle? I can't picture your layout. Can you post a diagram.

Ayuh,.... Sounds like just callin' the last outlet, the 1st, insteada wirin' a loop around the shop, would work...

Come outa the box, to the gang of outlets, 'n then continue on to the last outlet...

 

[Dave632]

You can "T" in an outlet or junction box to shorten the total length of run.

90 ft with 12/2 wiring will have minimal voltage drop.

 

[k_buz]

The only reason I would choose to make that run shorter would be to decrease the cost of the installation.

 

[Troy32]

Imagine a question mark and the box would be by the bottom of the question mark. The outlets will go all the way around 3 walls. I already have plenty of wire so cost does not play a factor. Either way will work but I was curious which way a professional would run it.

Thanks for the info so far

 

[Jim Port]

Run the wiring however makes the most sense and uses the shortest amount of wire. There is no reason to backtrack.

 

[Troy32]

That was the question. What makes the most sense?

 

[diystephen]

Exactly. I like to make as few connections as possible but also did not want a 90ft run on a circuit that will have high amp draw machines

I think to get the correct advice on this project you'll need to post some more detail. Above you list "high amp draw machines." What exactly are you planning to run of the 20A circuit? It's entirely possible that you'll need more than 1 circuit, so that could impact the wiring layout.

 

[Troy32]

I will be using up to 15 amp tools but never more then one at a time. One circuit should be fine