For normal shop use I just have an underground 50 amp service running to the building from a circuit in my house. The highest load comes from my 220-Volt 80 gal 5hp air compressor. When I was planning the shop I was thinking about a 100 amp circuit and my electrician asked a simple question are you going to run everything at once. Good point! He assured me a 50 amp service would be enough. I do not have heavy equipment or hot ovens but I do have air tools, saws, welders, electronics, fridge, and fans. I have never had a problem or popped a breaker.
I have an electric breaker box in the shop that splits everything out in the shop. The air compressor has its own dedicated circuit. I have a row of lights hanging from the roof on its own circuit. I have a row of 4 gang electrical plug boxes 10 feet apart along each wall that has 2 pairs of plugs each pair on its own circuit. So I can have 2 always on plugs and 2 switched plugs in the same 4 plug box. Along one wall (the side of the compressor) I have a 1 inch galvanized pipe 46 feet long, set at a slope for drainage, with quick disconnect outlets for air and down pipes with stop **** to drain the pipe. I have a paint filter / dryer in line at one station for my painting connection. All lines are about 5 feet off the ground so they are not hidden by stuff in the shop and susceptible to water. Except for one shelf and the air compressor everything in the shop is on wheels.


Mike Shappell
www.themanshed.com
TMS-20 Builder
G-Cat 5.7 - Current Boat
NACRA 5.2 - early 70's