I need to rough in for lighting in part of my shop. The space is 24x24x9′ ceiling and will be white drywall walls and ceiling. The fixtures I want to use for general lighting are 4-foot fluorescents that take (2) 32-watt T-8 bulbs apiece. How many of these would you put in a room this size? I do not want it to be underlit, and I don’t want to get sunburnt in there either.
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Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
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Could zone your lighting: Say have a bank of fluorescents (4) being general lighting for every day task, ect.... then another bank of light, (2) for the heavey duty work. Have add'l light positioned over planned work areas to switch on when the sunburn is needed. Then you would need to wear your sunglasses all the time in the shop.
That's the size of the garage in my barn where I've got 4 - 4 tube T8 fixtures and it's a little on the bright side when I'm going in and out at night but fine during the day so I vote for 8 - 2 tube fixtures.
I'm assuming you've got a good reason to use 2 tube fixtures since 4 - 4 tubes would be cheaper and easier to install than 8 - 2 tubes.
Steve.
"I'm assuming you've got a good reason to use 2 tube fixtures since 4 - 4 tubes would be cheaper and easier to install than 8 - 2 tubes."I was wondering about the same thing
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Lighting- there are few areas as subjective as lighting! What on person loves, another hates!
FWIW, here are my ideas....
First of all, the idea of having several switches is a very good one. This would let you adjust the light as you see fit.
There is more to this than you might first suspect. You will want lots more light on sunny days, lest entering the shop feel like entering a cave. At night, however, you will feel the need for far less light.
There are two primary ways to use lights: as area lighting, and as task lighting. (Since this is a shop, I won't worry about 'accent' lighting).
For general area lighting, the lights are fairly evenly distributed in the shop. I would suggest you start with 10 lights, in two rows of 5 across the shop. If this is not enough, I suggest adding 6 more - in two additional rows of three.
While most folks think in terms of two switches, each controlling half of the lights, I suggest a minimum of three switches. The 'third" switch would control only one or two lights, and be used when you just wanted to pass through the shop.
The second type of lighting is 'task lighting.' This is lighting that is used for a specific purpose, such as lighting a workbench. For that, the most common choice seems to be recessed cans; but track lights and small strip fluorescents (like the GE "Brite-Stik") have been used successfully.
Lighting color is also important. I would recommend you spend the extra money for "daylight" color bulbs.
Thank you, gentlemen. Sounds like somewhere between 4 and 24 fixtures should do it! Seriously, I was thinking 6 fixtures, just off the top of my head. The reason for using 2-tube fixtures is to be able to spread them out a little more. The cost of doing this is slightly higher than 4-tube fixtures, on a per-tube basis--the 2's are about $30 and the 4's are about $50 (yes, this is the cheapo stuff). Maybe I'll split the difference between your recs and install 8 fixtures.
First switch in the door is a single fixture that lets me get to the office or to the stairs without stumbling over the stuff I just piled in the way.
To top this all off, DW is suggesting that I install a batch of dimmable cans as well, so that if I quit the building racket and start up a garage band we don't have to rehearse under a bunch of harsh light. I was thinking that (6) 6" cans would do it for a bunch of elderly blues musicians, on a dimmer of course.
Go with track instead of cans, and keep a four step handy. That way you can easily change your task lighting around if you decide to re-arrange things in the shop.
-- J.S.
That there's a good idea.
The drawback to track lighting is the amount of dust that will collect on top of the heads.
If you go looking over in the FWW archives and back issues, about 1-2 years ago they had a workshop issue.One of the articles on lighting. Gave the number of watts/sq ft. Also has suggested placement in relation to work benches.
If I were you, I'd leave lots of loops of extra extra wire between lights so I could reach up and add new ones if I think it's necessary at a later date.
My dream shop was 20 feet by 30 feet. I had six fixtures each with two 4' T8 lamps. It was bright, plenty for every kind of work. Eight would be too much for your shop unless the walls are dark.
In mine, I have one light that stays on all the time, so no need to heat it up for quick in and out. Then I have two separate strings of lights on each side.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Over the workbench, a fixture every 6' with a switch under each light on the wall behind the bench. Set the fixture rather close to the wall so your head doesn't cast a shadow on the work. I always start work, then realize I need more light. A close at hand switch for that overhead light is really nice.
Working on cars? Center one fixture between the cars, add 1 about 3' to the each side of the two cars parking area. Run the fixture parallel to the cars and centered over the front bumpers. These also become your general walk thru lighting, so a switch(es) beside the door(s.) No cars? Center them in the space, direction remains the same. Maybe add another fixture and switch if you envision lots of spread out work in the center of the shop, For walk through lighting put lights 1 and 3 on one swicth and 2 and 4 on the other.
Fill in with three fixtures across the back of the parking area running perpendicular to the cars. One switch near one of the doors. No cars? Still recomend the same.
Edited 11/29/2006 10:41 am by SamT
I put 8 2 tube x 8' units in my garage of the same size, worked fine. The other thing I did was plug the lights into switched receptacles I installed in the ceiling and hung the lights from eye bolts. This allows me to add or reposition lights if so desired.
Essentially ran the lights around the perimeter, with two lengths running the width of the garage midway.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
Another big advantage to hanging lights from eyebolts is that if you happen to hit one with the end of a long stick, it's likely to swing aside without being damaged. The reminder is a harmless clunk noise rather than shattering glass. The downside, again, is dust buildup on top.
-- J.S.
Also allow for expansion (i.e. adding lighting)
I'm 61 and for the last few years, I've noticed that they just ain't making as much light as they used to!! - lol
"I'm 61 and for the last few years, I've noticed that they just ain't making as much light as they used to!! - lol"LOL, yeah - it must be all those illegal immigrants who are used to more light down south that are hogging all the available light rays. Notice how old Imerc's eyes are - he needs 24 fixtures. Time for me to upgrade my lights, they are getting dimmer too. But vaucumning the sawdust off helps too.
Off the bulbs or off the eyeballs....;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I did my 220 sq. ft, 7' 9" high shop with 8 recessed troffers each carrying 4 4' T8s.
Half of them are on one switch and the other on another, although their distribution is both thruout and specific. One switch primarily lites the bench and the rest of the general room, the other the sink area and the rest of the general room.
When one bank is on, it's plenty for most work. For specific, more detailed or larger work, both are ideal.
Furthermore, I have additional task area focused halogen cans and undercab flouresents. And another swith built in for future yet-to-be-determined lights.
My garage/shop is 24'x13'x11'H and I have two 8'(2 bulb)high-output strips. The place is like an operating room. My electrician recommended these, said he had them at his place too.
I have (9) four X 4' tube troffer fixtures in my shop the same size. Just right.
Forrest
If you're over 40 yrs old, double what you think you need.
My shop (nearing completion) is 20' x 24' with 9' ceiling. As others have noted, increasing age benefits greatly from increased lighting. As I am 63 there will be four rows of two 8' double tube fixtures end to end running the long way with another two 8' fixtures at the end of the room running the short way. One switch controls three rows (six 8' fixtures) and the other switch controls the last row and the end row (four 8' fixtures). All are surface mount. (The "L" switch configuration runs along window walls - probably not needed during the day.)
Just to expand on my answer, I chose my (36) bulb lighting design based on a particular number of lumens per square foot. I had looked up that number in a CRC handbook; I think the level was listed for "dental surgery", whatever that means.
Another advantage of lots of bulbs is the lack of shadows - more helpful than it seems.
Here's my old shop layout drawing - suspended ceiling; 2x4 light troffers in blue; grid is 12" (shop is not near square, due to exterior factors!) Two switched circuits, 5 on one (X shape) and 4 on the other (+ shape). Been super happy with it. My smaller garage beside it has (8) 4-tube troffer fixtures I put in this summer to match
Forrest - coming out at night, I'm blind 'tho!View Image
6-8 depending on how your tool /space layout is
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
one to left and one to the right of your work station instead of directly overhead...
avoids shadows..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
My shop is 24' x 34' with an 8'high white ceiling. The walls are white, but mostly obscured by tools, cabinets, etc. I have five rows of lights, 16' each row -- the equivalent of 20 4'-ers. Only rarely do I feel there is too much light. Down the center I have five 8' high output fixtures, that are cold start. I welcome that on those mornings that I haven't pre-heated the shop, or when I just need to run in and grab something. These are on their own switch. On each end of the 8'-ers is an old salvaged 4' 2-bulb fixture. These are on a separate switch, but routinely turned on along with the others. Even with this apparent abundance of light, I feel I need extra light over workbenches in the corners.
I would ditto the comment about researching the "shop" issue of FW from a few years ago. It's a very educational article, but you will then know more about lights than the people who sell them, and you will want lights that aren't on the shelf at the big box stores.
Sue