Hi, I am building a new shop.
All my current equipment will get a nice place , more spacious.
I have to wire the complete shop. I use both 400V 3phase motors and 230V 1 phase for smaller machines and lighting (yes this is European, but the principle is the same)All together there are 14 TL lamps, 5 400V machines, 5 230 V machines and some extra outlets and switches, all to be spread over a 55m2 (= 500 square feet) shop. I know how to do this.
I am looking for a convenient way how to describe the wiring, preferably supported by software. So I can make lists where to run pipes, and what colors and thickness of wire to be put into each pipe.
where to connect them, etc. So I can give my friends who like to help me, a list what to do. Then I can also calculate the required lengths, etc.
I made a layout diagram for the shop, but drawing in all wires becomes a mess. Making a detailed list works, but I hope there is a tool that make this more simple.
Has anyone experience with this problem and /or a solution that will save me time.
thanks, Jaap
NB I posted this on KNOTS, nikkiwood suggested to use Breaktime as this would reach the right audience.
Replies
Set up a worksheet. You can do it on a spreadsheet or a tabular paper form.
On the plans just indicate the location for each run.
Then for each run start listing on the worksheet, on column for each part of the run, then in the next columns you can add up the lenght of conduit, the number of fittings, etc.
Some thing like this.
table saw, 3 phase/400, 5500 watts, #8 wire (I am just making up some of these number and you problem designate the wire in metric terms, but you get the idea), 1" conduit, 1.5 meters panel to ceiling, 2 meters north, 4 meters east (to center of room), 3 meters down, total conduit 10.5, toal wire 11.5 (add in some for terminations)*3. etc.
Then you can add up all of the that use #8 wire and all that use 1" conduit and repeat for the other sizes and runs.