Shop lighting is an important tool. We need enough light to see the small details of the items we make as well as to navigate the shop environment. Many methods of accomplishing this are available, and many implement several in their shops.
Here is something to think about... Do your power loads and shop lighting get the power from the same breaker? If so, what happens when it is dark outside and you trip that breaker? Can you see to get out of the area safely?
We had a power outage a couple of weeks back and I happened to be neck deep in the middle of a welding project. The shop went from bright to totally dark in an instant. :shock: My only saving grace was that I always carry a small flash light with me in a pocket. Without it, I would have had a difficult time of getting out and not having an injury or some sort by the time I got to the door.
Once is enough for this cat! I have installed emergency lighting ballasts in half of my overhead shop lights so that if there ever is another power failure, I can egress without fear of injury. The cost of this conversion was about a $100, but it is cheap compared to getting stiches at the ER!
Also, my shop lights are not on the same breaker(s) as the outlets and equipment. This way if I trip a breaker, I can see my way back to the electrical panel to reset the breaker and go about my tasks.
Here is something to think about... Do your power loads and shop lighting get the power from the same breaker? If so, what happens when it is dark outside and you trip that breaker? Can you see to get out of the area safely?
We had a power outage a couple of weeks back and I happened to be neck deep in the middle of a welding project. The shop went from bright to totally dark in an instant. :shock: My only saving grace was that I always carry a small flash light with me in a pocket. Without it, I would have had a difficult time of getting out and not having an injury or some sort by the time I got to the door.
Once is enough for this cat! I have installed emergency lighting ballasts in half of my overhead shop lights so that if there ever is another power failure, I can egress without fear of injury. The cost of this conversion was about a $100, but it is cheap compared to getting stiches at the ER!
Also, my shop lights are not on the same breaker(s) as the outlets and equipment. This way if I trip a breaker, I can see my way back to the electrical panel to reset the breaker and go about my tasks.