On Thu, 09 Sep 2004 23:11:30 GMT, "patrick conroy"
wrote:
I think it's been a few months since anybody asked the (inflammatory)
Electrical Code question, so here goes:
I'm thinking about added some circuits to the garage. (Yeah, I'll have a
competent contractor do it, but I'd like to learn alittle bit about code,
anyhow).
I'm thinking I'd like two 20A 240V's and two 20A 120V circuits added.
The garage is finished - drywall and insulated - so I'd run them outside the
walls.
why not fish the wires to pop in boxes?
1. Outside the walls means the wire has to be protected right? As in BX or
conduit, right?
outside walls i would use conduit or bx but it may not be required.
not sure but protected is safer.
2. Is GFCI a usual requirement for garage outlets? (Cause it's a wet area,
right)?
only common outlets need be GFCI. dedicated outlets do not need to be.
i made all my 110 outlets GFCI and the inspector said i did not have
to do that. he said outlets down low and near the door must be but the
outlets above work benches and 220 outlets do not require GFCI
protection.
3. If yes to GFCI, the 240V runs too?
no.
4. If yes to GFCI, then why is the existing outlet in my garage GFCI, but
the two in there feeding the door openers not GFCI? Because they're 10' up?
maybe but more likely because they are concidered dedicated outlets.
basicaly i was told "you aint gonna climb up there and plug in a cord
to do the weeed eating are you?" by the inspector.
5. Speaking of up - is there a minimum height off the floor for outlets?
The builder put a nasty dryer vent run through the garage and I'd prefer the
outlets below that. Guessing they'll be 6-8" off the floor.
i dont beleive there is a mimimum. some new houses have outlets in the
baseboard round here.
I don't want the expense of a subpanel *in* the garage. There's already a
100A one in the basement adjacent to the garage, so my thought was to use
that.
is the garage and basement attached? if not you will probly need
wiring to be in conduit between the buildings. a sub panel is the best
way IMHO because if you trip a circuit you dont want to be going to
the basement to reset the breaker. do you?
Any other NEC things to think about when putting in new runs in a finished
garage?
youe electritian can answer that. you have to total up the numbers to
be sure you arent overloading the 100 amp panel. i recently had to
upgrade to 200 amp service to the house because the numbers were to
high after adding a hot tub and pool to the property. when i built the
shop i went with a new service on a seperate meter. that way i got 200
amp dedicted to the shop. and i can track the cost better. the
business pays that electric bill and i get a write off to boot. do i
need 200 amp service to the shop? probly not but it sure is nice
knowing i can add stuff as i please.
Thank you!
your wellcome...
skeez
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