|
| Ek's Home | Forum | Chat | Electrical Links | |
| Subject - Residential garage wiring | |
| Tmibowl |
I was asked to help out in wiring a garage for a neighbor. the questions that I have are: 1. Is there a min. or max. height for recept. in a garage? 2. I had heard that when installing recepts. in (garages) that they now have to have wire nuts with a pig tail on then in all recepts. boxes (new code).? 3. Is there a 12' rule in garages as to the spacing of recepts. on the walls as is inside homes? Additional information. I am an industrial electrician and don't do much residential work. I wasn't having much luck in the 2002 code book. And yes the circuits in the garage will be GFI protected. Code references would help. thanks HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL |
| David Hyatt | 1)NO 2)We are requred to use green wire nuts on the grounds or crip sleeve. Unless its a local code where you live you don't have to pigtail receptacles. 3)No outlets are required in garage, put as many or as few as you want. Hope this helps. |
| JimmyDee | quote: (1)(not code but good workmenship) Not sure right off if it is 18" or 36" off the floor is the proper hight because of gas fumes in a garage. Although this does not pertain to a home garage, I feel the way I use my garage the rules should pertain for my garage for safety reasons. quote: This tells me, it would be a good idea to put the plug at least 18" above the floor. I put mine at 48". (2)I like to pigtail but don't think it is necessary (check local code) Some inspectors require that the grounds are pigtailed for rough-in inspection. (3)Code says if there is power run to a garage, it shall have at least one receptacle or if the garage is attached to the house it shall have at least one receptacle. Jim |
| RS377 | quote: Are you sure that he has to use green wirenuts specifically? We always use whatever fits and run a pigtail out of it (not like the greens that have holes through them) |
| Ryan_J | I love when people use the article 511 argument for residential, especially sice article 511 states that the wiring method above the classified location can't be NM cable. Jimmy, I'm not directing that at you, because you obviously realize it doesn't apply to dwellings. I have had this argument with people (inspectors) who really want to apply 511 to dwellings. |
| JimmyDee | I can see no advantage to installing them lower that 18" but you do get a small level of protection by going higher. Many home garages burst into flame because gas was used for cleaning or it spilled while filling a lawn mower etc. We had one here that the bulb broke on a trouble light while the guy was working on his car and it set the place on fire. Not necessary but why not? Giving you 100% protection, no but better than putting devices (IMOHO) in the 18" area. I do find it very interesting that the powers to be, here, refuse to allow a repair pit to be installed in the garage because it would collect gas fumes and be subject to the article 500 stuff. Jim |
| Tmibowl | Thanks for all of your input. Happy New Year, and to all, and a safe one 
|
| lctrc789 | Hi all, and happy new year. I would like to add my 2 cents worth on the garage wiring, As far as the height of recpts. I personnaly think that this would fall under local codes if any or as a dwelling but As you know for a garage you would have to have them GFCI protected, and unless it is for a specific device it does not have to be (i.e) garage door opener. I personally like the rcpts. at 36 inches unless otherwise specified. Article 511 of the NEC is for commercial garages not dwellings. Article 210 branch circuits would fall under a residential garage. Article 210-8 for the garage GFCI. As far as how many that is up to you, must have controlled switch for lighting and as far as the grounding with green wire nuts or crimps that is local jurisdiction. Wire pig tails in not a standard practice in residential (I wish it was). Good luck and be careful. |