Need a bit of advice..

[ARbuilder223]

wiring up my garge/shop, wanted to make sure if this is the correct wire needed? i know i want to go with 12/2 Romex and this is what home depot said to go with..thats why im asking you guys..thanks

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[toyotadriver]

Re: Need a bit of advise..

That is suitable for 120 volt circuits up to 20 amps.

Not sure what kind of service you are trying to run but that is what you need for a 20 amp 120 volt circuit.

 

[ARbuilder223]

yes..just for my lights/plugs etc.. i will run diff for a 220plug. Just wanted wanted to make sure that this was the wire for all my 110 thanks

 

[ishiboo]

yes..just for my lights/plugs etc.. i will run diff for a 220plug. Just wanted wanted to make sure that this was the wire for all my 110 thanks

That's correct... and 12-2 can also be used for 220/240 up to 20A... however not 4-wire (which has a neutral, thus can do either voltage).

For most lights, it's easier and cheaper to run 14-2 which is good for up to 15A in most applications. Depends on the lights, how they're wired, etc.

 

[Aceman]

I'd use 12-2 for all 120v receps and 14-2 for lighting.

 

[Zeke]

Why 14-2 for lighting? You can get more light fixtures, or overall watts, on a 20 A circuit.

Don't know the size of his shop, but he might get all the lighting on one breaker and have some power to spare.

 

[ARbuilder223]

it is 24 x 40... was curious on how many plugs to put on a breaker. I will be using 12/2 and 20amp breakers/ 20amp plugs. i will probably end up having 8 lights, wanted to put 4 on a breaker. this ok?

 

[sammm]

It's going to depend on how many amps your fixtures draw. I have (6) T8 fixtures on (1) 20-amp breaker. I think my fixtures are rated for less than 2 amps each.

 

[ARbuilder223]

thanks..im planning a drop ceiling, anyone know where to get best 2x4 lighting/price?

 

[Aceman]

Why 14-2 for lighting? You can get more light fixtures, or overall watts, on a 20 A circuit.

Don't know the size of his shop, but he might get all the lighting on one breaker and have some power to spare.

1. 14-2 is easier to work with, less box fill, etc.

2. You can't put as many fixtures on one circuit(which means you usually need 2 or more circuits), so if the circuit ever trips it's less fixtures that go out.

2a. If the circuit trips, it's easier to narrow down the problem since it runs through fewer fixtures.

That being said, I've installed A LOT of 20 amp circuits for lighting being most of my work is everything BUT residential. If I was more of a Romex jockey however, I would not hesitate to use 14-2 for lighting.

Just my opinion...

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd use 12-2 for all 120v receps and 14-2 for lighting.

+1

Rewired my son's garage last year and that is exactly how I did it. It only has 1 lighting circuit that currently has 3 double bulb T8 fixtures and plenty of capacity for 2 more and outside lights (remember within a couple of years you won't be able to buy incandescent bulbs). Plus, I'm cheap.

how many plugs to put on a breaker. I will be using 12/2 and 20amp breakers/ 20amp plugs.

It depends. Are you going to be using any high load 110V power tools (table saw, etc) ? Then you might only want 1 or 2 outlets per circuit.

If your using "typical" power tools, you can comfortably put 4 outlets on a 20A circuit. If your planning on putting in more than 4 plugs (more than 1 circuit), I would stagger the plugs/circuits along the wall. By that I mean the first outlet on circuit #1, the next on circuit #2, the next on circuit #1. This is especially true at a work bench.

I'm not certain if it is in the NEC (not an electrician), but it is a good idea to have everything covered by GFCI. You can either use GFCI breaker in panel box, or just use a GFCI outlet as the first one in the string.

i will probably end up having 8 lights, wanted to put 4 on a breaker. this ok?

Assuming you are using florescent fixture, no problem.

 

[TOOL MASTER]

14 *****.......it shouldn't be allowed in a house

 

[Norcal]

Unless this is a residence, NM cable is prohibited above a dropped / T-bar ceiling .


Edit: a dropped ceiling w/ a drywall lid has no prohibition of NM cable, suspended ones do.

 

[Gooch]

14 *****.......it shouldn't be allowed in a house

Why? I'd like to hear this.......

 

[rabidsquirrel]

Why? I'd like to hear this.......

If you do the calculations I believe after a 60 foot run the voltage drop becomes unacceptable. Not a problem in a smaller house, but in the McMansions it can add up quickly.

 

[Gooch]

If you do the calculations I believe after a 60 foot run the voltage drop becomes unacceptable. Not a problem in a smaller house, but in the McMansions it can add up quickly.

thats on a fully loaded circuit. it has it's place i never said it should be used for everything. but it's pretty ignorant to say it has no place.

 

[PassnThru]

Just another thought - if you are buying the wire and doing it yourself then using all 12-2 means you will probably end up with less left over wire. Could be cheaper in the long run.

 

[jdaallen]

thanks..im planning a drop ceiling, anyone know where to get best 2x4 lighting/price?

Check with demolition contractors in your area. If there is time before they begin demo, they will sometimes let you in to remove lighting. Saves them from Bulb and Ballast disposal cost. I just acquired really sharp lighting from a office building demo project and didn't cost me a dime except my time to remove the fixtures.

 

[ddawg16]

Originally Posted by TOOL MASTER
14 *****.......it shouldn't be allowed in a house

Why? I'd like to hear this.......

Ignore it....a statement like that without any information to back it up is not worth reading. Obviously does not know what he is talking about. Or, he wired his garage with 14-2, used 30a breakers and his garage burned down.

 

[ddawg16]

Why 14-2 for lighting? You can get more light fixtures, or overall watts, on a 20 A circuit.

Don't know the size of his shop, but he might get all the lighting on one breaker and have some power to spare.

That is one school of thought....but it's a whole lot easier fishing 14-2 up in rafters vs 12-2....and I prefer 2 ckts for lights (breakers are cheap)...if one trips, you are not without light. Additionally, I believe most light switches are limited to 15A....and since most people will put the lights in zones...that means 2 or more switches....so why waste the wire....

 

[camarotoolman]

Hear in Fl. the code is 12-2 no 14 allowed, check your local code. John

 

[egdede]

Just another thought - if you are buying the wire and doing it yourself then using all 12-2 means you will probably end up with less left over wire. Could be cheaper in the long run.

If I recall, HD 250' rolls of 12/2 work out to 1/4 the cost of the 50' foot rolls (cost per foot). Depending on how many 50' rolls you would need, you might end up saving money and having wire to spare.