Seeking electrical advice

[Requin6]

I am planning a lighting/electrical project for my small 2 car garage. I need more light but only have 1 wired/switched light in the middle of the garage ceiling. My questions hinge more around how to wire and finish the install.

A few facts...

Garage is fully drywalled. I would love to run all the wiring in the ceiling and down the inside of the walls but that is just not in the cards.

There is one switch by the interior door (attached garage) to the one ceiling light in the middle of the ceiling near the garage door opener.

I am looking to add (4) 4ft T5HO fixtures that are only hardwire installation capable.

From the main breaker the ceiling wiring is on a separate circuit than the wall outlets. Not sure why this is.


My plan right now consists of using an ceiling extension box with 1/2in conduit ports. I plan on coming out of the ceiling with this box and then running PVC Schedule 40 conduit to the new fixtures.

That seems pretty straightforward. My questions are in a few of the details.

Is is better to attempt to pigtail 4 times from the ceiling extension box or pigtail (splice off) at each fixture and run them in a series? I guess its hub at the center vs. running a circle around the ceiling. I like the hub in the center idea but don't know if there is going to be enough room in the extension box to fit all the wiring and wirenuts.

Next question is at the fixtures themselves. The fixtures have a punch in only on the ceiling side of the unit. How would I get into the fixture with the wiring if I dont have wiring in the ceiling? I have seen other fixtures with punch-ins on the side but the the nice T5HO fixtures at HD don't have them on the side. Is this a matter of getting a fixture that will allow a side punch-in or can I cut my own punch-in on a fixture that doesn't have them already there?

Just want to make sure my thought process is right here and that I am doing this correctly. Am I right in thinking that at the fixture I should be using a 'conduit body' to send the wiring into the fixture?

Thanks for any help, it is much appreciated!

Paul

 

[Gary S]

What is under the drywall on the walls? If it isn't insulated, you could drop the wires from the top, but it is a waste of time. If it isn't insulated, pull the drywall and junk it. Then do the wiring right, and insulate. Last, cover it up with a more durable wall sheeting than drywall.

If it is already insulated well under the drywall, your plan is probably the best way to go with exposed conduit.

 

[pattenp]

How high is your ceiling? If it's 9' to 10' I believe you 're wasting your money on T5HO. The T5HO are usually for high ceilings that are in the range of 14' and up. The T5HO will create bright spots when used on low ceilings. You should consider T8's or regular T5.

 

[madosta]

How high is your ceiling? If it's 9' to 10' I believe you 're wasting your money on T5HO. The T5HO are usually for high ceilings that are in the range of 14' and up. The T5HO will create bright spots when used on low ceilings. You should consider T8's or regular T5.

This. I love my T8s. There's been a couple of threads on here where people have bought the T5HOs and been blinded out of their garage!

Exposed conduit looks fine IMHO.

 

[aandpdan]

My plan right now consists of using an ceiling extension box with 1/2in conduit ports. I plan on coming out of the ceiling with this box and then running PVC Schedule 40 conduit to the new fixtures.

That seems pretty straightforward. My questions are in a few of the details.

Is is better to attempt to pigtail 4 times from the ceiling extension box or pigtail (splice off) at each fixture and run them in a series? I guess its hub at the center vs. running a circle around the ceiling. I like the hub in the center idea but don't know if there is going to be enough room in the extension box to fit all the wiring and wirenuts.

How big is the box? You're limited by "box fill."

Assuming 14 gauge wire, with the "hub" system, you're talking at least a 22 cu in box. 10 wire at 2 cu in per, and 1 ground. It is doable.

How about coming out from the center with your conduit to another junction box. From there, you could run to your lights.

 

[eljefino]

Is the switched light right in the middle so it's between the two cars? Do you want a light here?

I'd mount a fixture flush here then use its huge internal space as a splice box/ raceway for all your other stuff to branch out from. I'll +2 the "traditional T8" recommendation: they all have a bazillion potential punch out spots.

Consider running five fixtures, in the shape of an "M" (actually an E turned 90 degrees clockwise) as viewed from the doors. Then you'll have light down the sides of both cars, and in front/ back of them, but not over them.

It's great that your outlets are on a different circuit, BTW. So if you pop the fuse with some power tool you aren't sitting in the dark.

 

[soob]

My floor joists are engineered, so it's really easy to run wires across the ceiling. Are you sure yours aren't?

 

[Requin6]

How high is your ceiling? If it's 9' to 10' I believe you 're wasting your money on T5HO. The T5HO are usually for high ceilings that are in the range of 14' and up. The T5HO will create bright spots when used on low ceilings. You should consider T8's or regular T5.

Yeah they are 9ft ceilings. I can see how the T5HO's would blow you away at the 9ft height. I think I will be in for someT8's

 

[Requin6]

How big is the box? You're limited by "box fill."

Assuming 14 gauge wire, with the "hub" system, you're talking at least a 22 cu in box. 10 wire at 2 cu in per, and 1 ground. It is doable.

How about coming out from the center with your conduit to another junction box. From there, you could run to your lights.

I think that is a great idea. That should eliminate the box fill at the existing ceiling fixture.

 

[Requin6]

Is the switched light right in the middle so it's between the two cars? Do you want a light here?

I'd mount a fixture flush here then use its huge internal space as a splice box/ raceway for all your other stuff to branch out from. I'll +2 the "traditional T8" recommendation: they all have a bazillion potential punch out spots.

Consider running five fixtures, in the shape of an "M" (actually an E turned 90 degrees clockwise) as viewed from the doors. Then you'll have light down the sides of both cars, and in front/ back of them, but not over them.

It's great that your outlets are on a different circuit, BTW. So if you pop the fuse with some power tool you aren't sitting in the dark.

Also a great idea. Although I am not sure I can get a T8 fixture where the existing light is as the garage door opener bracing/hardware is butting up against the existing fixture as it is. I'll have to take a look at it.

So what you are saying is just use the internal space of the fixture to get out of the ceiling and not even need an extension box? Didn't think of that. If I can get a T8 fixture there I may consider that!