using a relay to switch a 15 amp circuit with a 20 amp circuit

[rs4-380]

Situation: there is a 20 amp/12 ga. outdoor lighting loop that runs from a house to a detached garage. There are additional outdoor lighting fixtures fed from the garage wired with 14 ga.

My desire would be to switch the lighting originating at the garage from the switch in the house, but I can't directly connect the 2 as the garage circuit is run with 14ga.

I'm unfamiliar with the regulations surrounding the use of 110v relays in residential applications, but would something like this, that uses the 20amp circuit to switch the 15 amp circuit (fed from it's own breaker in the garage) pass inspection?

http://www.grainger.com/product/OMRON-Enclosed-Power-Relay-2XC22?nls=0&searchQuery=2XC22

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If you mean having the 20A house circuit feed the coil of the relay to switch the 15A garage circuit so that the 15A lights come on when you turn on the 20A lights, yes, it can be safely done. I have no idea of what codes would be involved.

Tommy

 

[rs4-380]

If you mean having the 20A house circuit feed the coil of the relay to switch the 15A garage circuit so that the 15A lights come on when you turn on the 20A lights, yes, it can be safely done. I have no idea of what codes would be involved.

Tommy

yes, that would be the functionality. I know this would work, I'm just not sure if this is an accepted application under NEC codes.

 

[Beemer533]

Assuming this circuit is usually on at night and off during the day, you could just install a photocell; then you don't have to worry about setting up a relay (not that it is difficult) or even having to turn them on and off.

I use this exact one in a couple of circuits to turn on/off my landscape lights and outlets I have installed in the soffits for Christmas lights. Works very well.

 

[Stuff]

You are only allowed to have one feeder/circuit to a detached structure. Since you would be using it as a control circuit you might still pass. Old way was to convert it to 24v before entering the garage. Better way now is to look into some type of remote control - X10/ZigBee/Z-Wave

 

[rs4-380]

You are only allowed to have one feeder/circuit to a detached structure. Since you would be using it as a control circuit you might still pass. Old way was to convert it to 24v before entering the garage. Better way now is to look into some type of remote control - X10/ZigBee/Z-Wave

so sounds like even if I didn't have the 15/20 amp issue I still couldn't use this line in the garage?


As for photocells, etc, I'd like to have control from the house.

 

[Beemer533]

You could always install a remote... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q9EFUK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you really want the relay, you could plug in a 12 VDC wallwart to the 20A circuit and use the 12V to power the relay..

 

[rs4-380]

what's the reasoning behind the one feeder rule? To make sure there is a single disconnect?

 

[Trey T]

I highly suggest you install a smart switch instead and control it w/ Z-Wave gateway/hub. We're in a transitioning phase of moving toward home automation. I'm not a tech savvy but I can learn and it's easy. If you know how to work an iPhone, you can figure out how to navigate your ways around Z-Wave configuration - VERY EASY!

I started out finding a way to control my outdoor lights. I didn't look into relay switching but I looked into timers switches but that was quite frustrating w/ the quality of the switch. I researched about ways to control outdoor lightings and found out about Z-Wave. BEST THING EVER.

Like one of the member stated, Z-Wave is one of the protocol (language) that's offered out there. I recommend the Z-Wave protocol because I believe it's controlling majority of the market out there.

 

[Trey T]

Situation: there is a 20 amp/12 ga. outdoor lighting loop that runs from a house to a detached garage. There are additional outdoor lighting fixtures fed from the garage wired with 14 ga.

My desire would be to switch the lighting originating at the garage from the switch in the house, but I can't directly connect the 2 as the garage circuit is run with 14ga.

I'm unfamiliar with the regulations surrounding the use of 110v relays in residential applications, but would something like this, that uses the 20amp circuit to switch the 15 amp circuit (fed from it's own breaker in the garage) pass inspection?

http://www.grainger.com/product/OMRON-Enclosed-Power-Relay-2XC22?nls=0&searchQuery=2XC22

If you still want to use a relay, you don't necessarily need to refer to NEC to make sense of it. Think a relay is another device or switch. In term of code, just like any other switch, you need to find an enclosure that's appropriate for the relay.

You are only allowed to have one feeder/circuit to a detached structure. Since you would be using it as a control circuit you might still pass. Old way was to convert it to 24v before entering the garage. Better way now is to look into some type of remote control - X10/ZigBee/Z-Wave

That doesn't sound right can you clarify? He has a detached garage not a shed. I have a detached garage connected by a breezeway and my breaker box is in my garage. By your explanation, my home is the detached structure from my garage and it has more than one circuit.

 

[rockwithjason]

Nec 225.30. There is no distinction between detached garage and shed in the code. If your garage is physically attached to your house then is is not a detached structure.

 

[Trey T]

Right! NEC do not classify whether it's a detached or not, that's the local authority, City or County when the builder apply for the permit. That makes sense bc NEC is in the electrical business, not land development business. However, they classify the use of electrical installation for "dwelling unit" or "other than dwelling unit" for various items in the Code.

AAMF, I was shopping for a second home recently, and I only looked for a "detached" garage (homes built w/in 5yrs) and they all had breezeway and they're all classified as "detached" by the City and County - LEGALLY!. The breaker box were all in the detached garages - JUST LIKE MINE.

 

[Stuff]

I am guessing that for tax purposes the breezeway is not counted as square footage so they call it a detached garage. For safety inspection purposes your "authority having jurisdiction" can call it attached via that breezeway. The tax collector and the building inspector may work in the same building but use different definitions.

 

[ishiboo]

That doesn't sound right can you clarify? He has a detached garage not a shed. I have a detached garage connected by a breezeway and my breaker box is in my garage. By your explanation, my home is the detached structure from my garage and it has more than one circuit.

If it was considered detached, it would no longer be code to do that. If the breezeway made it attached, it would. Simple as that. Without the breezeway, it's definitely not allowed.

It would be up to the inspector whether or not they want to allow it as attached. I believe technically most people would consider it attached, since it's... attached.