Adding a bit more juice

[DBordello]

I am setting up shop in my garage. And I quickly realized that I might need a little more current.

The garage was wired with two circuits:

• 20A -- Connected to a pair of 20A simplex outlets (originally intended for a fridge / freezer)
• 20A -- Connected to a series of 15A GFCI duplex outlets.

Additionally, the main panel is also in the garage, albeit on the wrong side. However, I have access to the attic above the garage, and imagine running new wire wouldn't be problematic.

I setup my workbench, installed a power strip on the first 20A circuit. I turned on my 1500W heater, dual T5 fixture, and got to work. As soon as I fired up my palm sander, I tripped the breaker in the power strip. Lesson learned, the power strip is 15A, probably not that well rated, new power strip is on the way.

However, I am thinking ahead. How should I expand my electrical setup? I am thinking modest level tools, palm sander, router, power saw, etc. Since I am running mostly 120V, what is the best setup? Can I run a 50A circuit, to a pair of 20A outlets? Then I can use additional 20A power strips? Or would it be better to run several 20A circuits to the bench?

General advice?

 

[pattenp]

You can't run 20A outlets off of a 50A circuit. You either need to add some more 20A circuits or can a 50A sub-panel with 20A circuits coming off of it.

 

[DBordello]

That seems like reasonable advice. I guess running 4x20A is probably pretty easy.

 

[sberry]

You wont need several circuits but one or 2 that are not already loaded.

 

[pattenp]

Just a FYI... Per NEC, all 125V outlets in a garage are to be GFCI protected.

Also your 1500W heater is close to the max amps that should be run on a 15A circuit.

 

[DBordello]

Just a FYI... Per NEC, all 125V outlets in a garage are to be GFCI protected.

Also your 1500W heater is close to the max amps that should be run on a 15A circuit.

That explains the note written on the outlet, that it is NOT GFCI protected. Is this a safety risk? What is the easiest way to accomplish adding GFCI protection?

 

[pattenp]

That explains the note written on the outlet, that it is NOT GFCI protected. Is this a safety risk? What is the easiest way to accomplish adding GFCI protection?

The people who make up the code think it's a risk.

Install a GFCI outlet as the first device on the circuit so it protects all outlets down stream. You can also get GFIC breakers that go in the panel that protects the whole circuit. The GFCI outlet is the cheapest solution.

 

[DBordello]

The people who make up the code think it's a risk.

Install a GFCI outlet as the first device on the circuit so it protects all outlets down stream. You can also get GFIC breakers that go in the panel that protects the whole circuit. The GFCI outlet is the cheapest solution.

Great, thank you. I will probably go one of those routes.

 

[sberry]

Ideally I would want to run a heater on a 20 but its legal on a 15 with nothing else on it.