Adding outlets from condo main box

[cuthroat72]

I apologize if this has been addressed before. This is a total newb question, so please go gently on me. I used the search function, but I could not find a straightforward answer to my question, that or the answer didn't register (I am coming off of call, and am borderline delirious.)

The condo I am living in has one breaker box that is responsible for all of the electrical in the condo, which includes the garage, which unfortunately has a grand total of 1 outlet. I need a more outlets, because the one that is in the garage is in the absolute least useable place in the garage, which is between the garage door and the "man-door", exactly opposite of my workbench.

The breaker panel has some unused space. There are 4 metal tabs that have not been broken off (blanks? is that the term?). How difficult is it to add circuits in this situation? Running the wires themselves is not that big of a deal, as the garage is unfinished.

In terms of what I want to use in the garage, everything I will use is 110, which includes a flux-core welder, air compressor, drill press, and eventually a bench-grinder.

I am NOT an electrician, but an competent enough to at least hang the conduit and run the wires. Before I go to all of that trouble though, I want to be sure that I am not wasting time (and money), by seeing if this is an option. My preference is to have these circuits be dedicated for the outlets only, as the welder and the compressor have "kicked" breakers back at Dad's shop.

What do I need to look for or be aware of? Is this even a feasible option?

Again, I apologize for asking you guys this. It's just something that I don't know anything about, and I am looking to learn for future reference.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Don't see why not, but have to ask, do you own this or renting?
Have to be careful, I'm not saying your gonn'a mess it up and start a fire, but there might be liability issues to consider 1st.
If that is not an issue, then yes, I am sure you can do it,Would be best if you allowed in your area to do your own work, to be sure to pull a permit, and have the work inspected. As I think some states, you are not allowed to do your own work, or may not be allowed if it is a rental, or so on. Have to find out.
Again, not saying your gonna start a fire, but I have heard that insurance companies are "quick to blame" electrical if there is a fire, and the work was not 100% to code and not inspected, they *may*try to deny a claim.
If the above is taken into consideration, then, Yes someone will/should be able to help you with the wiring.
Pretty sure new install in a garage needs to be GFI outlets. So that is something to think about /look into also. There are exceptions, say for a freezer, I think, for one,
Not sure about a circuit(s) for welder/compressor, something to look into as well.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[MrMark]

Should be no problem unless you live in one of a couple communist states back east where they don't allow a homeowner to do electrical work due to the electrical unions. I wouldn't bother with the permit. That leads to nothing but trouble and in all honestly it's just about money. I've made the mistake of getting permits in the past. All you get is to pay out fees and no real check. If they actually did go over your work and knew enough to make your job better it would be one thing, but I don't see that happening. You'd be better off paying an electrician to take a quick look. No one is ever going to know you added what when.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I see what your saying Mark, but *If* he is not the Owner, or *If" there was a fire, It's just a CYA type of thing. Even If the AHJ don't know what he's doing, or don't really look at it, at least you have the paper. Then the insurance Co. can't say $&it.
Thanks, Tony

You'd be better off paying an electrician to take a quick look.

That's a good Idea/point.

No one is ever going to know you added what when.

No! The landlord might if it is a rental.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Its a condo, even if he is the owner, many locales will not allow anyone but a licensed electrician to do the work in a multi-occupancy building. Tremendous amount of liability involved.

Charles

 

[cuthroat72]

Thanks guys. I am not going to attempt to hook the electrical up myself. If adding to the current box is doable, all I was intending to do was to string some wire and hang some conduit. I plan on letting someone "in the know" do that part. I figure the time consuming part is running the wire and hanging the boxes. I may be assuming too much in figuring that electricians charge by the hour... or by the job... but either way if the electrician has less to do, then I figure my wallet can stay a little thicker. Yes, I own the condo, so that's not an issue.

I guess that's a good segue into my "what gauge wire, how many outlets, and what size breaker" questions. I live in Johnson City TN, if my questions spark code issue thoughts.
Keep in mind I want to run a 110 welder and air compressor.

You guys are the most helpful bunch of folks I have ever run across. It makes me proud to be here!

Thanks for the replies!

 

[nehog]

Thanks guys. I am not going to attempt to hook the electrical up myself. If adding to the current box is doable, all I was intending to do was to string some wire and hang some conduit. I plan on letting someone "in the know" do that part. ...

Make your arrangements before you do anything, as in many locations electricans won't hook up stuff where you run the wires, mostly for liability reasons (like homeowners who splice wires and connect black to white and white to black thinking that both 'carry the power so what's the difference...'.

So before starting, set up the contractor and make sure you have one that will work with you.

BTW, this is not rocket science, likely you could with a good book as a guide, do it all yourself if you are careful. But that is your choice, I know people who don't like even opening the door on their breaker panel thinking they are risking their lives.

 

[cuthroat72]

Thanks nehog. I am pretty "with it" when it comes to common sense. I am not scared of doing wiring, especially on DC. I have a 1972 Bronco that I put a new wiring harness in from the headlights to the tail lights, and have added circuits to that for lights, CB, etc. However, I am well aware that AC circuits are a completely different animal. It's because of this that I am a little apprehensive. I agree that if I had a good guidebook I would be able to pull it off, but the more technical aspects would require just enough time for me to get started before I would have to get back to studying. I am preparing to take a pair of exams (one in April, one in June), in addition to finishing all of the school's requirements for graduation. I am away from the condo for up to 80 hrs. a week, which doesn't include time studying, so I try to limit my distractions to a couple of hours a day.

I still have plenty of time to get the job done, so I am willing to buy the wire one day, the conduit a couple of weeks later, and so on. I need to get the specs on the welder and compressor so I know exactly what I need so I can figure up what kind of power demands to expect, and from there breaker size, wire size, etc. Next opportunity I get to go to my parents' place I will make a point of going to their neighbor's house to pick his brain just for verification's sake (certified electrician and long time family friend). Depending on what he says, I may have the confidence to do it myself.

If I do go with an electrician, I will check and make sure it's okay to run the wire without them being present, then let them hook all of the wires up to power at both the box and the outlets.

Again, you guys are awesome. Thanks so much for the info!

 

[Underdog]

Its a condo, even if he is the owner, many locales will not allow anyone but a licensed electrician to do the work in a multi-occupancy building. Tremendous amount of liability involved.

Charles

Another question is if this is a common panel feeding more than one garage? And second who pays the light bill? Maybe the other owners don't want a bunch of electrical outlets in "your" garage eating electric. Maybe a better idea is to use an extension cord and leave the common wiring alone.

 

[cuthroat72]

I get an individual electric bill, and each condo has a separate meter I believe. I won't be starting a business or anything like that, so the welding, grinding, etc. will mostly be for personal use. What I meant by "main" box, is that there is only one panel for my condo, and there is not a separate box in the basement. The power from the one breaker box feeds everything in the place, garage included. Good point though. I'll double check that. I doubt, however, that they divide the power bill between the 16 condos here and I still come out with a electric bill that's sometimes less than $40.

Thanks for the thought Underdog. I will be sure to double check.

 

[SuperSocket]

Best bet is to get a certified electrician... not just a friend or buddy in the know. The liability is huge and I bet under your contracts with your condo (all condos have contracts) you will not be allowed to run any electrical yourself. The liability could be HUGE. It's one thing to burn your own house down with no one hurt, it's a whole another thing to catch a multiple unit building on fire with peoples lives at stake.


Just play it safe and call a certified electrician first.

 

[cuthroat72]

The family friend IS a certified electrician. I may have forgotten to mention that. Sorry!

 

[SuperSocket]

The family friend IS a certified electrician. I may have forgotten to mention that. Sorry!

Then buy him some beer and you'd be all set

 

[mrb]

The family friend IS a certified electrician. I may have forgotten to mention that. Sorry!

Certified electrician? Is he a licensed contractor, or is he an electrician (perhaps with a journeyman card) that works for a contractor or factory? He needs to be a licensed contractor, pull a permit for the work and have it inspected. Your condo association may require an insurance certificate from him, and they may have to approve the work first -especially if any of the electrical youre running is in common walls.

 

[cuthroat72]

mrb, I didn't think of that. He's an electrician. He worked at ALCOA as an electrician for years before he retired. The problem with just getting him to do the work is he's 2 hours from me. That'd be the downside to moving for school. You're away from all your buddies and friends that know what they're doing, and because you are doing schoolwork, you don't really have time to find anyone in the area you're in without looking in the phonebook, which definitely means money.
There are no common walls involved except the cinder block walls in the basement, and the wires will be in conduit on the surface of the walls. However, I have recently run into an issue that might require a move in the next 9 months (no, I haven't flunked out of school. There's just a slim chance of me getting a residency here and I need to explore some options).

So I think I will have to let this issue simmer for a while until I can get it all figured out.
Is there a forum on here that would allow me to pose questions about living in certain cities across the US? I am going to try to stay here if at all possible, which would be great as I already have a place to live, don't have to pack, etc. etc.; However, the opportunity to live somewhere else for 3 year or so is appealing due to the prospect of seeing new things and having some new stories to tell.

One of the Residency programs I am looking at is in Pueblo CO, which is quite a way from my Tennessee home, where I will ultimately reside.

Thanks to all who have replied. I appreciate the advice, and if I do get the opportunity to stay here I will definitely apply this knowledge in my current garage. If I have to move, then get ready for a bunch of pics and a garage build/remodel.