adding receptacles opinions needed on duplex or quad recept.

[juicegoose]

Just moved into my new house and although I was shocked to see they had 5 duplex receptacles on a 15 amp circuit in the garage(usually there are less then that) and a single dedicated 20 amp plug I knew this wouldn't be enough. I've drawn up a plan and roughly am planning to add 3-4 220v circuits a subpanel, and a series of new outlets. Right now I have it planned to put in double gang boxes and a 2 duplex setup at each outlet location. Additionally I was planning on having 2 circuits to each box. For the total amount of circuits it would end up being roughly 2 20a circuits with 10 duplex receptacles on each circuit. Lately though I've been thinking of maybe just installing 1 duplex receptacle at each location instead or 2(two plugs instead of 4) anyone have any opinions? I know the ole addage is go for broke and the more the better. Just thinking it might be overkill.

 

[gatchel]

Install what you think you will need. You can always add more circuits and outlets. Think of what you will be doing in the space and how many tools / circuits you will be using at once and what the tools draw.

However, I personally wouldn't put 10 outlets on one circuit. I would limit it to 5 or so.
If you are going to have a workbench the quad outlet configurations could come in handy there.

As long as you follow code, there is really no wrong way to do it.

 

[porschedude996TT]

If this is a private home shop and you and maybe a buddy are working in the shop using some power tools there is the problem with stringing a bunch of receptacles on the same circuit.

I am the only one that works in my 1200 sq ft shop and I have two 120v 20 amp circuits that have 13 duplex receptacles on each circuit. They are convenience outlets. I can only run a couple of tools at a time... I also have 4 240v receptacles of various amperages. There is no limit to the number of convenience outlets within the US Elec. Code.

If this was a Commercial Building then that is a totally different answer. In that envirorment, there may be an employee on each machine and that would require the machines to be hardwire in most cases and each would have a dedicated circuit.

I thought about going with two duplex receptacles at each location and ended up with using a single duplex about every 4 to six feet around the whole shop. On one side I used 10 gage wire to reduce any line loss and because I have the material thinking that I might as well over kill it while I have the material and the time...

 

[juicegoose]

Ya I'll primary be doing the work in my shop by myself with the occasional extra person. My largest concern is have the breaker trip. In my last house I couldn't run my tablesaw and little shopvac at the same time because it would trip the circuit. Now that was a 15 amp circuit granted.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Just moved into my new house and although I was shocked to see they had 5 duplex receptacles on a 15 amp circuit in the garage(usually there are less then that) and a single dedicated 20 amp plug I knew this wouldn't be enough.

In single and multi family dwellings and hotel and motel rooms, the loads on most general purpose outlets are calculated as part of the general lighting load, thus the number may vary on a given circuit. On other than single and mutl family dwellings, and this would include DETACHED garages, shops and buildings; loads on receptacles are calculated at 180 va per yoke or strap for single, duplex and triplex receptacles. Thus, in such situations, you are allowed up to 10 receptacles per 15 amp circuit breaker (so long as no other loads are on the circuit) and up to 13 receptacles on 20 amp breakers.

The single dedicated 20 amp receptacle is probably intended for a freezer, commonly found in garages.

You don't say how big this garage is, and whether its attached or detached (makes a big difference in electric codes) but if the garage is a typical small attached two car garage, and you won't have much more than a workbench with a grinder and possibly a drill press, and you don't expect to plug in much more than a couple of task lights and a fan or something else like that, you probably don't need much in the way of electrical circuits. A couple of additional 20 amp/12 gauge wire, circuits each with three or four receptacles will be overkill

Charles

 

[juicegoose]

Charles thanks for the info and I'll answer you with more info that you requested.

The garage is a 2 1/2 car attached garage. it measures 20'-3" wide by 21'-8" deep in the two main bays and the extra bay off the back is 9'-6" x 13'-4".

I am a woodworker and as such havea
1 1/2hp bandsaw,
10" table saw(15 amp motor draw doubt thats running amps but just whats listed)
6" jointer
13" planer
3 hp 220v dust collector
drill press
12" sliding compound mitersaw
and other various tools

 

[ddawg16]

juice....I'm a woodworker as well...but just as a hobby....expensive hobby....

Power should not be an issue as we both know you only run one tool at a time...with the exception of maybe a compressor and the dust collector (which is next on my list). If at all possible you want that dust collector on it's own circuit. Right now I'm using my shop vac as a dust collector...if I turn on my table saw and I have my vac on the same circuit...you hear the RPM's drop on the vac for a moment...but if I have it on a different ckt...no issues.

I have all of my outlets setup as dual recepticles....works fine.

You might want to consider a couple of outlets in the ceiling. I have a beam across the middle of my garage (supports second floor) and I have two outlets equally spaced....on one side I have a pig tail that hangs down. This makes a great spot to plug the table saw into...I hate cords snaking on the floor.

 

[juicegoose]

Thanks for the info on your setup ddawg. What i'll probably do then is take the existing 20a receptacle used only for the freezer and expand it with just the duplex receptacle at each location. save a little money at least right!!!