Conduit, outlets and switches on garage walls

[thaxboyd]

The garage is set up with 100 amp service and have the breaker box on the wall... getting ready to install outlets and such. I do not want to cut open the drywall to put it inside and have decided to run it external. I want it to look as nice as possible and was looking for ideas on what boxes and conduit everyone recommends?

 

[NUTTSGT]

EMT would look the cleanest but if you can't bend conduit, you'll have an issue. If that's the case, you may want to go with PVC. Simple to cut/glue together. You can also heat and bend to desired shape.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I used PVC and like the look. Others detest the look.

 

[thaxboyd]

I don't mind that look at all. Kinda ads an industrial look to the shop. Looks as if the boxes have tabs for screws, is that right? Thanks for sharing

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Yeah, they are the PVC single and two gang boxes typically used for outdoor installations. A bit more expensive than steel, but I didn’t want to paint steel and I didn’t want to see rusty metal boxes years down the road.

 

[Duke74]

The problem with pvc is that it’s hard to make it look neat unless you want to strap it every little ways. Emt can be strapped every 5 feet on a run, once you have strapped at an outlet box. Emt will not sag like pvc will.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I ran mostly 3/4” pvc. Code says it must be secured every 3 ft. Can’t see how it’s gonna sag at those intervals.

 

[Bert_]

EMT and 4sq metal boxes.

Even with lots of straps the PVC will turn wavy when the temperature changes.

 

[rburke65]

It’s just a personal choice....PVC or EMT. Myself, I vote for the EMT and 4”x 4” deep boxes. There are instructions on line on How to bend conduit

 

[Dagny]

wire slides much much easier in thinwall.

 

[Shiftless]

Here is another vote for EMT.
Just get yourself a bender, watch a few YouTube videos, and practice bending on a few lengths of tubing. Sure, you’ll make some mistakes, but EMT isn’t too expensive. My little shop has only about 50 feet of half inch with more than a few bends. I used all 4x4 boxes but only one deep one where I needed a junction box with more than a few wires. No 240V wiring as of now.

 

[Terry D]

EMT with 1900 boxes ( 4x4 )

 

[Duke74]

Are your 4x4 boxes labelled 1900? Ours in Canada are Iberville made. They are 52151k for regular ones and 52171k for the deep ones. They give you 1/2 and 3/4 knockouts.

 

[Terry D]

Are your 4x4 boxes labelled 1900? Ours in Canada are Iberville made. They are 52151k for regular ones and 52171k for the deep ones

Its slang here. Its a original part number from a long time ago. I've always called them that, when I came in the trade, that's what everyone called them. If I go to a supply house, I ask for a deep or shallow 1900. Probably the same box you are referring to.

 

[aandpdan]

Another vote for EMT. It doesn't take that long to learn how to bend.

 

[Bert_]

I've never called the 1900 boxes. When I call in an order I just say 4SEK or 4SDEK, for shallow and deep, since the supplier I use carries Appleton.

 

[Noltz]

I ran PVC. Secured at 2' instead of 3' on the horizontals, but it's unlikely it'd have sagged either way. I can't bend EMT and honestly I prefer the grey. It's also easy to reconfigure.

 

[nadogail]

Wiremold is an alternative to EMT for exposed areas.

 

[rburke65]

I find it strange that you wo7ld drywall before you wired, but....different strokes.

 

[thaxboyd]

I find it strange that you wo7ld drywall before you wired, but....different strokes.

Hmmm, I should have came out here when they built the house way before I owned it and had them do it. But I was slow getting here. Where is the eye rolling emoji?

 

[slowtwitch73]

I like wires on the outside personally.

 

[thaxboyd]

I like wires on the outside personally.

Outside the conduit?

 

[Neggy]

Pro's use EMT, hacks use PVC

 

[Duke74]

surface-run emt conduit is the way to go for a shop. It makes it a lot easier to feed something in the future that you might want to add. As long as you have room in the conduit for extra circuits, it’s a cake walk. Plus, if you wanna add another receptacle or light fixture. Lots of times all it takes is a short piece of conduit to get there.

 

[Bert_]

Pro's use EMT, hacks use PVC

Pvc has it's place. Corrosive environments or if it's getting washed down regularly, PVC would be my go-to.

Most other places get EMT.

 

[rawen2]

What type wire do you guys run in the conduit? Probably not Romex.

 

[Bert_]

What type wire do you guys run in the conduit? Probably not Romex.

Thhn

 

[Firebrick43]

EMT, and spend a few minutes on a video learning offset bends instead of the crappy offset bend fittings

 

[nadogail]

Benfield wrote the best book on bending EMT. I used it, along with the video 20+ years ago when teaching electrical wiring.