Dedicated circuit for block heater outlets?

[diggler306]

First off - I am verrry green when it comes to electrical. So I have been reading and reading, talking to people, etc in hopes to start the learning process. I'm hoping to learn enough to be able to wire in some extra outlets/switches/lights in my garage before finishing it.

Anyway, when my garage was built, they installed one outlet on each side of the garage, each on it's own circuit, intended for plugging in your car's block heater.

I'm just wondering why they should be on their own dedicated circuits? They are not GFCI plugs. Is it a load thing? or are they more prone to tripping due to moisture, and it's just best not to have anything else on that circuit for that reason?

Thanks!!

 

[pattenp]

I can't imagine it's a load issue with a block heater. Are these two outlets the only wall outlets in the garage? I don't know Canada's code but here all outlets in a garage need to be GFCI protected.

 

[Teken]

The CEC does not call out that the interior garage outlets require GFCI's. Only exterior outlets are required to be so.

With respect to installing a GFCI for the interior (extra switches) definitely a good idea to ensure some measure of life and safety.

Having said all of this: A GFCI in our Northern temperatures will results in nuisance trips when a block heater is being plugged into the outlet. When the mercury drops below -25'C this problem is very persistent.

Teken . . .

 

[Stuart in MN]

Depends on the size of the engine block heaters that were in the original owner's cars - they could have been 1000 or even 1500 watts per heater, which would have required dedicated circuits.

 

[sberry]

Yes, block heaters can and do trip them especially as they get older. I have a couple places I have wired outlet around gfci just for them and its not a big deal, these are a 3 wire grounded piece anyway. I think you could get 30ma units for equipment too, this helps if you just got to have it but I don't. As I recall I have one or 2 that are hi, 1500w, they technically wouldn't require a dedicated, they are not fixed in place, just like any other electric portable heater.

 

[diggler306]

Depends on the size of the engine block heaters that were in the original owner's cars - they could have been 1000 or even 1500 watts per heater, which would have required dedicated circuits.

I am the original owner, and we had the garage built by the home builder during our closing period.

From my continued reading, it sounds like you could be right, in that depending on the vehicle, the block heater could draw a lot of power... making a dedicated circuit a good idea. Thanks!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

First off - I am verrry green when it comes to electrical. So I have been reading and reading, talking to people, etc in hopes to start the learning process. I'm hoping to learn enough to be able to wire in some extra outlets/switches/lights in my garage before finishing it.

Anyway, when my garage was built, they installed one outlet on each side of the garage, each on it's own circuit, intended for plugging in your car's block heater.

I'm just wondering why they should be on their own dedicated circuits? They are not GFCI plugs. Is it a load thing? or are they more prone to tripping due to moisture, and it's just best not to have anything else on that circuit for that reason?

Thanks!!

What is the typical load of a block heater(we don't use 'em down here)? And if they're exposed to moisture then they SHOULD be GFCI protected!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Whoops. Nevermind. Someone answered while I was posting! So, since a block heater can draw quite a bit, I'd say a dedicated circuit for it is a good idea, unless u want to have to deal with other things loosing power when the breaker trips!

 

[sberry]

They are 3 wire and can get them in various wattages up to 1500 or so @ 120V, I believe for heavier demands can get 240v. They are made below a threshold where the actually would require dedicated,,, not considered fixed equipment.

 

[Sureshot]

I split my outlets so that each half has its own breaker. As well as the block heater you may have a battery warmer, oil warmer, or interior warmer on any given vehicle. You could put the circuits on switches or timers as well depending on your schedule and lifestyle.