Garage electrical panel install options

[Mike_72]

I’d love some input from you guys regarding the pros and cons of installing my garage breaker panel recessed between the studs and flush with the drywall or surface mount over a plywood panel on the studs.

I am guessing surface mounting makes any future circuit additions easier and also allows for full thickness insulation behind it and the flush mounting would end up being a cleaner looking install.

What other considerations should be taken?

 

[The Cobbler]

I recessed my panel. put 2" XPS foam behind it. have a good few inches around the perimeter and studs.
pros, it doesnt jut out from the wall
cons, less insulation behind it.
neither pro nor con, if need to add a circuit, have to remove some plywood panel, but would have to presumably do that with a surface panel too

 

[jon.j.shields]

I think there will be a significant cost increase running everything in EMT as apposed to romex wire in the walls. But, that being said we are having plans drawn for our new shop and everything will be run outside the walls to allow for changes, additions and upgrades.

For example, when we built our shop we had a travel trailer that was a 110v 30amp, we now have a motor home that is 220v 50amp and I cannot change it... and I am stuck with my welder in one corner of the shop because where I placed the outlet...


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[Jkcolo22]

I think there will be a significant cost increase running everything in EMT as apposed to romex wire in the walls. But, that being said we are having plans drawn for our new shop and everything will be run outside the walls to allow for changes, additions and upgrades.

For example, when we built our shop we had a travel trailer that was a 110v 30amp, we now have a motor home that is 220v 50amp and I cannot change it... and I am stuck with my welder in one corner of the shop because where I placed the outlet...


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I wired everything I could in the walls. Romex is cheaper and faster than conduit. Anything I need to add in the future, I’ll use conduit. I actually ran Romex to metal boxes in several locations where I wasn’t sure exactly where a large tool would ultimately end up. I also upsized wire in several locations in case I need more amps in the future (Welder and RV were two such locations). While cost was a major consideration, I also didn’t want conduit all over the place and in the way of mounting stuff on the wall.


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[teamextreme]

Pro's and cons are as OP stated, but the real determining factor is how you're going to be running your circuits. Surface conduit, then surface mount the panel. Romex in the wall, then flush mount the panel.

 

[Mike_72]

Pro's and cons are as OP stated, but the real determining factor is how you're going to be running your circuits. Surface conduit, then surface mount the panel. Romex in the wall, then flush mount the panel.

Definitely going to be running romex in the walls. With the panel flush mounted, will I be limited to only the openings in the top and bottom of the panel since the sides will be blocked by the studs? Or would you typically pre drill holes in the studs that align with the holes on the side of the panel?

 

[Cbags]

You will limited to the openings in the top and bottom of the panel but there should be more than enough knock outs for you between the top and the bottom of the can. One thing I would recommend is if you are going to do a flush mount (which is what I would do) you could always pull a couple spare circuits up to your attic and leave them up there. That way you can use them if you ever plan on adding anything in the future.

 

[Jim greengo]

Or stub a piece of conduit into attic above ceiling and cap it off for a future chase.

 

[The Cobbler]

..... will I be limited to only the openings in the top and bottom of the panel since the sides will be blocked by the studs? ......

is it framed yet? make that stud bay 24" c-c .

 

[teamextreme]

Or stub a piece of conduit into attic above ceiling and cap it off for a future chase.

Yup, that's what I did, 2 3/4" EMT conduits up to 4-11/16 boxes mounted in the attic.

 

[ard]

Run a piece of 1" emt to a 4" box in the middle of each wall. All behind the sheetrock.

Mount the panel flush (ie inside the wall)

In the future you can add circuits easily with a box extension and piece of EMT (if needed- the box on each wall might be close enough)

 

[Mike_72]

is it framed yet? make that stud bay 24" c-c .

Already framed.