Garage receptacles

[warlok]

Hi. I'm in AZ. My 2 story house was built in 2005 (attached 2 car garage) and I had extra receptacles installed when I spec'd the house. So I now have (5) 15A duplex (including a 15A GFCI) in the garage. For some reason, on the same circuit is also the 3 outside receptacles (2 in backyard, one on front porch), and a receptacle in my upstairs laundry room (WTF??). For a total of (9) 15A receptacles on one 15A breaker. I do a lot of work in my garage with power tools, saws, compressor, welders, etc.. If I plug in a work light outside and run my 110v Lincoln MIG (Pro-mig 135), or a HD drill, etc.. I pop the circuit every time. I understand I can't just put a 20A breaker and GFCI and be happy. As stupid as that all is, I think I want to just run a new circuit for a 220V and some 110v receptacles. The panel is on the outside wall of the garage. Before I do, I was curious if there is any other ideas/options I should look at to fix this??
Thanks

 

[pattenp]

Not really. That was poor planning on the circuit. Should have put a separate 20A outlet circuit for the garage. Adding a new 20A circuit for the garage is your best option.

 

[barbedwireleather]

Unfortunately you have just what is required. The best thing would be to run your focus to the garage; 20 amp preferred. One other thing you can do would be to install a sub panel in the garage and then run your circuit wiring from there. I hope this helps you in your decision making. Thanks for reading my post


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[Zeke]

Welcome to the forum. Yeah, 15A outlets are weak for even a Skillsaw and certainly any larger compressor. Sounds like you can access the panel from the inside at the side of bottom (whichever is easiest to get to a knock out) and start from there. If you have room in the panel, you can run your 240v and your 120v circuits right out of the panel. Or you could put a small subpanel directly behind inside.

AFA how you distribute the outlets, there are some options. Conduit or Wiremold will allow for surface mount. If you garage is finished with drywall or osb, you can run Romex behind. The easy way to do that is from the top down for the least amount of cutting. Get your power up to the top plate and work down.

You con't say whether there is a 2nd story above the garage. That complicates things to the point that I'd use the conduit. You actually don't say what your wall condition is. Ideally, it's open studs and you plan on finishing the walls.

So, tell a bit more and go to Introductions and give us the whole skinny if you wish.

 

[warlok]

I just did the intro post..

Yes, it was a ****** design by the builder. The garage is finished with drywall/paint. There is a small attic over the side of the garage that the panel is on. I can go to the top of the wall or just straight through the wall and put receptacles right there. That's probably what I'll do.. My welding table and work bench will be close to that part of the garage.

 

[sberry]

I just did the intro post..

Yes, it was a ****** design by the builder. The garage is finished with drywall/paint. There is a small attic over the side of the garage that the panel is on. I can go to the top of the wall or just straight through the wall and put receptacles right there. That's probably what I'll do.. My welding table and work bench will be close to that part of the garage.

This is ideal. Cut a hole in the wall from the side you are going to install a box and fish a cable thru. A circuit for running 120V power tools and one for a welder. If you want air on demand wire another for that. If you can cut a 4x4 hole below the box to get to it and can move 2 stud bays sideways for every other hole cut.
I saw a recent install, nice to have 100 panel in the garage, 1 circuit and completely dry walled over.