Help adding extra 110v receptacles

[Speedfreakbbc]

I consider myself pretty handy. I have replaced switches and outlets before. That being said I would like to add a new circuit with 4 new outlets in my garage to power a door opener and random power tools. Now to the questions:
1. Is a standard 20a breaker sufficient. I will be running a 110v welder that trips the gfi on my current circuit when I turn it off.
2. My house was built in 2008 and all of the current wiring is run through the uninsulated garage wall. There are 2 empty plastic conduits running from the top of the box into the attic can i use one of these to drop the new wire? I didn't know if these were some safety measure that I was unaware of?
3. I planned to put one outlet just below the breaker box. Can I run the wire back through the box to get to the attic?
4. I remember seeing a receptacle box that could be installed in a wall that had already been sheet rocked but I can't find it anywhere. If anyone knows what I am talking about, a link would be great.

I am open to all criticism and suggestions. There is a reason that I posted long before I started the project.

Thanks

 

[ishiboo]

I consider myself pretty handy. I have replaced switches and outlets before. That being said I would like to add a new circuit with 4 new outlets in my garage to power a door opener and random power tools. Now to the questions:
1. Is a standard 20a breaker sufficient. I will be running a 110v welder that trips the gfi on my current circuit when I turn it off.
2. My house was built in 2008 and all of the current wiring is run through the uninsulated garage wall. There are 2 empty plastic conduits running from the top of the box into the attic can i use one of these to drop the new wire? I didn't know if these were some safety measure that I was unaware of?
3. I planned to put one outlet just below the breaker box. Can I run the wire back through the box to get to the attic?
4. I remember seeing a receptacle box that could be installed in a wall that had already been sheet rocked but I can't find it anywhere. If anyone knows what I am talking about, a link would be great.

I am open to all criticism and suggestions. There is a reason that I posted long before I started the project.

Thanks

1. For a 120v circuit, 20a is the maximum for standard outlets. Usually if you are worried about a welder you would go to a 240v outlet for the welder. Use 12-2 wire for the 20a breaker... usually the yellow stuff at the store these days.

2. Sounds like they were added just for this purpose... go right ahead. You're lucky

3. To clarify - you would drop down to an outlet below the load center, then back up through? I'm not sure if there is anything against that or not, but to be cleaner I would use a breaker that accepts two wires if possible, if not use a wire nut in the panel off the breaker to split the hot.

4. There are hundreds of these, they are called "old work" boxes. Your local big box store will have many. Go with the largest (deepest) you can fit. The thermoplastic fiber-reinforced boxes are stronger than the cheap plastic ones. They have screws which when turned, "open up" and pull tabs against the wall. For frequently used outlets there are also boxes you can cut in which screw to a stud.

 

[Speedfreakbbc]

I didn't know if there was a breaker that you could attach 2 wires to. That is a great idea. As far as the "old work boxes" go I have used the ones with tabs for low voltage wiring but I didn't know if it was code.

 

[ishiboo]

I didn't know if there was a breaker that you could attach 2 wires to. That is a great idea. As far as the "old work boxes" go I have used the ones with tabs for low voltage wiring but I didn't know if it was code.

There are, availability depends on what panel you have though.

Low voltage old work typically is not enclosed. They make the same thing for high voltage which is the same as a regular box, just not open in the back.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I didn't know if there was a breaker that you could attach 2 wires to. That is a great idea. As far as the "old work boxes" go I have used the ones with tabs for low voltage wiring but I didn't know if it was code.

Square D breakers, both Homeline, and QO are both approved for two wires under the connection. I don't know of any other brands that are. As noted, you can simply run a pigtail off the breaker and wirenut the wire going up, and the wire going down, to it, Connect both neutrals and both grounds directly to the bars in the panel.

The old work boxes install just like the low voltage ones. Low voltage boxes tend to be open backed (as least the ones I've seen) but regular old work boxes install the same way.

Charles