Help adding fluorescent fixtures...

[brent245]

I just had a new home built and am going to be moving in this weekend, my first project will be the garage, epoxy flooring and lighting. Right now there is only a porcelain base screw in CFL lighting the garage. I am quite versed in electrical wiring and have no issues adding more fixtures. However, How many fixtures could this circuit support? I would like to do (2) 48" dual 32w t8 fixtures to start with and possibly add 2 more fixtures in the future.

Is this feasible?

 

[Journaler]

I sure hope so, because that's exactly what I did!

 

[jbberns]

Depends on what else is on that circuit. Shouldn't be a problem, but how many other lights and recepts are on with it?

 

[eljefino]

Go for it; there's usually room for a little expansion. Forget the code exactly but they allow ~12 outlets on a breaker but only put ~10 in to start with. Realistically they sized your screw base for a ~100 watt incandescent bulb and it'll do fine with 128 watts of T8.

Since you had the place built, did you have your hands in the building process or is this something of an afterthought?

 

[brent245]

Well I had no control over anything really, it wasn't a custom home. I had a list of upgrades I could choose from, nothing special or designed by me was allowed. It was like "do you want such and such upgrades? that will be $$$" "tub or shower in master bath?" All I could do electrically was add pre-wires to as many spots as I could. But what do you expect for a $136,000 home.

I'm not sure whats on the circuit but in the garage there are 4 outlets including the ceiling outlet for the door opener, and one screw in CFL.

 

[Gary S]

Two 32 watt T8 tubes are 64 watts. Add a couple of watts for the ballast, and to make it simple we can say 70 watts. Now, since Watts=volts x amps, 70 watts would be about 0.6amps per fixture. 10 of these fixtures would be 6 amps, and 20 of them would be 12 amps. 12 amps would be well within the acceptable load on a 20 amp circuit. If you have a 15 amp circuit, even 15 fixtures would be OK.
So, do your homework. What is the current rating of your circuit? Is there anything else on it besides these lights?
We can guess, but only you or your electrician can do the work.

 

[FluxCore]

Well.....first figure out what all is already on the lighting circuit....flip the breaker off that contols the light, then test all outlets and other ceiling loads (like the one for garage door).

Plus, drop screw base from utility box a little and see it it's wired with 14 or 12 AWG...pull cover on breaker panel and see if the ceiling light breaker is tapped with 14 or 12AWG.

You may discover the WHOLE garage is supplied off one breaker and it is wired 12AWG from the panel to all wall outlets, but the ceiling switch leg from a nearby outlet to all ceiling loads is only 14awg. ...with that in mind, also pull cover from unused door opener ceiling box and check wire gauge and if too is controlled by ceiling light breaker.

So first remove all outlet covers and panel cover, then flip off breakers until ceiling light goes out...from there, meter each outlet and unused box to see which is fed by ceiling light breaker, then examine wire gauge to each....With that info in hand you can determine hows it's mapped out and where to start with upgrades.

 

[eljefino]

There seem to be a lot of build threads where they put a single bulb in a garage to pass a building inspection and get a certificate of occupancy: from there on the homeowner is often free to go nuts himself (within code).

Since this is a new build you should have a ground fault outlet somewhere at the beginning of the chain. Trip it and compare power-less results with those of your breaker. While you're at it write your breaker number on the cover plate (on the back if you're vain).

If dollar tree still has night lights for cheap they'll help you map things out fast.

 

[FluxCore]

Don't trust your life to Dollar Tree Chinese night light bulbs...Get you a VOM-a good one...Anyone willing to embark on a do it yourself home electrical upgrade needs proper tools to do it....Cause after all, you will expand from here, huh?

You are a homeowner now, welcome to the club. You are just one step away from being able to thump your chest soundly each morning when you start to make it truely yours using your own two hands and brains, so invest in proper tools....A year from now your wife will think you can fix/improve anything.....Wait, that might not be a good idea, huh?