Help with electrical and lighting layout for new 32x30 garage

[mikereno1]

I need some help designing the electrical and lighting for the new garage we are building this spring.

Our contract only has 10 outlets and 5 lights included but i am planning to add some.

I am thinking of putting outlets at these spots, 15 total. lights on outside above garage doors on one switch, lights over car area 2nd switch, and lights over work area in rear on 3rd switch.

im not clear on how many light receptacles I need or can I just use one for each area and link some lights together with conduit?

 

[matt151617]

At the bare minimum there should be an outlet every 6 feet, but I would go with one every 4 feet. A common way to wire them is with 2 separate circuits, so every other outlet is on the same circuit (alternating). If you have any plans for a workbench, maybe put an outlet every 18 inches there, just above the height of the bench. Garage door opener outlet? It may be a good idea to put a 220v circuit in for future use also. Do you plan on ever putting in a big compressor or other high-draw device? Now is the time to get the wiring put in.

What are you doing for lights? Easiest method may be ceiling outlets on a switch. Fluorescents can plug right in, and it would be easy to convert to hardwire.

My garage is 26x26, I put in 4 regular light bulb lights on a switch next to the door for standard lighting. For working on cars, I put 2 switches on the back wall that go to the florescent lights, one switch for each bay. Also a separate switch for 2 florescent lights over my workbench.

 

[Shiftless]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Matt has the right idea here.
Here is how I did it. Half of my 20x20 is storing a car awaiting future restoration. The other half is where I work. In the front of that half I built a 7 foot long workbench with 3 floodlights pointing straight down from the ceiling, all on one switch. Along the side wall are 12 feet of floor to ceiling shelves illuminated by 4 angled floodlights controlled by another switch. General overhead area lighting is provided by a row of 5 Costco LED shop lights mounted 32 inches apart and controlled by a 3rd switch. Each of those plugs into a new receptacle I mounted only a few inches away from the fixture. The extra cord is tucked up on top of the fixture and doesn't show.
I can't think of anything I would have done better.

As far as receptacles go, I like having one right inside the garage door. The ones I have on the wall in back of the bench are handy but cords get in the way. I am thinking about mounting some on the front edge of the bench. Of course provide one in the ceiling for your door opener. Consider having that one switched so you can easily kill the power to your opener when you are away on vacation.
Plan ahead. It is handy to have a receptacle in back of a shelf to plug in chargers or the vintage stereo receiver powering your garage tunes.
I like running conduit instead of wires behind walls. More flexibility for future changes. And personally I like the industrial look it gives to my space. That's just me.

 

[aptdweller]

I would second the installation of 240 v circuits. You never know what interesting tool might follow you home from an auction.

What type of lighting are you using? If we are talking dual four foot T5 fixtures, I don't think five will be enough - I would suggest doubling that number.

 

[CNGsaves]

Don't forget Low Voltage wiring like . . . . . CATV (RG6), Internet/phone (CAT5e), security (CAT5e or other), speaker wiring, etc.

Put outlets so you can have cool LiftMaster garage door openers that attach directly to shaft.

Add outlet in ceiling for hanging electric reel.

Consider Smoke Alarm that is tied in with house alarms.

Put exterior outlet at front of garage for easy access for battery charging when car sits outside the garage, or running a leaf blower, etc. (full 20A amp circuit)

Also consider In-Wall airline system . . . . or at least a line up into attic that comes down where you'll have a hanging air hose reel.

 

[Shiftless]

Don't forget Low Voltage wiring like . . . . . CATV (RG6), Internet/phone (CAT5e), security (CAT5e or other), speaker wiring, etc.

Put outlets so you can have cool LiftMaster garage door openers that attach directly to shaft.

Add outlet in ceiling for hanging electric reel.

Consider Smoke Alarm that is tied in with house alarms.

Put exterior outlet at front of garage for easy access for battery charging when car sits outside the garage, or running a leaf blower, etc. (full 20A amp circuit)

Also consider In-Wall airline system . . . . or at least a line up into attic that comes down where you'll have a hanging air hose reel.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

More excellent suggestions!
And aptdweller is right about needing 10 if you go with twin tube fluorescents. Although there is more wiring to do, having 10 two tube fixtures will give you more even lighting than going with 5 four tube models.
With all the new ideas rolling in, you see why I like surface mounted conduit. If you get an idea or discover a new need, you can add things later on down the road.

 

[mikereno1]

Great suggestions, love this forum.

I'll increase the outlets along the walls to every 5 feet and on 2 circuits. What height is best for outlets along the walls, 4ft? I'll have them put in a 240v circuit for the future. Who knows, maybe I'll get a Tesla down the line, but more likely a large compressor or welder.

The overhead lighting is where I am still deciding on everything. I plan to store a boat on the far side of the double garage part, so not much lighting needed there. Work area will be the middle and then the rear of the garage where the bench, etc will be.

I'd like to do the LED lighting, probably the 4' LED shop lights from Costco. Can you wire a few of those together or do they have to be single?

I was thinking a quad switch as you walk in the man door. 1 for exterior, 1 for boat area, 1 for car/middle area and 1 for rear work bench area. Have a 3 way switch for the rear work area on back wall and then another 3 way for the boat side on that side wall. Just need to determine how many lights i need for each switch/zone...

 

[MrBalll]

Hey, mikereno1, I never looked to far into the Costco lights, since I don't have one near me, but if you have a Home Depot near you they have four foot LED shop lights that you can hook together. They go end to end, 13" apart, or up to 5' apart.
I have a few photos of mine if you would like.

As far as I know I don't think you can directly link the costco lights together. I'm sure you can split the main power line and put them all on one switch, but the Home Depot lights you can link up to nine together on one power source and then you could independently turn them on or off if you wanted as they have the pull cord.

 

[Chevy-SS]

I recently built same size attached garage, with 18' ceiling above 4-post lift area.

My electrician laughed when he saw how many 4-gang outlets I put in over the workbench. I have one about every 3 feet, and I'm glad I did. So my advice is to install way more outlets than you think you'll need.

And while you're at it, make a few of them switched, at odd places in the garage. I have found myself wishing I had a switched outlet in certain spots, just to hook up assorted items (fans, lights, extra-bright lights, etc).

Good luck, You're doing the right thing, getting some valuable feedback from the folks here........

 

[indebt]

I just built a 30x32. I put 4 8' fixtures, 4 bulb T8's 6500 82 CRI and 1 8' fixture, same bulb in the middle above garage door for when it's closed. I added that one last minute and it helps. 13 outlets and one switch for outside front lights, one for light above garage door, one for man door light and one for main bay lights. I'm happy with it.

At night.