rockford33
Well-known member
So, I was over at my mom's the other week, helping her go through some old stuff of my dad's in the carport (which has a partial garage door on front, don't ask....). In any case, there were a couple of things that she mentioned to me while I was there:
1. The security light on the front of the garage wasn't working anymore, and
2. She would like more light in the garage.
Now, for a bit of brief history. Me and/or my dad wired up the security light years ago. We just tapped into the single overhead incandescent light junction box and ran Romex along the rafters to the garage (stapling along the way) and attached the light. Later on, the light bulb was removed and a socket adapter was screwed in and two fluorescent shop lights were plugged in.
Now for my question. I want to fix all this poor workmanship (I admit, I was young and just "did" things) and make it right. Since the carport doesn't have any drywall ceiling, just exposed roof rafters and the roof above, what is the best (and code compliant way) to run new wiring? What I would like to do is replace the light base with a junction box, re-run new wiring and replace the security light on the front of the garage, and install a couple of outlets (on the rafters) to plug the shop lights into (and maybe add two more, so 4 total). Can the wiring all be run through pvc conduit strapped to the rafters? I believe there is only a black and white wire going to the light base (going on memory, but the house is 40 years old), not sure if there is a ground wire or not. The run to the security light also has me a little worried, as it will be going perpendicular to the rafters, so I either strap to the bottom and then turn up at some point to get behind the light, or drill through each rafter (not preferred to do for 40 year old rafters I would think).
Any thoughts, comments, and admonishments for my bad past work is appreciated.
Thanks,
Neil
1. The security light on the front of the garage wasn't working anymore, and
2. She would like more light in the garage.
Now, for a bit of brief history. Me and/or my dad wired up the security light years ago. We just tapped into the single overhead incandescent light junction box and ran Romex along the rafters to the garage (stapling along the way) and attached the light. Later on, the light bulb was removed and a socket adapter was screwed in and two fluorescent shop lights were plugged in.
Now for my question. I want to fix all this poor workmanship (I admit, I was young and just "did" things) and make it right. Since the carport doesn't have any drywall ceiling, just exposed roof rafters and the roof above, what is the best (and code compliant way) to run new wiring? What I would like to do is replace the light base with a junction box, re-run new wiring and replace the security light on the front of the garage, and install a couple of outlets (on the rafters) to plug the shop lights into (and maybe add two more, so 4 total). Can the wiring all be run through pvc conduit strapped to the rafters? I believe there is only a black and white wire going to the light base (going on memory, but the house is 40 years old), not sure if there is a ground wire or not. The run to the security light also has me a little worried, as it will be going perpendicular to the rafters, so I either strap to the bottom and then turn up at some point to get behind the light, or drill through each rafter (not preferred to do for 40 year old rafters I would think).
Any thoughts, comments, and admonishments for my bad past work is appreciated.
Thanks,
Neil