mike1953
- Thread starter mike1953
- Start date
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
That's a pretty wide open question...you're going to need to provide a lot more information about your situation. What state or country do you live in, is the garage attached to the house or detached, just what electrical loads are planned for the garage, just to begin with.
This page has some good reading material as a primer: http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/home...o-dwellings/wiring-a-detached-garage-2002.php It's based on the 2002 edition of the National Electric Code so some parts may be out of date, but it gives you somewhere to start.
This page has some good reading material as a primer: http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/home...o-dwellings/wiring-a-detached-garage-2002.php It's based on the 2002 edition of the National Electric Code so some parts may be out of date, but it gives you somewhere to start.
thewatusi
Well-known member
Call an electrician, write him a check.
Sorry to be blunt, but asking such a wide reaching and broad question about how to do something that could burn down your house and/or kill you leads me to think you're not ready to tackle this project.
Sorry to be blunt, but asking such a wide reaching and broad question about how to do something that could burn down your house and/or kill you leads me to think you're not ready to tackle this project.
Well, for starters you can begin here like so many others have; it’s a great start in the right direction
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
The search function helps. Theres many threads on this exact topic!
Unfortunately, theres just too many variables to be able to give u a step by step with no background info!
Unfortunately, theres just too many variables to be able to give u a step by step with no background info!
barnjunkie
Well-known member
Great question. There should be a book written for doing something like that.
bczygan
Well-known member
Make a list of the electrical loads you will have.
This will require you to do a layout of machines and equipment. Don't forget loads for any electrical heating or air conditioning, exterior power, and every possible present and future source of power usage.
You will need to do a lighting layout. Don't forget exterior lighting.
Then you need to determine the required circuits. Some things will have dedicated circuits and some circuits will be lightly loaded, especially if you want to switch lighting circuits so you can turn the lights on in banks.
From the list of circuits, you will know how to size the subpanel and the breaker in the main panel, that will serve the sub. Make sure you balance the loads in the subpanel and also locate the breaker in the main panel, that serves the subpanel, so the main panel is balanced as well.
Part of the design of the system will include planning the routing of circuits. You will need to determine the best location for the subpanel, based on the main panel location and where all the circuits run.
Then all you have to do is buy all the materials, including ground rods, and install it.
Simple, eh?
Oh, forgot to mention. Don't forget to pull permits and follow all the requirements of the latest NEC and any other rules your local jurisdiction has adopted. Have you ever read a code book? It's great fun! Buy a good supply of headache pills.
And use all the standard techniques that a good electrician will learn and use.
All that being said, it's not rocket science. But you will have to acquire all the needed knowledge and techniques. And not being an electrician, you won't know what you don't know. Your best bet is to read a lot of forums and have an electrician friend to ask questions of. Sometimes an electrician at a big box store can help.
You need to choose the right size and type of feeder wires and install them correctly. Locating and mounting the box properly. Running circuits and installing protective plates. Fire-stopping holes. Sizing circuits. Choosing outlet and switch quality level. Deciding on panel brand and model.
All things to know.
Youtube videos:
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=installing+garage+subpanel&ei=UTF-8&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001
Anyone else have things to add?
This will require you to do a layout of machines and equipment. Don't forget loads for any electrical heating or air conditioning, exterior power, and every possible present and future source of power usage.
You will need to do a lighting layout. Don't forget exterior lighting.
Then you need to determine the required circuits. Some things will have dedicated circuits and some circuits will be lightly loaded, especially if you want to switch lighting circuits so you can turn the lights on in banks.
From the list of circuits, you will know how to size the subpanel and the breaker in the main panel, that will serve the sub. Make sure you balance the loads in the subpanel and also locate the breaker in the main panel, that serves the subpanel, so the main panel is balanced as well.
Part of the design of the system will include planning the routing of circuits. You will need to determine the best location for the subpanel, based on the main panel location and where all the circuits run.
Then all you have to do is buy all the materials, including ground rods, and install it.
Simple, eh?
Oh, forgot to mention. Don't forget to pull permits and follow all the requirements of the latest NEC and any other rules your local jurisdiction has adopted. Have you ever read a code book? It's great fun! Buy a good supply of headache pills.
And use all the standard techniques that a good electrician will learn and use.
All that being said, it's not rocket science. But you will have to acquire all the needed knowledge and techniques. And not being an electrician, you won't know what you don't know. Your best bet is to read a lot of forums and have an electrician friend to ask questions of. Sometimes an electrician at a big box store can help.
You need to choose the right size and type of feeder wires and install them correctly. Locating and mounting the box properly. Running circuits and installing protective plates. Fire-stopping holes. Sizing circuits. Choosing outlet and switch quality level. Deciding on panel brand and model.
All things to know.
Youtube videos:
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=installing+garage+subpanel&ei=UTF-8&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001
Anyone else have things to add?
Last edited:
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Good job! Thats more than i cared or had time to write. Theres really a ton of stuff to know and do!
And yes u can add this.
The neutral bus in the subpanel needs to be isolated from the ground bus and panel enclosure!
bczygan
Well-known member
And the ground bar needs to be bonded to the panel and a properly sized ground wire run from it, outside to ground rods?
bczygan
Well-known member
Some more specific panel installation information for the OP.
Working space:
Decide if you will feed the panel from the top or bottom.
Decide on a good height. Some use 5' AFF to midpoint. As always, check codes.
Decide whether to surface mount or not.
Securely mount to wall. Mounting to a panel board allows other equipment to be mounted and organized conveniently.
Choose the right size knockouts for the wires for the main feed and circuits, and install the right cable clamps or conduit connections.
If using a main lugs panel, connect supply to the lugs. Usually a main breaker panel will be cheaper, so connect power to the main breaker.
Route lines inside the panel in an organized and neat fashion. Install grounds first and then neutrals and then power wires. Allow extra length for the main power feed, to allow for panel to be moved slightly later. Before installing circuits, check wires for nicks and routing and test the panel and feed from the main panel.
BTW, I like to turn off all the power in the house and then pull the meter when I work on electrical, especially in the panel. I use a battery powered work light.
When choosing a sub-panel, if you have a good quality main panel, choose the same brand and model so spare breakers can be the same. I like Square D QO.
There sure are a lot of things to consider...
Someone should put all of it together, but there is a lot.
Working space:
Decide if you will feed the panel from the top or bottom.
Decide on a good height. Some use 5' AFF to midpoint. As always, check codes.
Decide whether to surface mount or not.
Securely mount to wall. Mounting to a panel board allows other equipment to be mounted and organized conveniently.
Choose the right size knockouts for the wires for the main feed and circuits, and install the right cable clamps or conduit connections.
If using a main lugs panel, connect supply to the lugs. Usually a main breaker panel will be cheaper, so connect power to the main breaker.
Route lines inside the panel in an organized and neat fashion. Install grounds first and then neutrals and then power wires. Allow extra length for the main power feed, to allow for panel to be moved slightly later. Before installing circuits, check wires for nicks and routing and test the panel and feed from the main panel.
BTW, I like to turn off all the power in the house and then pull the meter when I work on electrical, especially in the panel. I use a battery powered work light.
When choosing a sub-panel, if you have a good quality main panel, choose the same brand and model so spare breakers can be the same. I like Square D QO.
There sure are a lot of things to consider...
Someone should put all of it together, but there is a lot.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I didnt see this mention in regards to main lug vs. main breaker. If there will be more than 6 breaker handles, then a main breaker is required in the subpanel...
