outlet height

[Kapn]

I'm running a new circuit down one wall and around the back of the garage. I plan to have two duplex outlets along the side wall and then back where a workbench will eventually go, I plan to have 3 outlets (four gang). What's the best height to place these at? 60" would get them out of the way of 4x8 sheets of plywood stacked along the wall and over any future work benches. Is there any reason I would want them lower? I'm just trying to plan for all future possibilities. I do plan on drywalling or pegboarding over it, so it will be semi permanent.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'd put them at 50" or so. That will get them above the height of a 4x8 sheet of something resting against the wall, but they'll be low enough to be usable - most power tools have 6 foot cords, so if you have the plugs at five feet off the floor you don't have a lot of reach left.

 

[CraftsmanOnCall]

Check your local building codes as placement may be dictated in your area.

 

[thdewey]

I put mine at 48.5 ". That way I could use OSB run long ways for wall covering inside .5" off the floor. Easier cuts for electrical boxes too at the edge of the next row.

 

[djjsr]

If you plan on running your sheetrock horizontally, it's easier to mud the joints if there's no electrical boxes in the joints, so don't put them anywhere around 48". If you plan on running the sheetrock vertically, mark the studs where your seams will be and don't mount the boxes on those studs unless it's really necessary. Just makes spackling a little easier.

 

[Kapn]

I like the idea of 48.5". I hadn't started thinking down the line to when I cover the walls.

I'm taking it one project at a time so far. I just insulated the attic space above the garage yesterday and then realized I never ran new wires for the garage door openers so I could remove the old ones the previous owner just stapled to the ceiling and walls. I'm sure I'll keep finding stuff that would have been easier if the it was done in some sort of chronological order.

Thanks for the help.

Any rules on how close to a window an outlet can be placed?

 

[thdewey]

Well you might think about what you want to put on the walls first because the thickness of the material. You will need to know that so that you can space the electrical boxes that far proud of the stud. ie the box needs to be flush with the wall covering for code. This will keep any sparks away from flamable studs, or in mycase the OSB wall covering itself.