I'm getting ready to wire my garage. I notice alot of guys run there outlets high midway up the wall. Is this just a preference as opposed to low outlets? I can understand where your workbench is, but not sure why around the whole perimeter unless they keep alot of stuff on the floor or for future equipment?
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outlet location
- Thread starter tt455
- Start date
onelochevy
Well-known member
Mine are all high except for 1 that is under my bench.
Steevo
Well-known member
If you lean a sheet of plywood up against the wall, you can still use the receptacle.
MrMark
Well-known member
I kept mine low, rejecting the usual advice on here. I don't like the look and it causes issues with cords hanging off a high plug. Over the workbench, yes, on open walls, just like the rest of the house.
I think the main reason for putting them low (in a house) is so they'll be out of sight.
High up on the wall is more visible, doesn't require bending down, and also means the outlets are less likely to catch water spray.
Once you install a few cord reels, you might wish you'd only put outlets in the ceiling. at least 80% of my plugging goes into the ceiling reels, now.
High up on the wall is more visible, doesn't require bending down, and also means the outlets are less likely to catch water spray.
Once you install a few cord reels, you might wish you'd only put outlets in the ceiling. at least 80% of my plugging goes into the ceiling reels, now.
Greatbear
Well-known member
Code in most areas calls for garage receptacles to be 48" or thereabouts from the floor, this is to keep the receptacles above any accumulating flammable vapors. Keeping receptacles high on the walls in a workshop environment is better IMO, no stooping to plug stuff in, cords are kept more off the floor, outlets aren't blocked by items leaning against or stored along walls. If a workbench is placed against the wall, the outlets are in a good position above the bench.
I have overhead cord reels and raceways in my garage and basement workshop to plug stationary machines and cord reels into. This keeps cords completely off the floor and away from getting snagged on workpieces and machines.
I have overhead cord reels and raceways in my garage and basement workshop to plug stationary machines and cord reels into. This keeps cords completely off the floor and away from getting snagged on workpieces and machines.
jkeyser14
Well-known member
I did outlets at both 18" and 48" heights every 4-6 feet. Each outlet only costs you an extra $10 (2' of romex, one box, one outlet, one cover). Put them everywhere and be done with it.
MrMark
Well-known member
Code in most areas calls for garage receptacles to be 48" or thereabouts from the floor, this is to keep the receptacles above any accumulating flammable vapors. Keeping receptacles high on the walls in a workshop environment is better IMO, no stooping to plug stuff in, cords are kept more off the floor, outlets aren't blocked by items leaning against or stored along walls. If a workbench is placed against the wall, the outlets are in a good position above the bench.
I have overhead cord reels and raceways in my garage and basement workshop to plug stationary machines and cord reels into. This keeps cords completely off the floor and away from getting snagged on workpieces and machines.
I was totally unaware of that. I've never heard of outlets causing an explosion issue. Do you have a cite for that code section? We are on 2008 NEC here. I like the bottom of the box at 16" - 18".
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Gooch
Well-known member
I was totally unaware of that. I've never heard of outlets causing an explosion issue. Do you have a cite for that code section? We are on 2008 NEC here. I like the bottom of the box at 16" - 18".
it's in section 210 IIRC(don't have my book at home) It's the same thinking that a gas water heater is supposed to be elevated off the floor, combustible vapor will settle to the floor. You've seen a small spark when you've plugged or unplugged something before?
pattenp
Well-known member
This is a requirement for commercial garages. It’s covered by NEC Art. 501 & 511 and has to do with hazardous locations. In general the area from 18” to the floor surface is considered a Class 1 Division 2 area if gas is handled or stored. So technically no wiring should be installed in this area unless it meets the wiring methods required for being in a Class 1 Division 2 area. What I’m saying is very general in terms of what these sections cover so don’t take anything I say as being verbatim per the code. I can’t find where the same code applies to a residential garage.
it's in section 210 IIRC(don't have my book at home) It's the same thinking that a gas water heater is supposed to be elevated off the floor, combustible vapor will settle to the floor. You've seen a small spark when you've plugged or unplugged something before?
I was totally unaware of that. I've never heard of outlets causing an explosion issue. Do you have a cite for that code section? We are on 2008 NEC here. I like the bottom of the box at 16" - 18".
Falcon67
Well-known member
Convenience. My last shop had many plugs down near the floor, and I put them there. As the place fills with cra...er, "collectables", those become a real PITA to use. Waist high, easy to see and use.
At 18 inches you will be high enough to meet the code.
But 4 foot (4' plus 6” or 8 " with a curb) is much more convenient.
In the house they are low to hide them since you don’t often plug and un-plug stuff.
(The exception may be a vacuum cleaner. But I notice my wife uses the over the counter outlets so she doesn’t have to bend over.)
In a shop environment you are often plugging and unplugging tools, lights etc.
But 4 foot (4' plus 6” or 8 " with a curb) is much more convenient.
In the house they are low to hide them since you don’t often plug and un-plug stuff.
(The exception may be a vacuum cleaner. But I notice my wife uses the over the counter outlets so she doesn’t have to bend over.)
In a shop environment you are often plugging and unplugging tools, lights etc.
MrMark
Well-known member
Again, what code is this? There is no code. This seems to be one of those urban legends.
pattenp
Well-known member
What code section is this? As I stated in post #11, I can only find code that is for commercial uses that restrict outlet location.
At 18 inches you will be high enough to meet the code.
But 4 foot (4' plus 6” or 8 " with a curb) is much more convenient.
In the house they are low to hide them since you don’t often plug and un-plug stuff.
(The exception may be a vacuum cleaner. But I notice my wife uses the over the counter outlets so she doesn’t have to bend over.)
In a shop environment you are often plugging and unplugging tools, lights etc.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
As mentioned the NEC covers the installation height of electrical equipment in commercial garages, but it doesn't appear to mention anything about residential garages. However, the height may be covered elsewhere in state or local building codes.
I think that code or not it's still a good idea to locate receptacles higher up on the wall. Besides the possibility of explosive gases collecting near the floor, there's also the chance of splashing water or other liquids getting into the receptacle, or for that matter just plain old dirt.
I think that code or not it's still a good idea to locate receptacles higher up on the wall. Besides the possibility of explosive gases collecting near the floor, there's also the chance of splashing water or other liquids getting into the receptacle, or for that matter just plain old dirt.
ratdoggy
Well-known member
As mentioned the NEC covers the installation height of electrical equipment in commercial garages, but it doesn't appear to mention anything about residential garages. However, the height may be covered elsewhere in state or local building codes.
I think that code or not it's still a good idea to locate receptacles higher up on the wall. Besides the possibility of explosive gases collecting near the floor, there's also the chance of splashing water or other liquids getting into the receptacle, or for that matter just plain old dirt.
Without measuring them....My outlets in the garage are probably 30" off the floor. The house is new so probably for the reasons SIM mentioned
Without measuring them....My outlets in the garage are probably 30" off the floor. The house is new so probably for the reasons SIM mentioned
As far as I know there is no code here in NY for outlet height. I like the above idea the best.Funny I was just outside and measured 30" off the floor thinking this would be a perfect height and here you just mentioned it. I'll go a little higher over the workbench and I'll have one outlet 7' up on each wall for a possible future clock,sign,and tv. Thanks for all the replies and information.
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I am not a NEC lawyer.
But I do know more than one local guy around here that will not OK an outlet less than 18 inches off the floor.
It may be a local rule, or even just a personal thing.
That is the same distance off the floor they want any gas appliance.
(Interestingly they will pass a shop pit with outlets if there is positive, fan, ventilation.)
But I do know more than one local guy around here that will not OK an outlet less than 18 inches off the floor.
It may be a local rule, or even just a personal thing.
That is the same distance off the floor they want any gas appliance.
(Interestingly they will pass a shop pit with outlets if there is positive, fan, ventilation.)
Thanks for the thread, I am going to figure out where to place receptacles/outlets in my garage soon. Probably going to go 4', and I agree with the cord reel, I just ordered one from Northern.
Are garages the same as house interiors where you can't be more than 6' away from an outlet anywhere on a wall? The idea is that you should never need to use an extension cord. Any any wall more than 2.5' wide IIRC needs a receptable.
Are garages the same as house interiors where you can't be more than 6' away from an outlet anywhere on a wall? The idea is that you should never need to use an extension cord. Any any wall more than 2.5' wide IIRC needs a receptable.
VHF
Well-known member
No, the only NEC requirement is for one GFCI-protected outlet somewhere in the garage.