Kevin C
Well-known member
Yesterday, the garage passed the cover inspection for the wiring on my 640 sq ft garage / gym / workshop. I got the inspector that is notorious for failing people. The only issue he had, was that I could swapped in duplex breakers after he left and then have more circuits than is allowed without a main disconnect.
Really? I could swap anything out once he left and be out of code. He let my "possible" violation go and commented that I didnt have to do all that work (I could have used Romex and not conduit).
He never asked any other questions about percentage box fill ( I added extension rings on two ceiling lighting boxes to meet code for box capacity), number of conductors per run... Just looked at it and said looks like you have the grounds tied, did you get all of them?
Why conduit? Besides being tough, if you want to upgrade your system its not that hard to pull another set of wires. Since I ran 3/4" in two loops, I should be able to easily expand. Also conduit has very low EMI, like 97% lower than Romex.
Since I like to tinker with electronics I'm kind of curious to see if I get any less 60 cycle noise when testing.
It did take a while but I think it was worth it. In the end I used about 260 feet of conduit and about 1200 feet 12 gauge wire. I have 15 outlets located in the work area (one 220V), 3 outside, six ceiling mounted for lighting and door openers and three in the attic.
I also mounted motion lights front and back, flood lights for the garden area and an entrance light for the patio.
One thing the inspector asked was what size breaker I had to power the panel in the garage. He looked at the wire gauge and asked if it was a 60 amp.
I said no, I used a 50 amp breaker. I'm surprised, because I thought that 6 gauge would be limited to 55 amps at 60°C, but he seemed to imply I could have used a 60 amp breaker. Is there some rule in the NEC that I missed?
Very glad that's done!
What I did learn is that it takes a lot longer to put in conduit. I have done small projects doing conduit but never a complete new building. The materials cost was not a big deal, but I'm sure glad I didnt have to pay for labor.
Now to pass the plumbing inspection.
Kevin
Really? I could swap anything out once he left and be out of code. He let my "possible" violation go and commented that I didnt have to do all that work (I could have used Romex and not conduit).
He never asked any other questions about percentage box fill ( I added extension rings on two ceiling lighting boxes to meet code for box capacity), number of conductors per run... Just looked at it and said looks like you have the grounds tied, did you get all of them?
Why conduit? Besides being tough, if you want to upgrade your system its not that hard to pull another set of wires. Since I ran 3/4" in two loops, I should be able to easily expand. Also conduit has very low EMI, like 97% lower than Romex.
Since I like to tinker with electronics I'm kind of curious to see if I get any less 60 cycle noise when testing.
It did take a while but I think it was worth it. In the end I used about 260 feet of conduit and about 1200 feet 12 gauge wire. I have 15 outlets located in the work area (one 220V), 3 outside, six ceiling mounted for lighting and door openers and three in the attic.
I also mounted motion lights front and back, flood lights for the garden area and an entrance light for the patio.
One thing the inspector asked was what size breaker I had to power the panel in the garage. He looked at the wire gauge and asked if it was a 60 amp.
I said no, I used a 50 amp breaker. I'm surprised, because I thought that 6 gauge would be limited to 55 amps at 60°C, but he seemed to imply I could have used a 60 amp breaker. Is there some rule in the NEC that I missed?
Very glad that's done!
What I did learn is that it takes a lot longer to put in conduit. I have done small projects doing conduit but never a complete new building. The materials cost was not a big deal, but I'm sure glad I didnt have to pay for labor.
Now to pass the plumbing inspection.
Kevin
