Question concerning garage electrical outlets

[Jerky]

I am a new homeowner with very little knowledge of electrical workings and I am in need of some expertise. My garage has just two electrical outlets, above both of which is displayed a sticker stating "Outlets on this circuit not rated for appliances".

I am wondering what exactly this means; is this common? What exactly constitutes an 'appliance' I do not know, as my shop vac, leaf blower, radio and battery chargers all run fine from them. I would like to put an upright freezer in the garage, is it possible that neither of these outlets will provide sufficient power to run one? Any suggestions on how I might find out?

I do have access to a multimeter if it might be helpful, however I have never used it. Attached is an image of one of the outlets - thank you in advance!

 

[mrb]

never seen that before, the receptacle is probably connected to a circuit with a ton of other stuff on it

how many amps does the freezer draw?

 

[Jerky]

We haven't bought a freezer yet, I wanted to make sure that I could power one before doing so.

I'm looking at just a typically sized freezer, similar to the one linked below. All its specs say are 60Hz, 120V though.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11621501&search=upright+freezer&Mo=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=upright+freezer&Ntt=upright+freezer&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[Junkman]

It might be that since they are in the garage, they need to be GFI circuits, which might trip if you use an appliance on them, such as a freezer. It this were to happen, everything in the freezer could be spoiled as a result.

 

[MalibuLX3]

Probably a disclaimer for liability reasons

 

[mrbreezeet1]

It might be that since they are in the garage, they need to be GFI circuits, which might trip if you use an appliance on them, such as a freezer. It this were to happen, everything in the freezer could be spoiled as a result.

I think that;s what it is.
AAMOF I think you are allowed by code to install a non GFI in a garage if it is to be used for a freezer.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[electrican]

you can do that, it needs to be a single outlet, not a duplex outlet

 

[creativecars]

But, the picture looks like a GFI receptical to me. If its not correctly wired, will it still trip?

 

[mrb]

I think that;s what it is.
AAMOF I think you are allowed by code to install a non GFI in a garage if it is to be used for a freezer.
Thanks,
Tony

not anymore. there are no exceptions for garage receptacles. a properly functioning appliance will not trip a gfci -they only trip when there is leakage which could hurt someone.

 

[Falcon67]

I would find the breaker that controls that outlet (or outlets) and find out how much else was on there. That'll help you figure out how much you can load that plug. If it's a decent quality GFCI, an appliance should not trip it.

 

[Jerky]

Thank you all for the replies. As far as it being a GFCI outlet, if that means that it has buttons on it, one of which is labeled 'test' then yes it is.

When I get home tonight I can post a picture of the breaker panel; I'm not sure how to interpret what is inside it to tell how many other things are on the same circuit.

It is sounding to me like the consensus is that so long as it is GFCI and not too many other things are on the circuit, a properly functioning freezer should not be a problem?

 

[MalibuLX3]

When I get home tonight I can post a picture of the breaker panel; I'm not sure how to interpret what is inside it to tell how many other things are on the same circuit.

I think they are saying that you should go and plug in something like a radio or light into the outlet in question and flip each breaker off one by one till what you have plugged in turns off. Then, with that being the only breaker off, go around the house and see what else is turned off. That way, you can tell if that outlet is tied in with other appliances that draw a lot of power.

 

[Jerky]

That makes sense. I've located the breaker that the outlets are on, and it appears that nothing is on that circuit except for them. The only other appliance that would be drawing any significant power would be the garage door opener, which makes me scratch my head at the warning even more.

I've attached a picture of the breaker panel; the breaker in question is labeled 'Garage GFI'. Out of curiosity, does the '15' on the switch indicate that it is a 15 amp circuit?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Yes, 15 on the breaker denotes the size.

 

[bobemmerich]

Yes. a 15 Amp breaker for an appliance is usually fine, but the reason it states not to put appliances on it IS because it IS a GFCI. It may trip(which may happen when a fridge or freezer compressor kicks on) and cause the appliance to shut down and defrost. I know in my locale the inspector frowns upon using a GFCI for a refridgerator/freezer/furnace circuit because of this.

 

[mrb]

I know in my locale the inspector frowns upon using a GFCI for a refridgerator/freezer/furnace circuit because of this.

is there a local code ammendment that allows a receptacle in the garage for an appliance that is not gfci protected?

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Mrb, is that according to the NEC that no longer allows a non GFI in a garage for a freezer?
I thought it was an exception at one time. Thought It was around 2004 that I had read that.
When did they change the ruling/exception?
Thanks,
Tony
link to freezer Jerky is looking at,
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11621501&search=upright+freeze%20r&Mo=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=m%20ode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogNa%20me:BC&Ne=4000000&D=upright+freezer&Ntt=upright+fre%20ezer&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s%20=1

 

[mrb]

Mrb, is that according to the NEC that no longer allows a non GFI in a garage for a freezer?
I thought it was an exception at one time. Thought It was around 2004 that I had read that.
When did they change the ruling/exception?
Thanks,
Tony
link to freezer Jerky is looking at,
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11621501&search=upright+freeze%20r&Mo=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=m%20ode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogNa%20me:BC&Ne=4000000&D=upright+freezer&Ntt=upright+fre%20ezer&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s%20=1

there were exceptions for a single receptacle for a fridge or freezer, and for the gdo receptacle on the ceiling. they are now gone. its in 2008, i dont know about 2005. if its a 120v receptacle in the garage, has to be gfci protected -no exceptions

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Thanks, did not know they had changed it.
Still waiting to hear if there is a local code amendment that allows the non GFI.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[bobemmerich]

Mr.B, Any "outbuilding" that has a receptacle it has to be either a GFCI or AFCI protected at the panel (at least that's what I was told when doing my garage).

 

[nateshirk]

Someone on here told me that a freezer on a 15 amp outlet wasn't the best idea. Not impossible, but a 20 amp would have more security from tripping and thawing out my freezer.