Retardedly newb questions

[JbTech]

Seriously inept when it comes to electrical.

I've got two light switches and one outlet in my 2 car garage.
I need to add at least 4 outlets for general power.

No welder. No high output tools.

I 'should' be able to tap into the existing outlet to extend the run...
but it's a GFCI and it's got me stumped.

At this point I'm looking at extending off of the light switch for power.

I can either extend off the GFCI or the light switch, right?

I've got enough wire to extend the circuit the necessary length.

I'm concerned with:
a) Extending GFCI outlets. (wiring wise)
b) Concealing 12/2 wire in the walls with 1 x 6's over drywall.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

All outlets in a garage are required to be GFCI protected! Why does the GFCI have u stumped?

U would only be able to extend a circuit off of the light switch if the power originates there meaning theres a hot neutral and ground wire in the box. If the power for the light fixture comes into the fixture first, then extending off of the switch j. box wont work.

Personally, I would extend off of the GFCI. Since the walls are finished u would have to use surface mounted conduit. Or fish wires up the stud bay into the rafters, attic, etc and back down into the desired stud bay. If theres fire blocking in the walls, then that wont work....

 

[sands35]

For downstream outlets from the GFCI - run both the black (hot) and white (neutral) off the "Load" connections on the back of the GFCI.

Yes, all 120 outlets in a garage need to be on a GFCI.

As far as installing the outlets, it depends on if you can get to the attic or not. If you can, then run the NM wire up into the attic, then down the wall to where you want outlets.

If you cannot get to the attic, then you have two basic choices. Either put holes in the drywall to get the wire through the studs, or install a surface mount junction box next to the existing outlet and then do surface mount conduit for the rest of the outlets. IMHO, surface mount is simpler.

But I'd start by buying a wiring book. I like the Black and Decker one. It has all the information you need. If you can't figure it out then, that is God's way of telling you that you need to


hire somebody.

 

[theoldwizard1]

For downstream outlets from the GFCI - run both the black (hot) and white (neutral) off the "Load" connections on the back of the GFCI.

Yes, all 120 outlets in a garage need to be on a GFCI.

As far as installing the outlets, it depends on if you can get to the attic or not. If you can, then run the NM wire up into the attic, then down the wall to where you want outlets.

If you cannot get to the attic, then you have two basic choices. Either put holes in the drywall to get the wire through the studs, or install a surface mount junction box next to the existing outlet and then do surface mount conduit for the rest of the outlets. IMHO, surface mount is simpler.

But I'd start by buying a wiring book. I like the Black and Decker one. It has all the information you need. If you can't figure it out then, that is God's way of telling you that you need to

hire somebody.

Everything he said. plus ...

If the wire going to the switch and outlet is SMALLER THAN 12/2 (with ground) then do NOT use 12/2 ! If the circuit breaker is 15 amp, it is likely 14/2.


They do make surface mount conduit. Not cheap, but it looks good and it is the right way to do what you are trying to do.

How to Install Surface-Mounted Wiring and Conduit