I have a 25X25 attached garage that I'm trying to upgrade. I already had the service panel done (I went from a 100 amp to a 200) and a sub panel was placed in the garage. Originally, I was going to do surface mount (conduit) around the garage. I have since changed my mind and decided to open up the walls. One side of my garage was finished when the home was built and the other wasn't. The previous owner sheet rocked the unfinished side but did not insulate it so I was planning on redoing it and insulating as well. My plan was to run a 110 plug every 4' around the perimeter of the garage. I would also add a 220 plug in 3 or for spots in the garage. I figured each wall of 110's (about 5 plugs) would have their own circuit. Each 22 would have its own circuit (just in case). lastly, I will need to add lighting, probably around 9 fixtures ( 4' fluorescent on 2 different circuits unless you guys think I could do them all on 1 20 amp circuit). does it sound like I'm on the right track for the build? I also wanted to run the wire through conduit in the walls so I would be able to make changes if ever necessary. what type of conduit would be right? how many runs of conduit do you think I would need? I know you guys probably need more info, I just want to try and do it right once instead of having to go back and redo it later on. Thanks, Mike
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Rewiring Garage
- Thread starter mikej805
- Start date
pattenp
Well-known member
My opinion is not to mess with the conduit. Just plan out the best you can and put in as many outlets as you reasonably can. Just do a traditional install using plastic boxes and NM cable. If you only install 9 4' fluorescent fixtures, one 20A circuit should be plenty, just put them on more than one switch.
buzz4041
Well-known member
I would suggest that you figure out what the 220 circuits will be used for so you can size them correctly for what you need. A welding machine could need 50A and a compressor may only need 30A while a plasma cutter only 20A. So this part needs careful planning so you can get correct wire and such. I agree with Pattenp and just wire it up as you plan and you won't need the conduit.
If you're running through the walls, I wouldn't run conduit. Does seem it would be that much easier to me. If I had mine to do all over again I'd run everything through conduit on the outside of the walls. Always easy to expand/modify.
Assuming I wanted to run conduit, which type would be the best? The only tool I have that requires 220 is my plasma cutter. It only requires a 25 amp breaker (30a) I intend on obtaining more tools (table saw, welder, etc) that require a 220 plug. I was going to run wire for a 50 amp just in case. Is this ok?
buzz4041
Well-known member
EMT conduit from a wall box up into the attic with a supported box on the end will do the trick. You could pull wire for all in the 50amp range but that will get expensive real quick and is way overkill. Plus the conduit size can increase with wire size. Go check out some of tool FLA nameplates you would like to have and then do a sketch of locations to suit and size wiring accordingly and breakers to suit that. You have time while your insulating and hanging drywall. OR you could just do the entire build in EMT surface mount. But that requires some skill and not everyone is comfortable with that approach.
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