Some basic electrical questions

[NXGTS]

I'm getting ready to start the rough electric but have some questions before I go out and start buying the materials.

The first question is the outlets. I'll be using 12-2 on a 20A breaker. I know the first outlet must be GFCI on each circuit. Do I have to use 20A outlets on this circuit or can I get by on 15A? I know most of the 20A are the same outlet as the 15A just marked different.

On the lighting circuits. Do they have to be GFCI protected as well? I was planning a 15A breaker and 14-2 wire. Is that enough to meet code?

Last but least I'll be running a 30A 240V outlet for a future lift. I was planning a 30A dryer plug with 10-2 wire. Does this sound right and does this circuit need to be GFCI? Will 30A be enough to run a welder in the future if I decide to add one to the shop? It would be nice to use the same outlet as the lift as the lift will not be in use all that often.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Heath

 

[dittle fart around]

I'm getting ready to start the rough electric but have some questions before I go out and start buying the materials.

The first question is the outlets. I'll be using 12-2 on a 20A breaker. I know the first outlet must be GFCI on each circuit. Do I have to use 20A outlets on this circuit or can I get by on 15A? I know most of the 20A are the same outlet as the 15A just marked different.
Ground fault interrupter outlets are used in a wet environment. Does code in your area require them for each garage circuit?

On the lighting circuits. Do they have to be GFCI protected as well? I was planning a 15A breaker and 14-2 wire. Is that enough to meet code?
You don't need ground fault protection for lighting

Last but least I'll be running a 30A 240V outlet for a future lift. I was planning a 30A dryer plug with 10-2 wire. Does this sound right and does this circuit need to be GFCI? Will 30A be enough to run a welder in the future if I decide to add one to the shop? It would be nice to use the same outlet as the lift as the lift will not be in use all that often.
End you 240 circuit in a disconnect box like this.View media item 11639 You can add the outlet below the disconnect need when you're ready or directly wire into the disconnect box

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Heath

Check local code requirements before spending lots of money on parts.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The first question is the outlets. I'll be using 12-2 on a 20A breaker. I know the first outlet must be GFCI on each circuit. Do I have to use 20A outlets on this circuit or can I get by on 15A? I know most of the 20A are the same outlet as the 15A just marked different.

Ground fault interrupter outlets are used in a wet environment. Does code in your area require them for each garage circuit?

I paid extra for the 20A rated GFCI receptacle when I rewired my son's garage. I also used real 20A receptacles for the rest of the circuit. Don't know if it is "code", but the difference is not that much.

Any area that has concrete floor (including basements, utility/laundry rooms) is considered "wet" in my area.

On the lighting circuits. Do they have to be GFCI protected as well? I was planning a 15A breaker and 14-2 wire. Is that enough to meet code?

You don't need ground fault protection for lighting

The exception is if your lighting circuit has receptacles for fixtures that have pigtails and plugs (like most fluorescent fixtures from big box stores).

 

[Stuart in MN]

Indiana uses the 2008 NEC, with some revisions specific to the state: http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-codes/indiana/ I quickly glanced through the revisions and didn't see anything about GFCI's, which would indicate the rules are per the 2008 NEC. In other words, they are required in a garage.

You'll have to check for sure when you're buying them but I believe most GFCI receptacles are rated for 20 amp feedthrough. In addition, per the NEC you can use 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit, as long as there are more than two of them, and a duplex receptacle counts as two. What this means is you can have a 20 amp circuit from the panel and use a 15 amp GFCI with 15 amp receptacles downstream of it. Note the GFCI has to be in an accessible location; another possibility is to use a GFCI circuit breaker in the panel and then all regular receptacles, but they are a little more expensive.

The main difference between 15 amp and 20 amp receptacles is the 20 amp receptacle has a little T-slot that will accept 20 amp plugs, which are really uncommon - chances are you'll never have a power tool in a home shop that comes with a 20 amp plug.

GFCIs are only required for 15 and 20 amp 120vac receptacle circuits, so you don't need one for the 240 circuit. As far as its ampacity goes, that will depend on what welder you buy in the future so it's hard to say if 30 amps will be enough.