What should I do with the extra feed wire???

[KissMyWhiteSS]

CORRECTION: The way the wire was laying on the the exposed 2x4 made it look like a 12/3 wire, however it was a 12/2 coming from the back door of my house to control the outside light. I only have one 12/3 wire feeding the garage. I apologize for the ignorance in my findings. My experience is limited for sure, but I am working to learn as well.

 

[SPDMETL]

I can't answer your question, but please buy one of those electrical testers that lights up and makes noise when youtouch a live circuit.

 

[KissMyWhiteSS]

Haha I have one! I hate electricity...silent killer

 

[Gary S]

My suggestion is that you hire an electrician and do it right before somebody dies or you start a fire.
Your questions tell me that you don't know the code or the right way to do this.

 

[Alchymist]

Sounds like a couple problems here besides your lack of experience.
1) There should not be more than one feed wire from the house to a detached garage.

2) Sounds like the wires described are small gauge- ie #12 or so, far too light to feed a sub panel.

3) Sub panel in a detached building requires a 4 wire feed, with ground rod.

Sounds like you need to get an electrician (or some one knowledgeable), and put in the proper installation.

 

[pattenp]

Do not hook either of the two extra feed wires in to your panel. If you are covered by the NEC only one main power feed is allowed to an outbuilding. You can use one of the small wires back to the house as a switch control for a light back at the garage. The remaining wire that runs to the garage should be killed/removed. It is a safety concern by having more than one power source to the outbuilding because as you said you may think you've turned all the power off and forget that other wire is still hot.

 

[KissMyWhiteSS]

Advice taken.