Wiring Garage Addition

[Blue Seducer]

I am in the process of wiring my garage addition. I have a 100 amp panel in the existing. I was told that I should use 12g solid, which I have used to wire 15 can lights. 10 on one cuircut, and 5 on another with each using a 20 amp breaker. The bulbs are 75 watts. The reason for two cuircuts is to have seperate switches. I discovered that the switches I have are rated 15 amps. Am I ok with these, or should I change them out? Also, what about my outlets? I have not run any of them yet. Keep in mind that this is not a working area, more of a show room. Can I use 12g wire for these with 20 amp breakers, or 14g with 15 amp breaker ?

 

[Torque1st]

It looks like you could use a 15A breaker with the 15A switches and 14AWG wire. Someone else can run the calculations also. I used Incandescent bulbs for the calculation and figure ~10A draw. I assume here that 75W is the max for the fixtures. 12A is the max continuous load on a 15A circuit. Most likely you will be running CF's anyway to be green and save power.

 

[structures282]

These circuits aren't dedicated to the lights only, right? You are probably tapping from outlets which you are installing? I would run 12/2 on a 20 amp breaker. I would say your 15 amp switches are fine. Also you shouldn't space you're outlets more than 12 feet apart. Oh and BTW I'm not an electrician.

 

[nadogail]

Do not connect 14 Guage wire to a 20 amp breaker. If you do not use 14 guage at all, only 12, you will be fine; 14 is cheaper, and you can crowd more conductors into a box, but you will probably not see that problem.

As for the 15 amp switches, they will be ok too. You are not going to be switching the fully loaded circuit, just a few lghts per switch. Ten 100 watt lights is less than 10 amps.

If you care, the rule on outlet spacing is that there shall be no more than 6 feet from any point on the baseboard to an outlet, so 12 feet apart could work. You must make allowances for doorways and halls, etc. as you cant have a cord running acros a traffic path.

I taught this stuff when I was younger.

 

[Blue Seducer]

These circuits aren't dedicated to the lights only, right? You are probably tapping from outlets which you are installing?

My addition is 24' x 36'. I have 3 rows of can lights, (5 each). I want to have a switch for the outer rows and a switch for the center row. At present, I have the outer rows on one dedicated 20 amp cuircut and the center row on one dedicated 20 amp cuircut. I may use cf bulbs. If I do, can I set up the two switches (15 lights) on one cuircut? The wall outlets are spaced 8' apart and will be on another cuircut with two ceiling fans.

 

[walrus]

My addition is 24' x 36'. I have 3 rows of can lights, (5 each). I want to have a switch for the outer rows and a switch for the center row. At present, I have the outer rows on one dedicated 20 amp cuircut and the center row on one dedicated 20 amp cuircut. I may use cf bulbs. If I do, can I set up the two switches (15 lights) on one cuircut? The wall outlets are spaced 8' apart and will be on another cuircut with two ceiling fans.

You need to know what the load is for each light, without that every thing is a guess.

 

[Blue Seducer]

max would be 15 regular bulbs @ 75 watts each....1125 watts. Or if I used cf bulbs @ 23 watts each...345 watts.

 

[Torque1st]

max would be 15 regular bulbs @ 75 watts each....1125 watts. Or if I used cf bulbs @ 23 watts each...345 watts.

The 15A circuit and switches should be OK.
Outlets and lights should always be on separate circuits. You definitely don't want a power tool killing the lights...

 

[Aceman]

You have to figure the max wattage lamp a fixture can take when laying out circuits, it doesn't matter that you might only be installing 23 watt CF's.

If you care, the rule on outlet spacing is that there shall be no more than 6 feet from any point on the baseboard to an outlet, so 12 feet apart could work. You must make allowances for doorways and halls, etc. as you cant have a cord running acros a traffic path.

The NEC has no receptacle spacing requirements for garages.

 

[structures282]

The NEC has no receptacle spacing requirements for garages.

I wondered about this b/c it says 12' max for "living space" right?

 

[Blue Seducer]

You have to figure the max wattage lamp a fixture can take when laying out circuits, it doesn't matter that you might only be installing 23 watt CF's.

The max wattage stated on the can fixture is 75 watts.

 

[nadogail]

wrote...The NEC has no receptacle spacing requirements for garages.

Thank You, I was in error. I feel it is impossible to have too many receptacles in a workshop.

 

[fasteddie24]

You'll probably want to have the first outlet of any circuit be a GFC.