Wiring tips please

[JayB]

I am starting to wire up my garage & was told 14/2(code) is all I need for 15 amp breakers. Would going with 12/2 be worth the extra effort?($ too)
What height do you prefer the receptacles at? Kitchen height?
Any input is appreciated. Thanks,Jay.

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, run bigger wire than you need. It will pay off. When we ran power to our garage, we should have oversized, and well, we ddint, and now we have to work around that.

Jim

 

[krooser]

It costs very little to upgrade to 12/2 and a 20 amp circuit...make sure you do at LEAST one 220V circuit of 50/60 amps...you WILL need it later...be sure you do the work up to code...your local building inspector will appreciate it AND if you sell your house, the new buyers inspector will not ***** about the wiring and force you to make a price concession 'cuz the wiring isn't up to code...

 

[JayB]

Thanks guys,12/2 it is.
I just installed a 240 outlet with 6 awg wire & a 70 amp breaker! It wasn't fun feeding the 6 through the joists!!
Now I need to have someone install my new 200 amp panel w/64 slots.(it was 1/2 price!)

 

[byrdman]

Here's the circuits leading to a 200A box in my 980sqft building. Go nuts wiring now, so you won't have to later. Might as well size your 15A breaker up to 20A to take advantage of that 12/2.

 

[sberry]

Yes, 20A circuits are a must in the shop, tools with motors tend to trip 15A breakers easily.

 

[JayB]

Here's a pic of the Cooper 50 amp 230 volt receptacle mounted.I will drywall with 5/8" firecode after the 120 wiring is finished.

 

[bmwpower]

The only thing wired with 14/2 in my garage is the lighting. If you have a couple of lights on a circuit, 14/2 should be fine.

The only downside with working with 12/2 is that it is considerable thicker and harder to work with. Box fill limits can reach maximum quicker, too.

All recepts are 12/2.

 

[TOMWELDS]

To get around the wire fill problem, ask your local supply house for: 1900 bang on box, 2 1/8" deep, romex clamps. Use a 3/4" raised plaster ring on the 5/8" sheetrock.

 

[JayB]

Just read that the 3/4" conduit I used isn't up to code because of the % of wire fill!? I will redo it with 1". Also found out in Canada you must use 20A receptacles with a 20 amp cicruit as well.(with 12/2) I need a code book. This is turning into a hollywood production! I wouln't have it any other way!! Am I the only one? Thanks again for the help.

 

[ranger_dood]

Code? what's that?

As long as it's high and dry, and doesn't catch on fire when you turn it on, it's up to code

At least, in my area of hickville

 

[SteveL]

The others have given you great advice! When I did mine, I went over board and put the ceiling lights in three zones and made sure that one of the three was on a seperate circuit so they all would not go out if there was a problem. Also wired for 220v in three locations and have since used two of them. One for HVAC to run AC and heat and the other for a big compressor. It's nice to know that I still have one 220v circuit for something else down the road.

The 110v outlets are EVERYWHERE!!!! I have them every 4' on the three walls, one just below ceiling on the two side walls for future neon bar lights and six in the ceiling for garage door openers, drop cord reels, etc. Oh yea, and two more for the TV/Stereo set up at a specific height so they would be inside the cabinets, and one on each side wall for the wall hung vacumn. In all I think I have 24-26 duplex outlets and glad that I did it before the drywall went up. It's a major PITA to add after the walls are closed up!

The other thing that I did that you should really consider is running pipe for compressed air lines. I ran 3/4" copper inside the walls and ceiling so the only thing showing is the hose reels on the ceiling and three connectors on the walls.

It's a lot cheaper to do everything up front if you can!! Always plan on needing more than you think, because something will change for sure!

 

[ampegor]

If you are wiring now run 12/2 for all your runs. You can use 15 amp breakers and recepticles (sp) (in canada) and if you find you need more later on its easy to change breakers and recepticles but you won't want to remove the drywall to change the wiring. Also leave room or cable to put a couple of outlets on the front of your workbench. Much better than moving all the stuff at the bcak of the bench to find your outlets there.
Just a few thoughts