Wiring upgrades

[garagelogician]

My house has a 150 amp service, panel has seven rows open (see attached). I have a few items that I need to run additional circuits for.

1) Sub panel to detached shed for the following items:
- 5,000 watt electric heater
- table saw
- miter saw
- lighting and other misc. tools

2) 240v circuit for future mini-split A/C for attached garage

3) 240v circuit for air compressor in attached garage

4) Additional 20 amp circuit for new garage outlets

Should I have a sub panel installed for the garage too?

Any advice/info on what to ask for from an electrical contractor?

 

[Bretny]

I would do a sub pannel in the garage. Your taking up 5 breaker spots by not doing a sub pannel. Power needs can always change in a garage too. It would be nice to just put another outlet right next to the sub pannel and not have to run new wires through your house.

 

[CrashmanS]

Yes this ∆∆∆. You will never regret this decision. Plus get a panel that is double the spaces you will require now.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

 

[CJ7VFR]

Yes this ∆∆∆. You will never regret this decision. Plus get a panel that is double the spaces you will require now.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Yes, if you can afford to put a sub-panel in your garage, do it. You will never regret having the ability to run a few new circuits in the garage if you need a light over here, or a receptacle over there.

My house also has 150 amp service, and my main load center in the basement is entirely full. Thank god the previous owner had the foresight to put a sub-panel in the garage, or I would not have had any space in the main panel to run the single circuit out to my shed.

I was able to add a the circuit for the shed to the garage sub-panel.

Jim

 

[garagelogician]

Thanks for the input guys.

My garage is fully drywalled and at least partially insulated. There is only one wall outlet in the garage currently, in addition to the one on the ceiling for the garage door opener.

I still need to investigate how much insulation exists in the exterior walls (non-common to the house) and that may determine how I handle adding electrical to the garage.

I would like to avoid surface mounting everything if possible. How feasible is it to run wires behind drywall? Would I be better off cutting out small sections of drywall and then patching it? Of course, if the exterior walls aren't insulated, I may end up tearing out all the drywall anyways.

 

[tailshaft56]

Take a look at Tauton's "Wiring a House" by Rex Caldwell. Tons of information plus he has some tips on updating old work.

Check the electrical section @ Lowes or home depot. Some of the tools I use are the flexible drill bits and Glow Rods.

Fishing wire can sometimes be a challenge but I get that warm fuzzy when I get done and the outlet or light comes alive.

 

[CJ7VFR]

...Fishing wire can sometimes be a challenge but I get that warm fuzzy when I get done and the outlet or light comes alive.

I know just what you mean! My wife laughs at me because when I flip the switch to something new, I always yell out "Let there be light!"

Jim