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Wiring my garage
I am trying to connect power to my detached garage, from my in house breaker box. Any suggestions?
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Decide whether you want a subpanel in the garage, which depends on the distance to the garage.
For working on your load center, level 2 arc flash gear is recommended. |
Figure out how much power you need. Then you will know if you need a sub panel or single circuit. Dig a trench 2 feet deep and bury the proper cable or conduit and wire it.
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Plan ahead, and try to think of any/all possible future uses in the garage. Such things as--will you ever want to hook up an arc welder, or possibly fire up a kiln for fusing glass or pottery? If you only run a single line of 110 v., and later decide you really need 220 v., you will kick yourself for not putting in the heavier line wire the first time around.
I think a separate sub-panel in the garage is a must. Even if you never have the need for future, larger draw circuits, as it will save a trip back into the house to reset any breakers that trip. If it were me, I'd definitely want a dedicated appliance circuit (20-amp, 12-gauge wire) or two, and then at least one lighting and future electric garage door opener circuit (15-amp, 14-gauge wire), in addition to a 50-amp welding circuit. Pulling them all from the new sub-panel, leaving some room to spare for future circuits. And don't forget to apply for a permit, if required by the AHJ in your area. |
The choice seems to be wiring your garage in increments
or going for the full monty: a lump sum paid now vs. small lumps paid over years, as you need them. Note that half the people move in 7 years and almost all move within 14 years so you should judge the likelihood that you'll need the full monty within X years. Costs & likelihoods will give you a mathematical way to make this decision. It's like another opinion but it's based on science so I guess that makes it a matter of fact. |
A wise person once said a man can never have too many outlets in a shop/garage.
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But not all outlets will be used at the same time. The NEC term for this is demand factor or diversity factor.
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If you dig the ditch for underground just put in a bigger conduit so if you or someone else want to up grade, it will be no big deal.
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I would run 10-3+ground to the garage. Cheapest is underground cable. You can put a small sub panel in the garage.
This assumes you will not be doing electric welding in the garage. If you plan on doing welding, then 6-3+ground. Or better yet 100 amp service. Conduit is always a good thing. |
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