CoconutPete

I need to rewire mine, it has ancient wires just buried 6" under the ground - no conduit.

I still haven't decided exactly how I'll do mine, but I had everything dug up for other reasons so I buried the conduit so that I'll have flexibility later. It might be a good place to start.

Prettygoodist

Even if you're not doing the sub panel now just spring for the 3-wire cable and cap off the third wire on each end. Then it's there for the future.

Code here called for 2 grounding rods for the sub panel when I wired my garage. At least that's what my electrician told me to do, I'm not actually sure what the code is. I did all the work and then just had him check it out.

And yes, flipping a thrown breaker in the garage sure beats running in the house and down the basement.

Also, if the first outlet in your line is a GFCI then the subsequent outlets, run off the load terminals, don't have to be.

Wuzzat?

I've never thought of this, probably since I don't have a garage. And in a workshop it is likely that lines will be overloaded.

dougelam

I buried 4" PVC from my meter to my barn and pulled 3 single-0 gauge wires thru to a sub panel. My wife never knows when I am using too much power. It cost more to rent a Kubota than the other stuff and it was fun digging also.

Parrothead

As long as you are digging a trench and burying a conduit, throw a second conduit in the ground for low voltage (coaxial cable, data/phone lines, whatever). You may not need them right away, but if you someday decide you would like them, then the pipe is aleady buried and you won't have to dig another trench.

nealtw

I see Victor hasn't come back he problably thinks we're all crazy.

thomask

Victor, Hey Victor, everything OK out there?

Have you done any work on that garage electrical, we are concerned here.

__________________
Wife: "You can buy anything you want when you redo this house."

Husband: "Could I get that in writing, dear?"

Fireguy5674

Another thing to consider when sizing your conductors is the length of your run. For every 100' of wire length you should upgrade to the next wire size. If you have questions look up voltage drop tables to determine what the wire size should be for load and length of run.

Wuzzat?

I've heard 5% max volt drop from main load center to farthest outlet.

Wondering about your 100' rule, as I have been, I did a spreadsheet to test it.

Below, for 11.8A, for copper at 20C, for 200', 400' etc., loop distance (100', 200', etc., one way) for
100' one way, #14 the drop is 6v
200', #12, 7.5v
300', #10, 7.1v
400', #8, 6.0v

so it sort of works. Thanks.