Detached Garage; which fittings and boxes ?

[howardrichman]

I'll be wiring a detached residential garage. Steel building; enclosed with Gravel floor. Will this structure be required or be wise to be wired as in a damp location? I'll be wiring it in EMT. Will it need weatherproof boxes and compression fittings, or can I just use steel utility boxes and set screw fittings? I was still planning on using an indoor panel.


Please reply; Thanks...
HR....

 

[ActionDave]

I was still planning on using an indoor panel.


Please reply; Thanks...
HR....

What's different about where the panel is going compared to the rest of the building?

I would use, have used regular steel boxes and set screw fittings in the same scenario.

 

[infinity]

What's different about where the panel is going compared to the rest of the building?

I would use, have used regular steel boxes and set screw fittings in the same scenario.

Me too, there's nothing about the interior of that garage that would require something more robust.

 

[howardrichman]

Me too, there's nothing about the interior of that garage that would require something more robust.

Well, it might be more prone to rusting from condensation esp. being a non heated steel building stone floor.

Thanks for reply, HR...

 

[jumper]

Well, it might be more prone to rusting from condensation esp. being a non heated steel building stone floor.

Thanks for reply, HR...

No more than a damp unfinished resi basement IMO.

Standard equipment would be fine.

 

[drcampbell]

If this is new construction, put a vapor barrier layer under the gravel floor to keep soil moisture out of the space. Unless it's in the desert.

 

[growler]

If this is new construction, put a vapor barrier layer under the gravel floor to keep soil moisture out of the space. Unless it's in the desert.

That vapor barrier is a real good idea except for the fact that most people have the building already finished before they call an electrician to wire the place. If they haven't already built it I would mention the idea.

If it were me I wouldn't worry about it. I have not seen much trouble with buildings like this unless there is salt air.

 

[growler]

No more than a damp unfinished resi basement IMO.

Standard equipment would be fine.

I have seen metal boxes in crawl spaces that have been there for 20-30 years ( some probably a lot longer than that) and no problems. And that's just dirt with no covering, not even gravel.

 

[gadfly56]

I have seen metal boxes in crawl spaces that have been there for 20-30 years ( some probably a lot longer than that) and no problems. And that's just dirt with no covering, not even gravel.

A true crawl space is well-ventilated to the outside air so shouldn't be any more humid than whatever the ambient conditions are. If it's totally closed up it might be problematic.

 

[growler]

A true crawl space is well-ventilated to the outside air so shouldn't be any more humid than whatever the ambient conditions are. If it's totally closed up it might be problematic.

I would think they are going to need some vents in that garage also.

 

[gadfly56]

I would think they are going to need some vents in that garage also.

True. And it's a lot harder to saturate a space that's 10 or 12 feet high versus a space only 2 feet high.