Garage wiring

S

sparkync

Senior Member
Location
North Carolina
I'm wiring a 1200 sq. ft. metal detached garage with 2 car bays. Using the 2017 Code, my understanding is that an outlet for each car bay has to be installed, and has to be AFCI protected, with no other outlets on each circuit. Been a while since I've done a new garage wiring. Am I correct, and are the devices rated GFCI/AFCI? Sorta of hard for me to find the particular section. Having a problem with my eyes this morning
:(
Thanks
 
sparkync said:
I'm wiring a 1200 sq. ft. metal detached garage with 2 car bays. Using the 2017 Code, my understanding is that an outlet for each car bay has to be installed, and has to be AFCI protected, with no other outlets on each circuit. Been a while since I've done a new garage wiring. Am I correct, and are the devices rated GFCI/AFCI? Sorta of hard for me to find the particular section. Having a problem with my eyes this morning
:(
Thanks
Click to expand...
No requirement for AFCI in a garage.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
No requirement for AFCI in a garage.
Click to expand...
Thanks Don. I just done a quick search, and "AI" is the one who specified the AFCI. Done a quick look into the 2017, but couldn't find it either. Didn't know if I missed it or not. Guess the outlet per car bay is correct though. Think I do remember that. Thanks
 
I see in 210.11 C (4), it says:

(4) Garage Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of
branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least one
120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit shall be installed to supply
receptacle outlets in attached garages and in detached garages
with electric power. This circuit shall have no other outlets.

What does "this circuit shall have no other outlets" mean. Does it mean you can't come off the "load" outlet and get other outlets?
That don't make sense to me. Thanks
 
sparkync said:
What does "this circuit shall have no other outlets" mean. Does it mean you can't come off the "load" outlet and get other outlets?
That don't make sense to me. Thanks
Click to expand...
2017 NEC 210.11(C)(4) means that your garage must have at least one 20A 120V circuit that supplies only receptacles outlets in the garage, and under the exception, also outdoor receptacle outlets that are not readily accessible. So that circuit could supply all the receptacle outlets in the garage, but it can't supply any of the lighting, or a receptacle in an adjacent mudroom, or an outdoor receptacle in the eave for holiday decorations. [Assuming that such a receptacle in the eave is not "readily accessible," which would be the usual case.]

Cheers, Wayne
 
If the lights are to be plugged into an outlet overhead, that is required to be GFCI protected, since it is a garage, can they be on the same GFCI outlet required on the wall, and come off load side? Wiring is mc cable in a metal garage, and ceiling is around 15ft. High
I'm sorta confused.
Thanks
 
GFCI protection cannot be 15' off the ground it needs to be readily accessible so it would need to be from a device with floor level access.
 
sparkync said:
If the lights are to be plugged into an outlet overhead, that is required to be GFCI protected, since it is a garage, can they be on the same GFCI outlet required on the wall, and come off load side? Wiring is mc cable in a metal garage, and ceiling is around 15ft. High
I'm sorta confused.
Click to expand...
A lighting receptacle outlet in the garage is still a receptacle outlet, so it can be on the "at least one 20A 120V circuit". That means my earlier post should have said the circuit may not supply "any of the hard-wired lighting". Sorry for the inexactness.

Cheers, Wayne
 
infinity said:
GFCI protection cannot be 15' off the ground it needs to be readily accessible so it would need to be from a device with floor level access.
Click to expand...
The post preceding your response already said that was the idea, as the ceiling receptacle would "come off [the] load side" of the "GFCI outlet required on the wall." Which is allowed under 2017 NEC 210.11(C)(4), although not under the 2020 NEC.

Cheers, Wayne
 
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