Residential Garage Receptacle Wiring

[trumpetplayertom]

Was wondering if anyone else is having issues with electrical inspectors on garage receptacle wiring per 2020 NEC? I know that there are multiple states that aren’t on the 2020 cycle but Colorado is, and of course where I reside. Inspectors are using Art. 210.11(C)(4) and 210.52(G)(1) to say that the receptacle in the ceiling for the garage door opener can’t be on the garage receptacle circuit. I have always been able to include that receptacle on the garage circuit. I know that the normal receptacles that serve the garage Bay Area cannot be higher than 5’6. There’s always in most cases a receptacle low enough to serve the bay. Is this accurate or a misinterpretation of the NEC/ Inspector power trip? Ultimately Art. 90 prevails in their case, but they should be accurately interpreting the NEC! Anyone with this issue?

 

[tortuga]

I believe they are, We have had threads on this

 

[shortcircuit2]

The inspector is correct.

 

[Fred B]

Nothing in code prevents a second garage circuit, in fact if you want a garage door opener you must have a second circuit as the limitations of 210.11(C)(4) would prohibit garage door opener on the mandatory circuit. Simplest solution though is to run 2 branch circuits on roughin so that you can have the door opener on the "non mandatory" circuit.
Not sure if this might be an option or not, but if you have an outlet located at 5.5ft (allowed per 210.11(C)(4)) and run extension cord with cord protector mold (similar to wire mold) up to and across ceiling to garage door opener, would such installation fly? You have "no other outlets".
Also, while never seeing one, even a hardwired opener would require a seperate circuit as it would be "other outlets" based on definition of an outlet.

 

[McLintock]

I always run the opener(s) on its own circuit. I did service on garage doors and had many calls that their opener did not work, go out there and the GFCI in the garage was tripped.


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[Buck Parrish]

I run the doors on their own 15-amp circuit. Sometimes two doors on a 20-amp circuit.

 

[Little Bill]

I always run the opener(s) on its own circuit. I did service on garage doors and had many calls that their opener did not work, go out there and the GFCI in the garage was tripped.


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The receptacles for the openers still have to be GFCI protected.

 

[McLintock]

The receptacles for the openers still have to be GFCI protected.

I know, but should it be? It’s a debate at we have gone over, just like should one be on a refrigerator or a freezer, it’s hardly never be unplugged


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[don_resqcapt19]

I know, but should it be? It’s a debate at we have gone over, just like should one be on a refrigerator or a freezer, it’s hardly never be unplugged


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The substantiation for requiring the door opener to have GFCI protection resulted for a couple of fatalities where the opener had a fault that energized the mechanical parts, including the track and kids playing touched the track while standing on the floor.

 

[gjhayes66]

I'm sorry if this is out of line, the above topic would make a great tip of the day. Attached is a Mike Holt image from the 2017 NEC. I checkout the tip of the day every day and review this forum everyday. I love it and always learn a lot. I've been in the Residental Modular Home industry since 1985, we build for 14 states in the North-Eastern part of the Country, usually spanning three different code cycles. This forum is extremely helpful. Thank You All.

 

[Ravenvalor]

Nothing in code prevents a second garage circuit, in fact if you want a garage door opener you must have a second circuit as the limitations of 210.11(C)(4) would prohibit garage door opener on the mandatory circuit. Simplest solution though is to run 2 branch circuits on roughin so that you can have the door opener on the "non mandatory" circuit.
Not sure if this might be an option or not, but if you have an outlet located at 5.5ft (allowed per 210.11(C)(4)) and run extension cord with cord protector mold (similar to wire mold) up to and across ceiling to garage door opener, would such installation fly? You have "no other outlets".
Also, while never seeing one, even a hardwired opener would require a seperate circuit as it would be "other outlets" based on definition of an outlet.

Is an extension cord only listed for temporary use?

 

[jimport]

Nothing in code prevents a second garage circuit, in fact if you want a garage door opener you must have a second circuit as the limitations of 210.11(C)(4) would prohibit garage door opener on the mandatory circuit. Simplest solution though is to run 2 branch circuits on roughin so that you can have the door opener on the "non mandatory" circuit.
Not sure if this might be an option or not, but if you have an outlet located at 5.5ft (allowed per 210.11(C)(4)) and run extension cord with cord protector mold (similar to wire mold) up to and across ceiling to garage door opener, would such installation fly? You have "no other outlets".
Also, while never seeing one, even a hardwired opener would require a seperate circuit as it would be "other outlets" based on definition of an outlet.

Looks like Mikes graphic shows it is allowed on a single receptacle circuit.

 

[ramsy]

Looks like Mikes graphic shows it is allowed on a single receptacle circuit.

210.11(C)(4) may have changed for 2020 NEC adopted in Colorado?

 

[kwired]

Not sure if this might be an option or not, but if you have an outlet located at 5.5ft (allowed per 210.11(C)(4)) and run extension cord with cord protector mold (similar to wire mold) up to and across ceiling to garage door opener, would such installation fly? You have "no other outlets".
Also, while never seeing one, even a hardwired opener would require a seperate circuit as it would be "other outlets" based on definition of an outlet.

How you going to get around 400.12(1), possibly (4) and possibly (6)?

Then if you get around that there is also 210.50(C). Not finding similar that would apply to non dwelling, am I missing it or is there no similar requirement for non dwelling applications?

 

[ramsy]

How you going to get around 400.12(1), possibly (4) and possibly (6)?

Then if you get around that there is also 210.50(C). Not finding similar that would apply to non dwelling, am I missing it or is there no similar requirement for non dwelling applications?

210.50(c) Outlets within 6ft of appliance. Nice find.

And, for motor operated appliances (GDO)

430.22(G) requires conductors => #14

 

[infinity]

I agree two circuits are the minimum required but could the NEC give us a break and just put all of the garage requirements in one section.

 

[jimport]

I agree two circuits are the minimum required but could the NEC give us a break and just put all of the garage requirements in one section.

One lighting and one 20 amp receptacle?

 

[infinity]

One lighting and one 20 amp receptacle?

You need a receptacle for each car bay and that receptacle (or receptacles) have to be on their own circuit. That leaves the minimum of one additional circuit for everything else.

 

[suemarkp]

It kind of sucks the way they wrote this. Car bay should be pretty broad and would allow most of the garage to have outlets wherever you want except for that 5.5 foot height limitation. 2020 even has an exception allowing outside receptacles on that circuit. But it seems lights and ceiling receptacles need to be on another circuit. Garage door opener circuits are so intermittent that should not burden a garage circuit at all, but they need to be installed high.

 

[infinity]

It kind of sucks the way they wrote this. Car bay should be pretty broad and would allow most of the garage to have outlets wherever you want except for that 5.5 foot height limitation. 2020 even has an exception allowing outside receptacles on that circuit. But it seems lights and ceiling receptacles need to be on another circuit. Garage door opener circuits are so intermittent that should not burden a garage circuit at all, but they need to be installed high.

The garage requirments seem to change every code cycle. The CMP just can't seem to get this right. Why they allow an outdoor receptacle on the circuit but not a few lights is beyond me.