Single Branch Circuit to Residential Storage Building

Status
Not open for further replies.
Dennis Alwon said:
The requirement is not for a multi wire circuit but you cannot have one circuit. One would normally run a multiwire branch circuit because they would satisfy code as a single circuit to a detached garage
Click to expand...

If you only had a single car space, I'm not seeing where another circuit is required.
Actually, since it says "receptacles" and not circuits, even if you had a two or three car garage, I think one circuit would do.
 
Little Bill said:
If you only had a single car space, I'm not seeing where another circuit is required.
Actually, since it says "receptacles" and not circuits, even if you had a two or three car garage, I think one circuit would do.
Click to expand...

I agree. I don't see anything that prohibits a single circuit from supplying a detached garage. Maybe I'm missing something.
 
david luchini said:
I agree. I don't see anything that prohibits a single circuit from supplying a detached garage. Maybe I'm missing something.
Click to expand...
Well, as long as you have either no receptacles or no lighting you are fine with one circuit. But I seem to remember that a garage receptacle circuit (maybe half of an MWBC) cannot supply other loads. I might be wrong about that though.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

PS:

It is apparently OK pre-2017 code, but prohibited there.
 
Last edited:
GoldDigger said:
Well, as long as you have either no receptacles or no lighting you are fine with one circuit. But I seem to remember that a garage receptacle circuit (maybe half of an MWBC) cannot supply other loads. I might be wrong about that though.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Only says the circuit for receptacles (required) can't serve outlets outside the garage.
 
Little Bill said:
Only says the circuit for receptacles (required) can't serve outlets outside the garage.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I did not look it up before posting.
So no lights on the outside of the garage unless they are supplies from an additional circuit from the house, taking advantage of that exception?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
The normal situation IO am used to is a light and receptacle on the outside of a garage. This would require a separate circuit. Also if it is a 2 car garage with separate doors this could be an issue with 210.23(A). Sorry I made some assumptions
 
Not sure if I'm missing the gist of what you are referring to, but the outside receptacle can be on the 20 amp circuit that is required for the interior Recep circuit, 210.11(C)(4)exception.

I agree that by code, only 1recep circuit (20 amp) for garage is required (with a recep for each stall) and that this circuit can't serve any other "outlets" (lights).
I probably wouldn't do just one (at least haven't yet) circuit.
 
So if the detached garage has one circuit for the receptacles how do you supply the lights?
 
david luchini said:
Supply the lights with the same circuit.
Click to expand...

Can't do that anymore. 2017 NEC:

210.11(A)(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.Exception: This circuit shall be permitted to supply readily accessible outdoor receptacle outlets.
Click to expand...
 
210.70(A)(2)(a) requires an exterior lighting outlet, 210.52(G)(1) does not allow the circuit it is associated with to supply any outlets outside the garage, which would include any exterior lighting.

That 13 to 28 watt LED you put on the outside of your detached garage requires a separate branch circuit:blink:

If it is not a "garage" one circuit is fine for everything - assuming you don't have a load calculation that would require more branch circuits.
 
Guess I didn't address the lights, other than saying they can't be on the 20 amp recep ckt.

Yes, they have to be on separate ckt. 210.11(C)(4)

I was focused on the fact that the outside recep can be tapped off the interior recep ckt
 
This garage thing is getting out of hand. I just wrote an exception proposal for 210.23(A)(2) for garage doors and disposals. I bet they won't bite.

It's possible that with 2 garage door opener's you would need another circuit
 
This is nothing more than an 10 x 12 storage shed like you'd buy at lowes that sits in the back yard about 30 feet away from a garage that's attached to the house.

From what I'm gathering, although convienient, I cant feed a receptacle and light fixture in the new shed off of the interior Garage Receptacle Circuit in the house.

Do the receptacle and the light in the shed need to be on 2 different circuits or can they be on the same?

This residential stuff is more entailed than the industrial stuff I'm used too.

JAP>
 
sw_ross said:
Guess I didn't address the lights, other than saying they can't be on the 20 amp recep ckt.

Yes, they have to be on separate ckt. 210.11(C)(4)

I was focused on the fact that the outside recep can be tapped off the interior recep ckt
Click to expand...
(C)(4) is new in 2017.

2014 eliminated tapping anything outside the garage onto circuit that supplies interior receptacles of a garage. I think they think we will eventually have electric vehicle charging that impacts the load on these circuits. So far only significant vehicle chargers typically require an individual circuit anyhow - I think they are pushing 90.1 and the design manual/standard here.

Dennis Alwon said:
This garage thing is getting out of hand. I just wrote an exception proposal for 210.23(A)(2) for garage doors and disposals. I bet they won't bite.

It's possible that with 2 garage door opener's you would need another circuit
Click to expand...
I have put 3 garage door openers on same circuit (usually with no other outlets) but would not be too concerned about too much load on the circuit even if it supplied other outlets in most instances. I put all of the garage receptacles including occasional outdoor receptacle on with two garage door openers many times over the years and never have any call back issues over breakers tripping. As long as breaker holds at starting they don't run long enough to be a problem most of the time. Again, NEC needs to realize it is not a design manual and follow it's own 90.1
 
kwired said:
I have put 3 garage door openers on same circuit (usually with no other outlets) but would not be too concerned about too much load on the circuit even if it supplied other outlets in most instances. I put all of the garage receptacles including occasional outdoor receptacle on with two garage door openers many times over the years and never have any call back issues over breakers tripping. As long as breaker holds at starting they don't run long enough to be a problem most of the time. Again, NEC needs to realize it is not a design manual and follow it's own 90.1
Click to expand...

It is not a matter of what you do or get away with but rather what the code states. If three garage doors were rated 6 amps each then I believe you would not be compliant, another issue needing to be addressed, Will it work forever? Without doubt but still not compliant- IMO, that is ridiculous and we all know there are some inspectors out there who would turn it down
 
Dennis Alwon said:
It is not a matter of what you do or get away with but rather what the code states. If three garage doors were rated 6 amps each then I believe you would not be compliant, another issue needing to be addressed, Will it work forever? Without doubt but still not compliant- IMO, that is ridiculous and we all know there are some inspectors out there who would turn it down
Click to expand...
I realize what code says. At rough in time I almost never know what the rating of a garage door opener will be, or even a dishwasher, disposer, etc. Until I have an inspector look hard at this or code no longer allows them on with other receptacles I will continue to put 2-3 GDO's on with receptacles in most garages. The door only runs for maybe 10 seconds and then shuts off, they won't give as much trouble as some want to think they will.
 
kwired said:
I realize what code says. At rough in time I almost never know what the rating of a garage door opener will be, or even a dishwasher, disposer, etc. Until I have an inspector look hard at this or code no longer allows them on with other receptacles I will continue to put 2-3 GDO's on with receptacles in most garages. The door only runs for maybe 10 seconds and then shuts off, they won't give as much trouble as some want to think they will.
Click to expand...

Dennis Alwon said:
Hence, the reason for my proposal.
Click to expand...

They also (most) come with a DC motor now and use less current than they used to.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top