Sub panel in the garage?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bobrenwick

Member
Is it ok to locate a residential sub-panel in the garage?

This is the only sub-panel of this sfd new home. Typically we do not do this, but I'm not sure why.

Thanks
 
Sub panel in the garage?

donselectric said:
it's ok but figure for future runs cause you wont get back into
the panel without taking out sheet rock ...
Click to expand...

I see many services in garages as well as sub panels,both are permissible. I inspected 2 sub panels in garages yesterday on the same project,neither one had the egc bonded to the panel enclosure.
 
donselectric said:
it's ok but figure for future runs cause you wont get back into
the panel without taking out sheet rock ...
Click to expand...

Good advice for someone who does not do this very often but I have to ask, "How do you know the garage will be rocked"?
 
bobrenwick said:
Is it ok to locate a residential sub-panel in the garage?

This is the only sub-panel of this sfd new home. Typically we do not do this, but I'm not sure why.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Depending on variables not mentioned in the post, I would start at 250-32. :smile:
 
lpelectric said:
Depending on variables not mentioned in the post, I would start at 250-32. :smile:
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks to you all.

I also looked over 240.24 on location of overcurrent protection.

We always make sure the panel is bonded to the egc and that the nuetral is not.

thanks
 
raider1 said:
That would be applicable if the garage in question was a detached garage.

Chris
Click to expand...

Yes, now that I read the post a little more carefully, it does seem to infer that the panelboard is in the SFD. :smile:
 
lpelectric said:
Yes, now that I read the post a little more carefully, it does seem to infer that the panelboard is in the SFD. :smile:
Click to expand...

Your point is a good one though, the OP never clarified that this is, in fact, an attached garage.

Chris
 
Be careful to look into the issue of compromising a fire rated wall assembly. I believe that a wall which is common to the garage and the living space needs a fire rating. The dimension of the panel usually exceeds the allowable opening in this type of wall.

If it must be placed in this type of wall, you will need to create the properly constructed wall opening usually consisting of a framed and "sheetrocked" box around all of the panel sides, including the back of the panel. You than have to enter the panel using an approved method; probably conduit, conduit sleeves, or MC cable all with fire caulking applied.

Hope this helps.
 
Fred Bay said:
Be careful to look into the issue of compromising a fire rated wall assembly. I believe that a wall which is common to the garage and the living space needs a fire rating. The dimension of the panel usually exceeds the allowable opening in this type of wall.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't the sheetrock on the other side give the fire rating necessary???
 
I thought it was the sheetrock on the garage side. Thats where I see the 5/8s, 3/4, what have you.

Wouldn't you want the fire stopped in the garage, not the inside of the wall?
 
There are many fire rated wall assemblies. That is why I said it should be looked into. The assembly I referenced is a common one I see, which is "sheetrock" on each side of a framed wall, with no illegal penetrations. I believe this rating can also be accomplished with (2) layers of "sheetrock" on one side of the wall. This is not my expertise. The architect or fire marshal should be consulted on any particular installation.
 
donselectric said:
i just figured it was attached....sorry
Click to expand...

I got the idea that it was attatched because the OP called it a residential sub panel.

If the garage was not attached to the house, what would the question be?.... can I put a sub panel in a detached garage to serve the garage?

I can't see running branch circuits back to the house from a detached garage

My point in all this ( if I have one besides the one on the top of my head) is : figuring the garage to be attached seems perfectly reasonable to me.:)
 
Last edited:
Fred Bay said:
No, the "sheetrock" needs to be (2) layers. At least for the approved wall assemblies I am familiar with.
Click to expand...

Well, I guess I have been lucky because I know I have installed panels on the walls in the garage common to the living areas.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top