How to Wire a Garage

This E How is provides a simple procedure for basic wiring for a garage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Typical electrical wire cable used for some residential wiring jobs where conduit is not required

   I am assuming that there is no drywall up in your garage. You will need to check to see what the codes are telling must be done as there are different methods to use when wiring. Let's assume electrical wire wire is legal.

2. 
    
   spadebit

   Get yourself an electric drill with a 3/4" wood bit installed in the chuck.
   Plan your route for 14/2 with ground wire (electrical wire) and drill some holes aligned in the studs or through the top plates of the wall.

3. 
    
   Typical Outlet Box

   Next mount a switch box or additional outlet boxes for outlets desired. Mount any light boxes needed as well.

4. Next run the wire from box to box and after running to the last outlet box, run the same wire to the main circuit box. Might be in garage or the basement.

5. 
    
   Romex stripping tool

   Using appropriate tools to strip the 14/2 wire and correct connectors to anchor the wire into each box, allow about 6" of excess wire to stick out of each box so you can work with it.

6. Basically hook the black wires to one side of the outlets and the white wire to the other side of the outlet. You can push the wire into the back of the outlet or crimp it around the appropriate screw located on the side.
   The remaining wire in the 14/2 with ground cable is the ground wire and it gets anchored to the only screw left on the outlets.

7. When hooking up the switch to control the light, do the same as with the outlet but don't hook any white wires to the switch. Connect them together and crimp the black ones to the switch.

8. After installing the outlets and switches, most garages should use a GFCI type outlet, and placing the outlet/switch cover over the outlets, then attach the 14/2 wire to the main panel by placing the black wire into a new or empty 15 amp breaker and the white and ground wire where all the other white and black wires are anchored within the box.

9. Install a light bulb and flip the breaker on! Your light should turn on when you flip the switch. Test each outlet and smile!

Tips & Warnings

• Run and hook up wire going towards the main panel NOT FROM IT!
• Not all breakers are alike. You will have to pull an old one to know which one to buy so that it will fit into your main panel the first time.
• All outlets need to be properly grounded.
• The process is basically the same if required to use conduit. Just use the correct connectors for 1/2" conduit (in most cases).

Resources

• http://www.easyhomeimprovementprojects.com
• http://www.creativity-in-glass.com

[truserv]

on 8/28/2008 Thank-you