Wiring a garage

scrayzee21 · 10-13-2008, 03:59 PM

I am going to run power from my house panel to a sub-panel in my garage and was wondering if anyone knew what the code in Wisconsin was for wire size and if you need to run three or four wires to the new box.Also is it nessecary to put a main breaker in the garage panel or just one in the house panel. There is inch and a half underground conduit already running from the house to the garage.Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. JEFF

chris75 · 10-13-2008, 04:13 PM

First, the most important question, is the garage attached or detached?

I'm assuming detached because of the conduit.

scrayzee21 · 10-13-2008, 04:17 PM

detached

chris75 · 10-13-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrayzee21

detached

You will need to run 4 wires to the garage, 2 hots, 1 neutral, 1 equipment grounding conductor. You will need to install a GES (grounding electrode system at the garage, this usually just consist of driving two ground rods, your neutral and grounds shall be seperate at the garage panel, You also need a disconnect at the garage, a main breaker panel it usually the easiest. You need to size the wire according to the load of the gargage. What did you plan on using the garage for?

scrayzee21 · 10-13-2008, 04:33 PM

I will only be using it for small things like drills and stuff. I want to run four lights on the ceiling and probably six outlets on the walls. Also what size wiring is best for lights and receptacles?I also want to hook up two lights in the front outside to work off of a seperate switch then the inside lights. Do I run both the ground and neutral wires from the ground in the house panel to seperate bars in the garage panel?I know I will have to run a ground wire from the ground side of the panel to ground rods I put in the ground.

gp_wa · 10-13-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrayzee21

I will only be using it for small things like drills and stuff.

How many people say that, and then run out a year later and buy a welder or something?

I wouldn't even consider less than 100 amps in a garage. It'll cost a bit more for the panel and feed cable, but there's no other down side.

rgsgww · 10-13-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrayzee21

Do I run both the ground and neutral wires from the ground in the house panel to seperate bars in the garage panel?

Yes, keep them separated.

scrayzee21 · 10-13-2008, 08:15 PM

Then what size wire from the house panel to the garage sub panel and do I put a 100 amp breaker in the house panel and a 100 amp main in the sub panel?

chris75 · 10-13-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrayzee21

Then what size wire from the house panel to the garage sub panel and do I put a 100 amp breaker in the house panel and a 100 amp main in the sub panel?

I personally would run #2 AL, fed by a 90 amp breaker. biggest bang for your buck.

J. V. · 10-14-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris75

I personally would run #2 AL, fed by a 90 amp breaker. biggest bang for your buck.

And you can still use a 100 amp main breaker panel in the garage.

chris75 · 10-14-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. V.

And you can still use a 100 amp main breaker panel in the garage.

Yes, that would count as the required disconnect.