Any electricians here? Adding lights in garage.

[TR Custom Parts]

I have a 20 amp circuit going into the garage that I put in myself for my 4hp Craftsman compressor since it was tripping the 15amp was already in the garage.

I want to add some fluorescent fixtures since I only had two 100W lightbulbs for my two car garage. (just bought the house in January and finally getting around to the fun projects!)

I already put two fluorescent shoplites where the regular bulbs are and want to add a lot more lights but on a new circuit. Was thinking about adding on to my dedicated circuit for the compressor. Total wattage being added to the circuit would be 880W, I also want to add the powerstrip on my workbench to the same circuit. The compressor is not used very much, just for some deburring of pipe and inflating tires. Is it safe to add the lights to this circuit or am I overloading it?

I can easily add another circuit but feeling kind of lazy. Is it also OK to use 14/2 wire for the lights even though the rest of the circuit is 12/2? Obviously I will be adding a light switch to control all these lights, in fact, will probably be controlling it with two switches as I won't need all the lights on all the time.

 

[John Larkin]

It's more about the amps than the wattage. A dual tube fluorescent fixture will draw about 2 amps. I don't see a problem with using 14/2 either. You could probably pigtail 2 more fixtures on the circuit for the garage lights and be safe. Just use a junction box to make your connections. Add up the amps and you'll know what to do.

 

[Eds87GN]

Hey, Mark.

880 watts is about 7.5 amps. You really shouldn't load a 20a circuit over 16 amps. Check to see how much current your compressor pulls and add it to the 7.5 to see if the circuit will be overloaded. The breaker should trip if it is overloaded. You might have to turn one row of lights off when you run the compressor.
You'll have to be careful of a voltage drop if it's a real long way from the house to the garage.

Of course it would be better to pull a new wire.

And it is ok to use 14/2 wire from the switch to the lights.

Thanks for the great Big Mouth Kit!

Later,
Ed

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Thanks for the replies guys, Someone told me that the whole circuit needs to be wired with 12 since it is a 20 amp circuit. I don't see what the big deal is since the wires in the lights seem even smaller than 14 gauge.?

Don't think I want to add any more lights to the existing 15 amp circuit to the garage as the lights dim a bit when I use my drill! There are other things upstairs on the same circuit. Have a raised ranch and it looks like they have 3 main lighting/receptacle circuits. One that runs down the front of the house, one in the middle and one down the back! Things upstairs and downstairs are on the same circuit.

Will give it a shot adding the lights to the compressor circuit and can always turn off a couple of rows of lights when I need to run it I guess. I can always run a new circuit later when I have more time.

 

[cruzn57]

adding lights

don't want to piss on your parade, but........
check with your local building inspector, he can tell you whats code,and what'll be sure to burn the house down.
a word of caution, if your not to code, your home owners insurance won't always pay off , in case of a big oops!
by all means ,do it your self, but error on the side of safety, please!
good luck
cruzn57

 

[turbojimmy]

You shouldn't load a circuit beyond 80% of its capacity, so on a 20 amp circuit that's 16 amps. Also, the national electrical code (which most municipalities follow) requires 12/2 wire on 20 amp ciruits - even those after a switch (like for your lights). You can't put 14/2 wire on a 20 amp circuit.

I got a book from Home Depot called "Wiring 1-2-3". It was great for helping me wire my basement. I knew NOTHING going into this project. I had to put in a sub-panel with 8 new circuits, 240-volt circuits for heat, GFCI-protected circuits, 18 receptacles, and 20+ lighting fixtures (even a 3-way switch or two). The people at doityourself.com are very helpful, too - pop into the electrical forum.

I passed my rough electrical inspection easily (you should get permits for any electrical work for a variety of reasons - particularly the insurance reason mentioned above). I'm calling for my final this week.

Good luck,
Jim

 

[TR Custom Parts]

OK, looks like I will run another circuit for just the lights. I would think a 15 amp circuit would be fine just for them and will leave the compressor on a circuit by itself.

 

[dsa87gn]

General rules of thumb...

no more than 6 outlet on a 15A breaker.
mount oulets minimum of 12" from floor.
Like turbojimmy says 80% of max is good to follow.
check & double check for solid connections & good grounds.

 

[topfuel]

I got a book from Home Depot called "Wiring 1-2-3". It was great for helping me wire my basement. I knew NOTHING going into this project. I had to put in a sub-panel with 8 new circuits, 240-volt circuits for heat, GFCI-protected circuits, 18 receptacles, and 20+ lighting fixtures (even a 3-way switch or two). The people at doityourself.com are very helpful, too - pop into the electrical forum.

I passed my rough electrical inspection easily (you should get permits for any electrical work for a variety of reasons - particularly the insurance reason mentioned above). I'm calling for my final this week.

Good luck,
Jim [/B][/QUOTE]


Good advice, thanks.
I just bought a new home that needs some electrical updating,
maybe I'll do it myself. I'm a DIY kind of guy and I know with a
little help and insight, I can do it safely and correctly.
I'll go get that book and check out doityourself.com

 

[TR Custom Parts]

All done! Ran a new circuit into the garage and the compressor will stay on it's own 20A circuit. Garage is like daylight now, I am in 7th heaven as now I can actually see what I am doing! Best part is everything worked the way it should, no problems and everything is wired properly AND safely.

On to the next project at the money pit.