So I am going to be adding a few outlets in my garage and therefore I need to run conduit.
I have never done it before but have access to the tools needed.
Anyone have any advice for bending conduit to a outbox and making 90 degree turns?
Thanks
Printable View
So I am going to be adding a few outlets in my garage and therefore I need to run conduit.
I have never done it before but have access to the tools needed.
Anyone have any advice for bending conduit to a outbox and making 90 degree turns?
Thanks
run pvc unless you're really stuck on doing the metal conduit. my 2 cents.
Pay a Sparky to do the bends, you have to calculate set back and offset and unless you do it frequently, it is a pain.
Just read this.... http://service.kleintools.com/instru...enderGuide.pdf
Doesn't seem that difficult. I'll practice a a few pieces of conduit first. I really like the look of metal so I think I'm gonna give it a shot.
Just remember that garage circuits need to be ground fault interrupter circuits, unless they are dedicated circuits for equipment.
Gottcha. That " ground fault interrupter circuits" didnt click. The main one will be a GFI outlet for sure.
On a side note... what gauge wire should I run?
I think a 15amp.
12ga for up to 20a, 14ga for 15a.
Z
If you run 14/3 BX, you will shouldn't have to re run anything if you want to add in a 3 pole switch. BX costs a bit more, but is way easier than bending EMT. With practice, EMT is easy enough to work with, but probably overkill in a residential garage.
I have no idea what local code calls for, so take anything I write with a grain of salt.
You should just use 90 degree pvc elbows unless you have a hot box or blanket to make straight pieces into curves. Don't forget the more angles you put the harder the pull, but in your case with such small wire it won't matter. If you lived closer I could give you a can of glue to put your pvc pipes together.
Romex is legal in a garage.
I ran mine (to code) behind the walls. Which fortunately had not been installed in the shop, yet.
Question for the pros (Sparky) Why GFI's in a shop / place where there is no water ?
There are these groups of guys called code panels. These guys go through the code book and think shit up to make electricity safer for us. Nobody but them understand why they think this crap up. I think it is because a gfci will trip quicker than a breaker in the instance there is damage to a piece of equipment. This rule only applies to 120v circuits not 220v circuits. go figure.
I had to look up the difference between MC and BX. Learn something new everyday [Flower]
I knew BX was a brand name like Romex, but I've just been calling any armor clad/metal clad cable BX, i.e. Xerox vs copier machine. I now know the difference. Thanks.
While we are on the topic, my Dad taught me that if I was taking the trouble to run wire, think Romex here, but I would guess it is just as relevant to MC. I may as well run 12/3 or 14/3 rather than 12/2 or 14/2. The cost difference isn't that great, and it will give you greater flexibility down the road if you make changes in your switches. Your thoughts?
So I can use romex right?
If so I'm going to use that because it seems to be easy. Just run the one wire and then hook up your grounds, positive, and negative wires.
Just looked up that BX wire. Thats some pretty slick shit. I'll see what it costs and consider it.
Like Sparky said, nobody uses BX anymore. If you need armor clad, get MC. It looks similar to BX and has a bare ground and should be easier to find. If it is to code to use Romex, by all means save yourself the hassle and run Romex. If it is 15 amp, run 14/3 and call it good.
Romex is about. 28 per foot. MC cable is about .40 per foot at Home Depot. This is for 12/2 which I would use in my garage with a 20 amp breaker.
Thanks for all the help guys.
So if its a 15 amp breaker use 14/3 and if its a 20 amp breaker use 12/2?
Thanks Sparky.
Go with the 20 amp circuit. Example - if you have a fridge or freezer on 15 amp circuit and try to start small air compressor or power tool while appliance is running you will spend your time trying to reset breaker.