Garage Electrical

[loosegroove]

I am planning on finishing my garage because the builder did not insulate or drywall one side of the garage. Before I finish this wall I figure that I would install two more electrical outlets since the studs are still exposed. I was wondering what everyone thinks I should use for the material. Should I run conduit between the studs (pain in the a## because I think that I would have to notch out a space in each stud) or do I just run Romex? Am I missing another option?

Thanks
Nick

[goceltics34]

Romex is more than adequate for a garage. There is no need to go through the trouble with running conduit. Too much work and absolutely not needed.

[dschribs]

Run your Romex through each stud. Get a 3/4" boring dril bit to make the holes in each stud about half way in and thread the wire through. The "right" - a.ka. easy - way to do it is with with a right angle drill but you can probably use a regular drill if you angle the holes on the studs. Also, as an extra safety precaution, you might want to use metal plates on the front of each stud where the holes are drilled so that you don't run a sheet rock screw into the wire. The plates have four sharp "barbs" on them and you just hammer them onto the face of the stud. That way, if you do run a screw at that exact point in the stud, you hit the plate and not the wire. Also, check your codes if you're going to have it inspected. GFI's are necessary in most garages and they have to be a certain height up from the floor...

[saling4]

dschribs gave great suggestions. I am building my garage now and from what I have read the first outlet in the series needs to be GFI and the rest will be protected by it. I am putting my plugs 3 ft off the ground, kust seems more comvenient and keeps them away from any wetness.

Brian

[the other pc]

Definitely agree that the metal plates and GFCI are mandatory. I'd put them in even if they weren't required by code (which, in my neighborhood, they are).

If you want to step up from Romex you can use armored cable or flex conduit. Both are easy to run through the studs.


PC.

[loosegroove]

Everyone - thanks for your input. I feel much more confident now

[bufferman71]

if youre doing 1 circuit with 2 outlets, all you need is one GFCI. Run from the breaker into the line side of the outlet, then go from the load side of the GFI to the next outlet.