Garage wiring--all 12awg?


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Old 08-20-18, 07:00 AM
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Garage wiring--all 12awg?

I want to add lights & a couple outlets to my attached garage.
My panel doesn't have much space and there's already a single dedicated 12awg romex feeding the garage's only outlet. MY question concerns the LED lighting I plan to add.
Does ALL the wiring have to be 12awg including the overhead boxes for the lights? I understand the reason if that's the way it must be (circuit breaker is sized to protect the wiring--not the devices).
 
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Old 08-20-18, 07:40 AM
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If all the wire is on the 20A breaker then the wire needs to be at least #12.
 
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Old 08-21-18, 07:11 AM
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That makes adding lights (and 3-ways switches with 12-3 wire) way more expensive. Unfortunate--but I understand the reasoning.
 
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Old 08-21-18, 06:01 PM
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Does your garage not have any lighting?
If it does, it would be better to tie into that.

If there are any outlets (on 15A) or light switches on adjacent wall to the garage, consider tapping power from that.
May save some money that way and also it is better to separate the lighting in case you overload garage outlet and trip the breaker. At least you will have some lighting and not in danger of tripping over something in the garage in dark.
 
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Old 08-22-18, 07:13 AM
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When the garage was added on, the 20A outside outlet became the one outlet INside the garage. I'll tap in there for switches & lights. Years down the road if I ever want to make the garage more than storage I can revisit adding circuits.
 
 

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