Recently bought a new home and the garage only has 2 outlets in it. One is completely used up by our sprinkler system and AT&T Fiber modem. The other is half used by a deep freeze. I am also a below average woodwork so I do run power tools (table saw, router, an old furnace blower, etc) all of which run on 120.

So, I am wanting to install a few new outlets around the garage and I think I want to install a new breaker in my box for these outlets. I have done minor wiring in the past (lights, ceiling fans, switches, plugs) but I am relatively amateur, so if I should defer to a pro, definitely let me know.

So here comes the list of questions I was hoping to get help with.

1. Should I tackle this on my own?

2. I have read that I need to use GFCI outlets in the Garage (wet area). Do I need to use these?

3. What size size breaker should I be using. My research says a 20 amp breaker.

4. What wire gauge should I be using? My research says 12 gauge.

5. I am wanting to install 3 new plugs. My thoughts are to run a single wire from the breaker box, into the attic, and use a junction box to feed the other outlet locations.

I know there some things that I am obviously missing so any and all help/advice that you can give me would be much appreciated! Thanks guys!

When you say completely/half used up, do you mean the amperage or the actual space on the receptacle?

Dr. Venkman said:

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When you say completely/half used up, do you mean the amperage or the actual space on the receptacle?

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Sorry, just the outlet spaces!

Gracias AggieTaco!

Can anyone else think of something I may be missing here or just not thinking of?

Aggietaco knows stuff!

hurricanejake02 said:

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If you think you need 3, you probably need 6

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Hmmmmmm

The only other thing I would consider is exploring your existing outlets and lighting in the garage to see if it's easily separated from the current circuit. If so, I would rather everything in the garage be easily isolated on the same circuit.

Aggietaco said:

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The only other thing I would consider is exploring your existing outlets and lighting in the garage to see if it's easily separated from the current circuit. If so, I would rather everything in the garage be easily isolated on the same circuit.

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I would also prefer to have two separate circuits in the garage so you can run multiple high amperage tools at once without having to worry about tripping the breaker. I'd also go 30 amp but be sure you have the correct gauge wire if you do go that route. (I think it's 10 gauge for copper wire)

I have done this in both of the homes that I have owned. The house I live in now, fits your setup to a T. Even worse, both of the outlets in the garage were within 6 feet of one another in the same corner. I added a 20 amp breaker and ran wire from the back corner of the house (where the breaker box was located) up through the two story attic, and strung a circuit of three new GFCI outlets together. Running the wire, tacking it to the rafters, and drywall prep is busy work. The difficult part will be snaking the wire connection down the exterior wall to the breaker box. I have had to cut a small access into the drywall on the back side of the breaker box both times I have done this.

My only advice echos something said above: Add as many outlets as you can safely add.

I have never met someone who wished they had fewer outlets.

I just built an 18x35 shop and I went way overboard.

I do agree with those suggesting DIY, even I have done this DIY and I hate electrical risks.
That said, there's a number of iceberg tips mentioned that make me suggest spending a few extra dollars on a real live electrician, perhaps one found accredited at the BBB. You could get three bids that include corrective work suggested.

You have one existing outlet that serves small amp devices, OK.
The other existing outlet serves a deep freezer, normally we put that on a dedicated outlet, like a refrigerator or microwave. This might be better served by a new outlet and abandon the existing one for tools use.

The other outlets - best determined by your electrician.
Lay out all the tools that need to be served, be sure their amp/watts/etc. are displayed - why guess about it?
The #2 cause of house fires is electrical.
(#1 open flame, #3 chimney fire)
Now ask if there's any more room for a "few extra" outlets, to insure you never have to do this again & best for resale.

I offer several thoughts for your consideration:

1. DIY is fine but be careful.
2. Junction box in attic is fine but remember never "bury" a J-box in a wall or anywhere inaccessible
3. In a garage it needs to be a minimum 20 amp GFCI protected circuit which requires 12 gauge romex
4. There are recent code changes for GFCI outlets, get new ones
5. There is no reason to run 30amp circuits unless you have a specific requirement like some welders or air compressors.
6. Don't put 'standard' 15amp receptacles on a 20amp circuit. Get 20amp outlets.
7. Put power outlets for tools on a separate circuit from lights- if you trip a breaker you don't want to be fumbling in the dark.
8. Think about running 2 new power circuits, or more. Even a 20amp circuit will pushed to the max with a table saw, hand tools, air compressor, fans, etc. If you can, mix outlets from different circuits on a wall.
9. Add more lighting.
10. Good luck.

Once again, thanks for all of the great advice. I feel a little more confident in tackling this one now.

Another quick question, how do I know which kind of breaker to buy? Lowes here has about a million different 20 amp breakers and some are REALLY expensive. Do I need to go with an expensive one?

Has to match your breaker panel- can't buy just any breaker. Look at your breaker box and figure out manufacturer name and model number. Typically a name tag will tell you what breakers are compatible for you panel. If you post the manufacturer and model I'll help you. Or post a couple of pictures, at least 1 of the model number plate.

This may sound stupid, but before you get too far down the road make sure you have space available in the panel.

As far as breaker types, what is the make/model of your electric panel?

UnderoosAg said:

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This may sound stupid, but before you get too far down the road make sure you have space available in the panel.

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Was wondering the same thing. That's was part of Mary reason for pictures.

Alrighty. Here we go. Hopefully this helps a little with the question!

...aaaaand could not get images to work through imgur or anything else. So i have linked them. Sorry for the link or inconvenience. I'll keep trying to load them though.

https://ibb.co/dodu5k
https://ibb.co/dw7Ad5
https://ibb.co/hgRgkk

Thanks again for all yalls help!

That is, in fact, ANSI 31 gray.

Now, how about a picture of the inside?

UnderoosAg said:

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That is, in fact, ANSI 31 gray.

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Awesome! So relieved. Thought I had the wrong color gray!

In theory, the 9 (on my phone, looks like 9) spaces on either side at the top should be open. You'd have to remove the cover to be sure.

** Call me nuts, but we do a fair amount of arc flash work. I'd very, very strongly recommend shutting off the power before removing the cover, especially if you've never done it before. I like Square D gear, but every so often they get a batch of panels where the covers tweek and you have to fidget with them to get the screws to align and put the cover back on. **

You're looking for a Square D 20 amp, single pole QO breaker. Should be $8-10.

Thanks I'll remove the covet and posy another picture

Also looks like you have a breaker that tripped

How old is your home (since original construction)? Looks like a standard 42 slot QO Load Center. And yep It's standard 1600 electrical fray or also known as battleship gray. As Underoos said, this requires a fairly commonly available breaker. To repeat, be careful.

FML. I blame it on sitting on a plane waiting to taxi after a long week. ANSI 31 is a hatch pattern.

UnderoosAg said:

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Also looks like you have a breaker that tripped

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Yeah, #14...Disposal

UnderoosAg said:

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FML. I blame it on sitting on a plane waiting to taxi after a long week. ANSI 31 is a hatch pattern.

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Not Spirit Airlines by chance?

Spirit Airlines?

Naw, I see ANSI 31referenced a lot despite the clarification you noted.

Just a suggestion, but if you run multiple power circuits on the same wall, color code your cover plates to make it easier to remember which outlets belong to which circuits. That will help you keep track of how much you are loading each circuit with. You could label them, but the color coded plate covers makes it more visual and negates the need to get close and read a tiny label.