Wiring an attached garage on LI, NY

[levittownnick]

My daughter is in the process of having an attached garage built. The common wall requires a fire rated 5/8" sheetrock. The circuit breaker panel is in the living space side of this wall so the wall will have wiring through it. I would like to put a small sub-pannel in the garage on this wall about opposite the main panel.

The big questions.
1) What is the minimum capacity sub-panel that can be used?
2) If the wall is pierced with conduit, can THHN be run through this conduit?
3) Is a fire rated sub-panel required? Is there such a thing as a fire rated panel?
4) What else do I have to know? (All outlets will be GFCI protected.)
5) Must I use AFCIs?

 

[arks]

Re: Wiring an attached garage on LI, NY

OK, I'll try. I'm NOT an electrical contractor, but a commercial general contractor with some electrical knowledge. And you know what they say about "some" knowledge.....

1) What is the minimum capacity sub-panel that can be used?
-Depends on how much load you'll have. If you're just doing lights and some conveinience recepticles a 30A would suffice, but will not allow for any future circuits. It's best to oversize a little- the cost is minimal.

2) If the wall is pierced with conduit, can THHN be run through this conduit?
-Yes, that's what THHN is designed for. Do not overload the wire capacity inside the conduit. Romex should never be run inside a conduit.

3) Is a fire rated sub-panel required? Is there such a thing as a fire rated panel?
-No such thing that I'm aware of.

4) What else do I have to know? (All outlets will be GFCI protected.)
-GFCI recepticles are not required everywhere, just within 10' of a water supply. GFCI's can be daisy-chained with a regular recepticle if desired (to protect both).
-In your main (house) panel, add a breaker of sufficient capacity to feed the sub-panel, and make sure the wiring to it is adequate.
-If you're not getting a permit (and YES you should), get a qualified electrician to do the work, or at least thoroughly check your work before energizing.

5) Must I use AFCIs?
-Depends on your local building code. Not a bad idea but they are expensive.

Good luck but be careful with electical work.

 

[levittownnick]

Re: Wiring an attached garage on LI, NY

Thanks arks. Sounds like good advice. I have lots of electrical experience, but not with house wiring (I am very familia with GFCIs, AFCIs, some dimmers and a whole bunch of other stuff, just not building codes.) I think you gave me enough information to go on. This forum is great for this type info.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[arks]

Re: Wiring an attached garage on LI, NY

Your quite welcome Nick. Glad I could help.

Hey, I sold my prevoius boat a few years back to a guy near you (Hempstead maybe...). If you ever see a blue/ white Wellcraft 23 Nova XL with the name "Beats Workin' " on the transom, say "HI" to Freddy for me! He's a nice guy- and got himself a great boat.