I am enclosing a garage and have a 50 amp line ran into it with 12/2. How do I wire the outlets for the garage door opener and other outlets. I have it stubbed in by the side door where the light switch would go.

"You begin by removing the 12/2 cable (max of 20 amps) and replace it with a #6/3 copper cable or a #4/3 aluminum cable."

If your garage is a separate building, you must:

A) have a four wire feed (2) Hots - (1) Neutral and (1) ground. From the Main Service Panel to the subpanel in the garage.

B) - You also must set up a grounding system usually with at least 1 ground rod.

C) - The Neutral and Ground conductors must be isolated from each other in the subpanel. DO NOT INSTALL THE EQUIPMENT BONDING JUMPER!

If the garage is attached to the main building, you do not have to a separate grounding system. You are allowed to use the grounding system established at the main service panel. You still do not install a main bonding jumper as Neutral and Ground must still be isolated at the subpanel.

Also, make sure you talk to your local authority having jurisdiction to get a permit to do the work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by todds

I am enclosing a garage and have a 50 amp line ran into it with 12/2. <snip>

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Uhh.. you have a 20 amp line running to it. If it is a detached structure and/or you want more than one 120 volt circuit you are going to have to completely redo it. DonF has the basics spelled out above, but there is a good bit more you have to know to do it correctly. If you do it wrong (not following code, not getting it inspected) I have descriptive non-printable words for your type that seem to come out every time I have to fix one of these jobs. :eek:

Methinks you scared todds off with a dose of reality.

Thanks, I hired an electrician 3 days ago and had it re-wired.