I need to install two recepticles in my garage to power a garage door opener. There is already a line runnig from the breaker box to a light that is contected to a switch.

Can I run the outlet off the light? Can you give me step by step instrcutions how to do this and the materials that are needed?

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Originally Posted by fscdbod

I need to install two recepticles in my garage to power a garage door opener. There is already a line runnig from the breaker box to a light that is contected to a switch.

Can I run the outlet off the light? Can you give me step by step instrcutions how to do this and the materials that are needed?

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This is sort of an easy fix. First up, leave the existing switch and light wiring intact unless moving the light is needed to make way for the opener location. Route another power hookup to a new outlet to where the garage door opener will need a receptacle outlet. The opener will be positioned in the centerline of the 8 or 16 ft wide door. Locate the outlet perpendicular at least 10 ft from the header to the inside rafters. If the garage is sheetrocked, then a cut-in box must be located behind the door opener for wire pulling and plug in access.
Wire the new cable to the existing incoming power wire nut connections (wh-wh, bk-bk) in the same switch box. Leave the switch leg leads hooked up to the original switch and light. Make sure all bare conductors are bonded together in each box and grounded to the box if metal. Match up the wire conductor sizes.. . pretty ez, nm

Ez if your garage isn't sheetrocked. Pia if it is. You want to run the outlets off the light switch though, not the light.

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Originally Posted by KCDave

ez if your garage isn't sheetrocked. pia if it is. You want to run the outlets off the light switch though, not the light.

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KCDave,

Thank you for the thought. Maybe I didn't explain the reply clear enough. Note that I forgot to use the word parallel connection off the power in the switch box for a separate run to the garage door opener receptacle outlet in the ceiling. Am I getting better at explaining or what? Ratings are not sought here, just great help from everyone. Tx, :) nm

There are 2 ways to wire a light and a switch. You can run a feed to the switch and then on to the light. Or you can run the feed to the light, and loop to the switch. For the door to work with the light off, you must tie into the feed wire wherever it is. If you pull the base of the light off, and there is just one cable coming into the box, you will have to go elsewhere for power for the door.

You need an old work box, enough NM-B to reach from the box with the feed wire, a receptacle, a couple of wire nuts, and a cover plate. Not sure if the GFCI in the garage applies to outlets for doors.

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Originally Posted by labman

There are 2 ways to wire a light and a switch. You can run a feed to the switch and then on to the light. Or you can run the feed to the light, and loop to the switch. For the door to work with the light off, you must tie into the feed wire wherever it is. If you pull the base of the light off, and there is just one cable coming into the box, you will have to go elsewhere for power for the door.

You need an old work box, enough NM-B to reach from the box with the feed wire, a receptacle, a couple of wire nuts, and a cover plate. Not sure if the GFCI in the garage applies to outlets for doors.

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Labman,

Thanks for waking me up. The original post mentioned needing two receptacles which would be one duplex receptacle outlet. Right? Maybe fscdbod meant two duplex receptacle outlets. BTW this is open framing so old work boxes (AKA 'cut-ins') are not needed.

fscdbod,
A change of instructions!

1. Install one parallel connection off the power in the switch box for a separate run to a new duplex receptacle outlet to a desired location in the garage wall.
2. From that wall GFCI receptacle box parallel pigtail, run another line to a second duplex receptacle ceiling box for the garage door opener. (This way if the GFCI trips it won't cut the power off the garage opener.)
3. All wiring must match original conductor and breaker size requirements of the BC.
4. Any open wiring below 7 feet from finished floor must be protected by conduit or covered paneling in that particular bay the wiring and boxes are located.

Pretty ez, nm :D