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Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Question:
Why haven’t electrical codes been upgraded to require garage receptacles be wired with 12-2 wire and 20 Amp breakers? In today’s homes there are a lot of electrical tools, air compressors, freezers and central vacuum system that require 20 Amp breakers. The house I purchased has 15 Amp breakers for garage receptacles and at considerable expense I had to have a 20 Amp receptacle installed for my central vacuum system. Giving that there are so many new electrical devices on the market it looks like it would be a no brainer to require 20 Amp receptacles in the garages.
J.C. Cralley
A
Answer:
Hey J.C. thanks for your question. Someone must have sensed your thoughts because 210.11(C)(4) in the 2017 NEC now requires at least one 20 ampere branch circuit be used to supply receptacle outlets in garages at dwellings? If your central vacuum system needs a 20 ampere receptacle that would still need to be requested. Since you missed an opportunity to submit a public input for this issue try to find something else than needs an improvement and submit a public input for the 2020 NEC by September 7, 2017.