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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.

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CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition, all answers are based on the latest edition of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®.

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