We may think there’s no such thing as too many receptacles in our garage. In fact, we’d be more than happy to install a few more. But, before we do that, we need to ensure that we follow the code of installation rules.
You should install one receptacle outlet in each vehicle bay of your garage and additional circuits for any significant appliances; their ideal height depends on the layout of your garage. Legal requirements are minimal, but most receptacles will be at least 18″ above the garage floor for practical and safety purposes.
Continue reading to explore how high above the garage floor to place your receptacles, the NEC and ADA rules, and the best types and placement of outlets in your garage.
How High Above The Garage Floor Are Outlets Located?
There are those of us who stick to the traditional purpose of using our garage as a place to store a vehicle, and then there are those of us who use a garage as a laundry room, workstation, or secondary living area. How and where you position your outlets ultimately depends on the purpose of your garage space.
On average, most people position wall outlets around 12-18 inches above a finished floor in the majority of their rooms. The garage is essentially a room in your house, so following the same rules as you’ve applied to the rest of your home will be sufficient in most instances.
The height of outlets in your garage all depends on the building code in your area, plus the purpose of your garage. A few recommended measurements are in the table below, but these are purely a guide and not a legal requirement.
| Item | Height of outlet from floor |
| Refrigerator and Freezer | 48 inches |
| Washer and Dryer | 34-36 inches |
| Water Heater | 18 inches |
| Table Press | 15-20 inches |
What Is The NEC Code For Garage Outlet Height?
The NEC does not specify a height for garage outlets, so you can choose to position them at a height that best suits you. The American Disabilities Act states that receptacles should be a minimum of 15 inches from the ground, but this only applies to rooms intended for the use of the occupants.
The main goal of the ADA is to make these receptacles accessible to all people, but you don’t have to follow the outlet height recommended by the ADA. Instead, it’s best to refer to your local code for any legislation around the height of receptacles in your area.
What Is A Safe Height For Receptacles To Be Placed Above A Garage Floor?
While the NEC doesn’t have any specific guidelines for the height of garage receptacles, there are a few suggestions to help with your garage design’s safety elements.
For example, if you have a gas appliance – such as a water heater – in your garage, the ignition source must be at least 18 inches off the ground. And it makes sense to extend this logic to electrical outlets.
Anything that has the potential to create a spark will be safer if it’s away from the garage floor, where heavy fumes from your car have the potential to settle during a gas leak.
What Is The Minimum Distance Between Electrical Outlets?
Section 210.52 of the US National Electrical Codes states that you require an electrical outlet in every room in your house with a dedicated living space.
How Many Outlets Do I Require In A Garage?
Basically, the number of outlets you install in your garage is up to you, depending on the purpose of your space. If you have high-powered appliances such as a workstation or fridge, you’ll want to add a dedicated receptacle to each of these.
The only regulations from the NEC are that you have a minimum of one wall outlet installed in any garage on your property.
Where Should I Place Receptacles In A Garage?
The National Electrical Code does not specify where you need to place the outlets in a garage, and many people opt to put one outlet on each sidewall of the garage. As with all regulations, it’s best to check with local governing bodies before starting any work on your property.
However, the position of your receptacles depends mainly on the purpose of your space. For example, if you have a workstation or appliances in your garage, you will want the outlets to be within range of this equipment.
Which Receptacles Should I Use In My Garage?
There are a few different types of receptacles that you can use in your garage depending on the kind of work you wish to do:
15A 120V Outlets: Suitable for many standard devices such as speakers or television.
20A 125V Outlets: Suitable for larger appliances that consume more power than a 15A 120V can handle. This type of outlet is essential if you want to accommodate a laundry in your garage and have larger appliances such as washing machines and space heaters.
20A 250V Outlets: This outlet is only required for homeowners who wish to operate high-powered tools such as drills, grinders, or plasma cutters.
In addition, the NEC expects you to apply GFCI protection to all of the receptacles in your garage. This fast-acting circuit breaker can shut off power output in as little as 1/40 of a second. This is an essential safety feature in a space such as a garage, where outlets and appliances are susceptible to moisture or damp conditions.
Best Garage Electrical Outlet Placement.
According to section 210.52 of the National Electrical Code, homeowners should install a receptacle every six feet in a habitable room. You may not need this many outlets in your garage, but you can follow these rules if you’re using the space as a laundry, workroom, bedroom, or other living space.
Outlets should be no more than six feet apart in a habitable room because all of your appliances can stay within reach of a receptacle, and you’ll be less likely to use extension cords or alternative power devices.
Final Thoughts.
There’s not a lot of specific legislation around the minimum height of garage receptacles. However, the ADA suggests that you place outlets at a minimum of 15 inches from the floor to make them accessible to everyone.
And, there’s a widely held belief that it’s sensible to keep any garage receptacles at least 18 inches off the floor to avoid any spark from igniting flammable vapors such as gasoline.
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