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Posted By: Redsy 210.23(A)(2) and 3 Car Garage - 02/05/06 01:46 PM
I feel I need to run 2 circuits for the GDOs (3 of them) if a receptacle, or lighting outlet is also supplied.
(My own 1/2 HP units draw 5 amps each)

Thoughts?
Posted By: George Little Re: 210.23(A)(2) and 3 Car Garage - 02/05/06 03:59 PM
From a real world prospective, you are not likely to have a problem. It certianly is not a fire or shock hazard but I'm sure if you operated all 3 GDO's at the same time you might trip the breaker. Depending on what else you have on the circuit- air compressor, freezer or other larger appliances, you might trip the breaker when you use only one GDO.

So this guy has a 4 car garage- he/she can afford the additional circuit(s).
Posted By: earlydean Re: 210.23(A)(2) and 3 Car Garage - 02/05/06 04:10 PM
I have a three car garage, and I ran a single circuit to all three openers. I fully expected to have to run a second circuit for the last of the three openers. But, the circuit held when I opened or closed all three at the same time. (added one opener at a time over several years)
I did run a separate circuit for the lights and receptacles.

Are you trying to avoid installing a panel in the garage? The NEC makes it clear that if you run a multiwire branch circuit (sharing the same neutral with two hots) to a detached garage, that it constitutes a single circuit, and a panel (and the ground rods) are not required.
Posted By: dlhoule Re: 210.23(A)(2) and 3 Car Garage - 02/06/06 04:43 PM
I also have 3 openers on same circuit. The only time I have tripped a breaker was when I had an elect heater plugged into same circuit I was using table saw and someone else was using skill saw at same time.

It also had no affect on doors because they are on circuit by themselves.
Posted By: Redsy Re: 210.23(A)(2) and 3 Car Garage - 02/07/06 01:48 AM
Thanks, guys.

It is an attached garage, and my main concern was NEC compliance regarding the aforementioned article.
As far as performance, it is probably a crap shoot. If someone operates all 3, the CB might not handle the starting currents.

BTW,

I ran a 2nd circuit.
Posted By: Dnkldorf Re: 210.23(A)(2) and 3 Car Garage - 02/07/06 02:24 AM
ground to the left or ground to the right on the opener receps?

Dnk..
Posted By: Trick440 Re: 210.23(A)(2) and 3 Car Garage - 02/07/06 04:03 AM
1 dedicated circuit for the 3 openers sounds perfect.
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