Overview

Some equipment, such as garage door openers and central vacuum units, are limited to 15-amp branch circuits. Prior editions of the code have required “at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit” to supply the garage. This has opened up an ambiguous situation: if the aforementioned garage door opener/central vacuum were limited to 15-amperes, how do we install it in a garage that requires only 20-ampere circuits? 210.11(C)(4) has been revised to clarify that while garages are required to have at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit, additional 120-volt 15-ampere branch circuits are permitted to serve in the same area.

Applying the 2023 Code

Garages are used not only for storage, but can be used for household and automotive maintenance. Larger loads such as tools and deep freezers are typically located in garages. To accommodate this, The Code has required at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit in the garage. The 2023 NEC has added language that allows 120-volt, 15-ampere branch circuits to serve the garage as well. The code still requires at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere receptacle per garage bay as required per 210.52(G)(1), but 15-ampere branch circuits are now permitted to serve locations such as work bench receptacles, and general lighting.

Furthermore, a second exception has been added to 210.11(C)(4) that allows the 20-ampere branch circuit supplying a single-bay garage to supply other equipment in accordance with 10.23(A)(1) and (A)(2). This would allow for a central vacuum unit to be fed from the same branch circuit already present in a garage.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Section 210.11(C)(4), at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit was required. No option was given for 15-ampere branch circuits to be present in addition.

(4) Garage Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit shall be installed to supply receptacle outlets required by 210.52(G) (1) for attached garages and in detached garages with electric power.This circuit shall have no other outlets.Exception: This circuit shall be permitted to supply readily accessible outdoor receptacle outlets.

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Section 210.11(C)(4) now reads as follows:

(4) Garage Branch Circuits.

In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit shall be installed to supply receptacle outlets, including those required by 210.52(G)(1) for attached garages and in detached garages with electric power. This circuit shall have no other outlets.

Additional branch circuits rated 15 amperes or greater shall be permitted to serve receptacle outlets other than those required by 210.52(G)(1).

Exception No. 1: This circuit shall be permitted to supply outdoor receptacle outlets.

Exception No. 2: Where the 20-ampere circuit supplies a single vehicle bay garage, outlets for other equipment within the same garage shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance with 210.23(B)(1) and (B)(2).