Newbie: Need help with extra outlet in the garage

[HC130]

I'm trying to add an additional outlet off a current GFCI outlet. The GFCI outlet currently has two (2) pairs of wire entering the electrical box. One set is providing power to the GFCI outlet and another set, which is also connected to the GFCI switch, is providing power to my garage doors. To be more specific, the GFCI outlet has a black & white leads off the screw posts which are pigtailed to the both sets of wires entering the electrical box. My question: Is it possible to add another line off the GFCI outlet to put another outlet 4' away? I'm not sure if it is legal/safe just to connect another line off the spare load/line screws on the back of the outlet. The extra outlet is for a freezer.

[Anonymous]

Hello! will try give you food for thought before getting proper answer from moderater. Total load calculations would come into play with this circuit.No rule on adding additional outlet,as long as GFI protected(GARAGE) but since you have a specific need for this outlet, the load calculation would most likely come into play. I personally would want that freezer on seperate circuit. You may want to be sure only garage on that circuit? may be other thing's on same circuit. GFI not required, if single receptacle behind freezer itself. Also would not want that freezer on GFI protected circuit. You may want to include if attached or unattached garage, as this may come into play when making final recommendation, depending on NEC ruling's on load.(much harder to get a new circuit to unattached garage) All new work must comply with NEC, be it conduit or romex. New GFI outlet feed would come off (marked on GFI receptacles backside) LOAD SIDE and marked white & black, carry along EGC(green or bare) and connect to new receptacle and tag GFI protected! Unprotected outlet(no Gfi protection) would pigtail to white and black in existing receptacle box also needs EGC. You"ll get proper recomendation on this but just alittle food for thought! :roll: :roll: :wink: Try reading some ralated Question' pryor and link's .(help's) I hope to find that ans myself be fore you get your answer!

[Wgoodrich]

wannabee, you did good an I too would need info if this garage is detached or attached garage to give my best answer. You did make a questionable statement that I am not sure is always correct.
Quote "before getting proper answer from moderater". Now that sometimes is right and sometimes not. Being a moderator definitly does not make us always right but we do try hard. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Wannabee pretty well said what I was going to say. I am picking up you have power in and power out but the power out is not feeding through the GFI protective device. As I am picking up your discription the only GFI protection in that circuit right now would be the GFI receptacle itself.

Wannabee mentioned that a freezer should not be reliant of a GFI protectice device. I totally agree with that statement and also agree that if a single receptacle installed behind the freezer it is not required to be GFI protected.

I do have a concern though concerning box fill in that box. You pile in a GFI receptacle plus two 12/2wGrnd in one box you are pushing the box fill limits of that box most likely.

I am wondering if you could pick up power to that freezer power from the box for the Garage door opener receptacle that is under my understanding right now is not GFI protected. This would solve my concern of box fill in that GFI receptacle box.

While I don't see a branch circuit design violation connecting the utilization equipment and the freezer and the convenience outlet and a light or two all on the same branch circuit, I do believe you are pushing the limits that may cause you to trip the breaker now and then if the GDO and the freezer were to kick on at the same time due to a short duration start mode of either motor.

Still would like the questions Wannabee asked to make sure as to what you have attached or detached.

Hope this helps

Wg