Garage

The garage is a damp, hard-working space, and that matters for the wiring. Outlets in a garage are normally protected by a GFCI, which senses a small leak of current to ground and shuts the circuit off. The video here explains how a GFCI works, and our GFCI guide shows how to test one.

Use a non-contact voltage tester before opening any box. Adding circuits, a subpanel or a welder outlet is a permit job, and often an electrician’s. Check do you need a permit? first. For workbenches and storage, a cordless drill and a stud finder do most of the work.