What Size Wire for Garage Door Opener? — Complete Wiring Guide
A Garage Door Opener requires 14 AWG copper (existing circuit OK) with a 15A on a 120V (can share circuit) circuit. Here is the complete NEC-compliant wiring guide.
Garage Door Opener Wiring Details
Most garage door openers draw only 4-6 amps at 120V and can be plugged into any standard 15A or 20A outlet. NEC 210.52(G) requires at least one GFCI-protected receptacle in each vehicle bay of a garage. The opener can share this circuit with other garage lighting and outlets as long as the total load does not exceed 80% of the circuit rating (12A on a 15A circuit, 16A on a 20A circuit).
NEC Code Reference
The wiring requirements for a Garage Door Opener are governed by NEC 210.52(G). Always check the appliance nameplate for specific electrical requirements — the manufacturer's specifications take precedence over general guidelines. Your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) may have additional requirements beyond the NEC.
Pro Tip
If your garage has only one circuit serving everything (lights, outlets, opener), and you are adding an EV charger, you may need a sub-panel. The EV charger requires its own dedicated circuit and cannot share with the opener or outlets.
Disclaimer: This guide is for reference only. All electrical work must be performed by or verified by a licensed electrician. Local codes may differ from NEC.