Replacing outlets in garage/workshop

Question

So currently my partially finished garage (have the overhead door, one drywalled side and two unfinished cinderblock sides) has one outlet (on the finished side), no outlets on the ceiling and a 20 amp circuit with several GFCI outlets mounted on a work bench that came with the house. I am replacing this workbench soon and plan to essentially relocate the 20 amp circuit.
I am wanting to have my outlets all about working level (so above 18 inches off the ground, maybe somewhere between 36-42"...typical work bench height or so). Is there a commonly used/preferred height for these in most workshops?
As stated above, I have no outlets on my ceiling. I have two (2) light bulb receptacles, one in front and one in back which are turned on/off with a light switch. So currently I have work lights plugged into light bulb/outlet adapters. My garage door opener basically runs from an extension cord to the back of the garage and into one of the outlets on the 20 amp circuit.
It's fine for me to just change out the bulb receptacle and wire it to an outlet correct? I plan to just run conduit between each outlet and want to throw a couple of receptacles on the ceiling as well (one being for the garage door opener). Are there any specific conduit codes that I need to be aware of/might have missed?

Ecnerwal · Answer

If you have receptacles (outlets) overhead, they must be protected by a GFCI, but the GFCI must be accessible without a ladder, so you can't put GFCI's on the ceiling - you need to use a GFCI breaker or the Load side of a GFCI mounted at accessible height (78? inches or less, I think?) to feed them.
Note that you need every garage outlet GFCI protected - each one does not need to be a GFCI.
I firmly suggest putting a surge suppressor on the garage door opener. They are tiny computers, yet poorly hardened against power surges.

Replacing outlets in garage/workshop

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