Power to shed question

[swallman]

I need to run power to the shed behind our house. There was originally power there but when we put the new foundation under our house, we cut the line. All I'm looking for is to run some lights and an occasional power tool (nothing like a welder or high powered compressor or anything like that).

The shed is a 2 story wood frame structure, built over 110 years ago (not sure if that makes a difference).

Do I need to install a subpanel in the shed or can I just run a single circuit off my main panel in the house ? The shed is approximately 10' from the house and 50' from the main panel (the main panel is on the opposite end of the house).

Not looking to do this right away, but it would be nice to get some lights back into the shed sometime.

Thanks!

[Tolyn Ironhand]

You can certainly run a single circuit out to your shed but as you may know, when you have electric in a outbuilding the gears start turning and next thing you know you are setting up a "Man room" If it were me, put a sub panel and run some #8 for 240 volts and 40 or 50 amps (depending on wiring method)

If you still just want only some lights and do the KISS method, I suggest running some 12/2 UF and ground fault protect it. Then you only have to bury it 12"

If you don't mind digging, then run some 12/3 UF and place a small two circuit sub panel. One for lights, one for power. You will then need to dig 24"

[ibpooks]

Another option is to install some 3/4" PVC conduit 18" deep. You can just pull one 20A circuit through there right now, but if you ever wanted more power you have the capability of going up to a 60A panel.

[Zorfdt]

I like Ben's option, though I'd probably run 2 conduits, one for power and one for phone/network/intercom.

On the other hand, if you're looking to do it on the cheap, running 12/3 gives you two 20A circuits out there which is sufficient for just about anything you'll want to do (other than electric heat or a welder)

[swallman]

I like Ben's option as well. However, I probably would never plan on putting datacom out there. The shed is in pretty rough shape and you probably wouldn't spend a bunch of time out there. Also, the location of my wireless router and wireless phone base station is only about 10-15' from the shed so I would have data/voice available via wireless if needed.

Regarding the PVC, I wouldn't need to run that from the panel clear to the shed, would I ? Could I just run some 12-2 from the panel to a junction box where I convert to PVC ? Can I run Romex inside the PVC ?

I've done quite a bit of electrical in our house, but mostly with Romex and not really anything with PVC yet.

Thanks!

[kreddick4]

Originally Posted by swallman

Regarding the PVC, I wouldn't need to run that from the panel clear to the shed, would I ? Could I just run some 12-2 from the panel to a junction box where I convert to PVC ? ?!

You can run romex inside the house and then convert to the PVC when passing to the outside. I believe you will need 12-3. One thing about running a line to an out building, you can only run a single circuit. If you think you will need more then one circuit you will need to place a sub-panel in the outbuilding.

Originally Posted by swallman

Can I run Romex inside the PVC ?!

No, you can not run any type of cable inside of PVC or conduit. You must use individual conducters.

[swallman]

Originally Posted by kreddick4

You can run romex inside the house and then convert to the PVC when passing to the outside. I believe you will need 12-3. One thing about running a line to an out building, you can only run a single circuit. If you think you will need more then one circuit you will need to place a sub-panel in the outbuilding.



No, you can not run any type of cable inside of PVC or conduit. You must use individual conducters.

Just curious why that is ? Is it more of a concern with potential heat buildup inside of a closed space ?

[pcboss]

Regular non-metallic cable, commonly called Romex, is prohibited by the code for exterior use. The paper filler will eventually fill with water.

[french277V]

Let me expand PCboss's comment related to this .,

As far the NM romex { NMD75 and NMD90 for Canada peoples } they are not rated for wet location at all so any outdoor useage it will must be wet location rated conductor or cable however one warning here do not run any cable in the conduit espcally with underground that will really arise major issue with the codes.

99% of outdoor conduit buried outdoor useage will get wet one way or other you can not able keep it dry at all.

For the conduit run you must use the indivual conductors like THHN/THWN { most are dual rated so just watch that part } I wrote underline the W part that mean wet location.

Merci,Marc

[Tolyn Ironhand]

Originally Posted by kreddick4

No, you can not run any type of cable inside of PVC or conduit. You must use individual conducters.

To be a little more clear: You may run UF for outside and you may run NM-B in conduit to protect the cable from damage. If you use metal conduit, it is required to be grounded.

[Zorfdt]

Originally Posted by kreddick4

You must use individual conducters.

Again, just to clarify, you are allowed to run UF cable in outside conduits. Most people don't because it's often more expensive than individual conductors and its' a pain in the ... to pull through any bends.

Similarly, you can run NM-B (Romex) in indoor conduit, but again, it's usually only done for short lengths as protection.

[french277V]

Originally Posted by Tolyn Ironhand

To be a little more clear: You may run UF for outside and you may run NM-B in conduit to protect the cable from damage. If you use metal conduit, it is required to be grounded.

Originally Posted by Zorfdt

Again, just to clarify, you are allowed to run UF cable in outside conduits. Most people don't because it's often more expensive than individual conductors and its' a pain in the ... to pull through any bends.

Similarly, you can run NM-B (Romex) in indoor conduit, but again, it's usually only done for short lengths as protection.

Both guys are right and it done more than once and the code do allowed for short section for protection and Myself I done that few time on outdoor location when I bring in the UF cable in the building and used short section for protection { this one of few spot I do that on outdoor location due someone may get careless with weedwacker}

But a nice tip here .,

Get oversized LB fitting it will make much eaiser to bend the UF cable espcally that is true with larger UF feeder cable and also a head up from Pro's do not run more than one UF feeder cable from outdoor feeder LB fitting it don't take much to get it jammed up.

Merci,Marc