Running Power from a House to a Shed

How do I go about running power from my house out to a shed? Guide for Sizing Electrical Wire for a Shed, Conduit Size and the Depth of the Trench, Calculate Line Loss and Voltage Drop, Installing a Ground Rod.

Sizing Electrical Wire for a Shed
Electrical Question: How do I go about running power from my house out to a shed?

• I’m installing power to my shed a distance away from my house.
• I am going to install a sub panel from my main 200 amp service of the house out to my shed.
• The problem I am having is the 160 foot  distance and the wire that will be required.
• Will I need, or is it recommended to have a separate ground rod? and what size wire would be recommended.
• I am thinking a 60amp 240volt panel but could probably go as low as a 30amp 240volt basically the electricity will be used for lights and a garage door opener.
• I would just like to make the sub panel bigger than needed for future expansion.
• What size wire is needed for a 30 amp, 40 amp or 60 amp sub panel with a length of 160 feet?
• Do I need a separate ground rod,  or can I install a ground wire with the wiring from the house.

Thanks

This electrical wiring question came from: Steve in Virginia.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Steve.

How to Install Electrical Power for a Shed

Application: Installing Underground Electric Wiring to a Shed.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Equipment: Depends on the method that will be used to install the electric circuit at each specific location.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tool, Voltage Tester, trenching equipment or shovels .
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience and ability to work with tools and the condition of the soil where PVC conduit or direct burial cable will be installed.
Precaution: Identify existing and local circuit or power sources, turn them OFF and Tag it with a note before working with the trenching process.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring for a shed should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Installing Electrical Power from a House Panel to a Shed

The following is an example of how to install an electrical circuit for a shed.

• Size of the Panel
  Determine the amount of power that will be required or the maximum rating of the shed panel. The electrical circuits of the shed panel must be defined which will have impact on the design of the circuit.
• PVC Conduit or Direct Burial
  Decide if the circuit will be installed into a PVC conduit or if Direct Burial cable will be used. If the size of the panel may be increased in the future then a larger conduit should be installed to provide ample capacity for the wire conductors.
• Circuit Wire Type
  Decide which wire type of wire or cable will be used to use for the panel circuit, and if the conductors will be aluminum or copper. Special attention should be given to the specific circuit that will be connected to the shed panel. If there will be any motor loads then it may be best to install copper wire, or increase the size of the panel to allow for the additional current that is required when motors start. Specific information should be identified for all equipment with electric motors.
• Calculate Line Loss and Voltage Drop
  The length of the cable run from the home panel to the shed panel must be factored in to calculate the size of the cable, which will also depend on the type of insulation and if the conductors will be aluminum or copper.
• Conduit Size and the Depth of the Trench
  Once the cable size and type have been determined then the specific conduit size may be determined and the depth of the trench. Here is where soil conditions will be a factor because if the required depth of the trench will not be possible then the conduit type will need to be changed to electrical rigid pipe and direct burial cable will not be allowed. Optional exceptions and allowances are provided in some cases such as this where the main panel circuit is protected by a GFCI circuit breaker.
• Ground Rod
  A ground rod may be driven at the location of the shed, therefore a ground wire will not be required with the panel circuit from the house panel.

Summary:

• The Overall Plan for Wiring a Shed
  
  • Consider what the panel will be used for, and any future plans for more equipment and electrical circuits.
  • As you can see, there are many items that must be identified before the final circuit is designed.
  • Many factors will have an effect on a fully functional and safe circuit for this shed panel.

See more about Electrical Wiring for a Shed Electrical Panel

• Home Electrical Wiring Codes
  

• Electrical Code Articles for Home Wiring

• Electrical Code Directory covering  electrical-grounding, electrical-services, electrical-underground, and electrical-wiring.
• Electrical Codes for Electric Services
• Basic House Wiring Circuits
• 

• House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers

• This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
• Home Electrical Wire
  

• Electrical Wire for the Home

• Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.

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Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Here's How to Do It: Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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