Electrical for small shed.

[RalloZ35]

I wanna move my workbench to this shed but wanna get an idea as too work/cost and if its possible. I want 2 or 3 outlets, and 2 light bulbs ( small shed ). But outside of the shed is a fence post with an outdoor receptacle. Could I dig out a small trench and get another outlet that allows me to run power threw the outlet to the shed, or will the outlet have to go and run it directly to shed?

 

[pattenp]

If it's just a single 15A or 20A circuit there is no reason you can't extend it from that outlet to your shed. You can keep the existing outlet, just make sure it's GFCI protected and use the proper UF cable or wire in conduit to the shed. The trench still has to meet depth requirements based on how installed.

 

[RalloZ35]

Okay, Thanks, Ill probably have to put GFCI outlet in, But Ill check codes and see what it will take, thanks!

 

[Gary S]

If you planned ahead and put in conduit to the existing post, your job is easy. Just add more conduit from the post to the shed and pull a new circuit to the shed.

 

[porschedude996TT]

It depends on if you want to stay within your building code. In my city, you can build one building/shed on you property without a permit that measures 10' x 12' but it cannot have a any permanent electrical. You can get around this by having an extension cord connect to that fence post receptacle.

 

[RalloZ35]

I dont know if theres extra conduit, It wass put in before we moved here, and we just put the shed there. But I wont need much power, all I will be powering is 2 lights and 2 outlets that will have a radio plugged in and occasionally use a chop saw and I might get a bench grinder so there wont be much.

 

[VHF]

It should certainly be possible to extend power from your existing outlet. Can you post a picture? How far is from the existing outlet to the shed?

A typical installation would use a 3/4" PVC conduit coming from the existing outlet on the fence into the ground with with a 90 degree sweep ending in the trench. You would run 12/2 UF direct buried to the shed, then up through another conduit feeding up to the shed. Any conduit exposed to physical damage (from vehicles, lawnmowers, etc.) should be schedule 80, otherwise schedule 40 is fine. If the underground feed is GFCI protected at the source, the UF feed only needs to be 12" deep, otherwise 24" deep.

If your ground is rocky it would be better to run conduit the whole way, in which case you can use individual #12 THHN/THWN wires instead of the UF cable.

 

[RalloZ35]

Its only 5-10 feet.. Walked out yesterday and there is an extra wire!

 

[eljefino]

You should buy a lottery ticket!

 

[RalloZ35]

Lol.. then I surely wouldnt have money for it.