Electrical to Shed

[Swoop]

Hello all, I’m looking to run electricity to my shed.
Here's my plan....
- Adding a 20 amp single pole breaker to my main panel in the garage
- Running 10 gauge thwn wire (1 hot, 1 neutral & 1 ground) in 3/4" pvc conduit to the shed (18" below ground)
- I was then going to connect it to a gfci outlet on the outside of the shed before going into the shed with an LB fitting and then to a metal box with a switch to turn the power on/off.
Questions:
1) Do I need a gfci outlet at the shed?
2) Do I need a switch in the shed to shut off power to the shed?
Thanks,
Marc

 

[exranger06]

Yes, you should have a switch in/on the shed that cuts off all power to the shed. This switch should come BEFORE the outlet, not after.
I don't think there's anything in the code that says you have to install any receptacles whatsoever in the shed (if you wanted to install only some hardwired lights and nothing else, you could). But if you do install any receptacles, then they all have to be GFCI protected.

 

[Sumboodie]

Yes, you should have a switch in/on the shed that cuts off all power to the shed. This switch should come BEFORE the outlet, not after.
I don't think there's anything in the code that says you have to install any receptacles whatsoever in the shed (if you wanted to install only some hardwired lights and nothing else, you could). But if you do install any receptacles, then they all have to be GFCI protected.

Not sure in current code, but a single circuit line to outbuildings for and a few outlets was ok.

Disconnect is the breaker in the panel.

 

[exranger06]

Not sure in current code, but a single circuit line to outbuildings for and a few outlets was ok.

Disconnect is the breaker in the panel.

225.31(B) says that there must be a disconnect on the building and it "shall be installed either inside or outside of the building or structure served or where the conductors pass through the building or structure. The disconnecting means shall be at a readily accessible location nearest the point of entrance of the conductors."

 

[Red 17]

Use 1" conduit and run a second hot from another breaker. Swerving suggestion.

The pull will be easier and you'll have more than enough capacity.

Even if you stick with 3 wires, go to 1" conduit.

 

[Swoop]

Yes, you should have a switch in/on the shed that cuts off all power to the shed. This switch should come BEFORE the outlet, not after.
I don't think there's anything in the code that says you have to install any receptacles whatsoever in the shed (if you wanted to install only some hardwired lights and nothing else, you could). But if you do install any receptacles, then they all have to be GFCI protected.

If I’m installing the first outlet on the exterior of the shed about a foot below where the wiring will enter the shed, this will have to be a weather protected switch. I’m thinking it will be easier to place the outlet inside the shed with the switch next to it and then run back outside the shed to add an outlet to the exterior.

 

[exranger06]

On a small shed, I don't think it matters much where you put the switch. The building is small enough that pretty much anywhere will be "near" where the wires enter the building. I think the code language is referring to larger buildings (like the size of a house) where you wouldn't want the disconnect on the opposite end from where the wires come in. That being said, I would just put the switch next to the door/entrance and put the outlet wherever you were planning on putting it. You only have to run one extra wire (switched hot) between the outlet and the switch.

 

[Swoop]

On a small shed, I don't think it matters much where you put the switch. The building is small enough that pretty much anywhere will be "near" where the wires enter the building. I think the code language is referring to larger buildings (like the size of a house) where you wouldn't want the disconnect on the opposite end from where the wires come in. That being said, I would just put the switch next to the door/entrance and put the outlet wherever you were planning on putting it. You only have to run one extra wire (switched hot) between the outlet and the switch.

If I am going to install multiple outlets, does only the first one need to be GFCI if they’re all on the same circuit?

 

[mike93lx]

If I am going to install multiple outlets, does only the first one need to be GFCI if they’re all on the same circuit?

Yes. One gfci protects everything downstream if you hook it up correctly

 

[egdede]

Consider running "underground feeder". It's EZ and proven for sheds the nation over.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Consider running "underground feeder". It's EZ and proven for sheds the nation over.

Plus in most places (In the USA) if it is GFCI protected before it goes into the ground from the source, it only needs to be buried 12 inches deep. It also needs to be protected from damage going into the ground at the source, and where it comes up from the ground at the shed, via conduit.

Check the price of a GFCI breaker versus the cost of a regular breaker and a GFCI receptacle.

Also, you may want to look into putting in a MWBC (multi wire branch circuit) setup to your shed instead of just a single 20 amp breaker. This will give you the ability to have two breakers, that are tied together, to allow you to have more power out there for things. If you go this route, the 12 inch deep burial does not apply however, and you would need to follow the codes on burying 240V circuits, which is not that difficult.

When I wired up my shed, I only ran a single 20 amp line out to it via a GFCI breaker and using UF-B cable. I only have a few lights out there, and a couple receptacles inside, and one outside for stuff like a battery tender for my tractor. But after the fact, I wish I had spent a few more dollars on doing the MWBC setup.

It would have been nice to have the extra 20 amps of power out there for running a heater inside during the winter while I use my angle grinder. I currently can't do both as they both draw over 12 amps each. I have to run a heavy duty extension cord out there to run the angle grinder. It's kind of a PITA that a MWBC would have cured.

Jim

 

[Norcal]

Plus in most places (In the USA) if it is GFCI protected before it goes into the ground from the source, it only needs to be buried 12 inches deep. It also needs to be protected from damage going into the ground at the source, and where it comes up from the ground at the shed, via conduit.

Check the price of a GFCI breaker versus the cost of a regular breaker and a GFCI receptacle.

Also, you may want to look into putting in a MWBC (multi wire branch circuit) setup to your shed instead of just a single 20 amp breaker. This will give you the ability to have two breakers, that are tied together, to allow you to have more power out there for things.

When I wired up my shed, I only ran a single 20 amp line out to it via a GFCI breaker and using UF-B cable. I only have a few lights out there, and a couple receptacles inside, and one outside for stuff like a battery tender for my tractor. But after the fact, I wish I had spent a few more dollars on doing the MWBC setup.

It would have been nice to have the extra 20 amps of power out there for running a heater inside during the winter while I use my angle grinder. I currently can't do both as they both draw over 12 amps each. I have to run a heavy duty extension cord out there to run the angle grinder. It's kind of a PITA that a MWBC would have cured.

Jim

If wanting to use the 12" burial option, 120 volts is the only choice, since that is the limit, no MWBC.

 

[CJ7VFR]

If wanting to use the 12" burial option, 120 volts is the only choice, since that is the limit, no MWBC.

That's good to know. I'm glad I actually did something right for a change! I'll edit my post about the MWBC so that no one in the future will get confused with it. Thanks for that.

Jim

 

[matt151617]

Hello all, I’m looking to run electricity to my shed.
Here's my plan....
- Adding a 20 amp single pole breaker to my main panel in the garage
- Running 10 gauge thwn wire (1 hot, 1 neutral & 1 ground) in 3/4" pvc conduit to the shed (18" below ground)
- I was then going to connect it to a gfci outlet on the outside of the shed before going into the shed with an LB fitting and then to a metal box with a switch to turn the power on/off.
Questions:
1) Do I need a gfci outlet at the shed?
2) Do I need a switch in the shed to shut off power to the shed?
Thanks,
Marc

Why not run an extra wire (so 240v), run 1" conduit, and do a 6-slot panel? Might as well future-proof it. The extra cost will be minimal. Better to do it now while the trench is open.

Install one GFCI outlet and daisy-chain the other outlets after that to the GFCI. I don't think you need a separate disconnect as long as it under the one hand throw/6 circuit rule.

 

[Norcal]

Why not run an extra wire (so 240v), run 1" conduit, and do a 6-slot panel? Might as well future-proof it. The extra cost will be minimal. Better to do it now while the trench is open.

Install one GFCI outlet and daisy-chain the other outlets after that to the GFCI. I don't think you need a separate disconnect as long as it under the one hand throw/6 circuit rule.

If they use the 12" burial option that is not a option.

 

[mike93lx]

Why not run an extra wire (so 240v), run 1" conduit, and do a 6-slot panel? Might as well future-proof it. The extra cost will be minimal. Better to do it now while the trench is open.

Install one GFCI outlet and daisy-chain the other outlets after that to the GFCI. I don't think you need a separate disconnect as long as it under the one hand throw/6 circuit rule.

If you put in a sub, you need ground rods.

I'd doing a mwbc to a shed, no panel, just two circuits. Everything will be tied into them and adding breakers doesn't add value for a low current feeder.

 

[readhead]

I’m in the shed business and the NEC says one 20 amp circuit is allowed from a panel in another location. For two or more circuits a sub panel (60amp minimum in our jurisdiction) with an outside disconnect is required.

 

[mike93lx]

I’m in the shed business and the NEC says one 20 amp circuit is allowed from a panel in another location. For two or more circuits a sub panel (60amp minimum in our jurisdiction) with an outside disconnect is required.

MWBC is fine. It's a single circuit from a NEC perspective.

 

[dave*99]

If wanting to use the 12" burial option, 120 volts is the only choice, since that is the limit, no MWBC.

Is that how that works? I expected since the legs of a MWBC are 120V to ground, it would be considered acceptable at 12" burial if upstream GFCI is provided.

 

[Norcal]

Is that how that works? I expected since the legs of a MWBC are 120V to ground, it would be considered acceptable at 12" burial if upstream GFCI is provided.

But a MWBC is 240V line to line.

 

[dave*99]

But a MWBC is 240V line to line.

Of course. But some electrical safety related code elements depend on voltage to ground. This just seems like one that would work that way. I guess not.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I’m in the shed business and the NEC says one 20 amp circuit is allowed from a panel in another location.

If your jurisdiction has adopted the 2020 NEC that's no longer true.
You can have up to 6 circuits but all must have separate outside disconnects for each.