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Power to future shed

Narfsplat

New member
Joined
Sep 19, 2020
Messages
1
Location
Madison, WI
Good morning,
I'm soon building a shed that I want to power. I'm not a builder nor electrician, but I feel like I should be able to do this myself, however I'm having some trouble coming up with the know-how. I already have zoning and building permits.

I want to run power to the 12x20 shed from the main panel in my house. The shed is about 100' away from the panel. I was thinking of putting a 60A subpanel in the shed to power things like lights, refrigerator, tv, maybe a mini split, basic power tools (saws/shop vac). I understand to do this I need to run four 4AWG individual conductors in conduit buried 18". I have seen/heard a special threaded or waterproof fitting is needed for buried conduit(?)

I'm going to put the shed on a packed gravel base. What I haven't found online yet is anyone pre-running the conduit prior to building the base so that the conduit comes up into the building from beneath rather than running over the top of the gravel.

Here are my questions:
Is it okay to pre-run the conduit, then pack gravel around it? If so do I need sch80 PVC for the areas where the conduit is less than 18"/above grade, and can use sch40 buried? Is 1" conduit the correct size? Do I need special fittings or can I just glue it together? I'm in WI using 2017 NEC.

Thank you!!!
 
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readhead

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2012
Messages
6,209
Location
Durango, Co.
This may not be an issue. Check with the inspector to determine if the entrance disconnect is required to be on the outside of the building. I’m pretty sure it will be which will put all of the installation on the outside of the building after it is set.
 
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theoldwizard1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,634
Location
SE MI
Conduit is not required (unless by local code), but is not a bad idea. The cable needs to be rated for "direct burial". The most commonly used cable is Mobile Home Feeder (MHF) which can be direct buried. MHF must be in conduit any place above ground, including inside buildings. MHF uses aluminum conductors and come in 2-2-2-4 gauge. A bit bigger than you need but cheaper than running copper.

Forget "waterproof" fitting. Standard conduit fittings are adequate.

This may not be an issue. Check with the inspector to determine if the entrance disconnect is required to be on the outside of the building.
Good tip !
 
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