Wire reccomendations

[tskills10]

I am looking to run power out to my shed. I will have maybe 4-5 4ft shop lights along with maybe up to 6 outlets and 2 lights (not sure type yet) outside. Want to be able to run a small compressor if needed. The shed is about 220 feet from the house. I'm thinking that a 50-60 amp box would more than cover what I'm wanting/ preparing for. I'd rather be over done than not have enough juice to do what I may get into. As with alot of us cost is a concern. Wiring inside the shed isn't really an issue at this point I really just need reccommendations for what to run from the house to the shed. Thanks guys for the help.

 

[tylernt]

If you add up the amperage of all the lights you want and all of the devices you're likely to run at the same time, you can plug that number in to

http://www.electrician2.com/calculators/wireocpd_ver_1.html

to see what size of wire you'll need, and if you scroll down a bit you'll see a voltage drop calculator for your 220 feet. If the voltage drop is more than 5% you'll need to upsize your wire.

Now is the time to consider if you will add heating or A/C to your shed... electric HVAC can draw a lot of amps.

For you panel, you can either get a cheap 6-space panel, or if you want more spaces, you'll need a panel with a Main breaker.

You can either direct-bury "UF" (Underground Feeder) cable or run PVC conduit. The conduit is more work/money but will let you run new wires more easily should you ever decide to upgrade. Me, I'd probably just run UF a size or two bigger than I thought I needed, to account for future expansion.

 

[DefSport]

I'd do a 100 A subpanel while you're running it. The cost won't be that much higher, and if you have to go back and redo... You never know when you'll want to add some 240V equipment out there, and you'll eat up 50-60 A in no time with other base loads like lighting or maybe a little electric heat, tools or something like that.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... I'd rather be over done than not have enough juice to do what I may get into. As with a lot of us cost is a concern. ...

Those 2 statements a opposites !

At 200+ feet the cost of the wire will be much higher than the cost of the load center (sub panel). 50-60A is plenty of power to run lights and most power tools. The only issue you might have is running 2 high power tools, like an air compressor and a plasma cutter or welder, at the same time.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd do a 100 A subpanel while you're running it. The cost won't be that much higher, ...

The cost of the load center (subpanel) won't be much higher, but the cost of the wire will be !

You never know when you'll want to add some 240V equipment out there, and you'll eat up 50-60 A in no time with other base loads like lighting or maybe a little electric heat, tools or something like that.

Electric heat would draw a lot (20-30A ?). Turn it off when you have to run your compressor/welder.

 

[Highbeam]

Agree with wizard, the sub panel (load center) should always be a standard 100 or 125 amp box. These boxes are great since they are capable of holding lots of circuits, give you room to run wires, and are capable of lots of juice. They are cheap too.

I use a 100 amp panel and fed it with a 60 amp circuit in conduit from my home. I can always pull bigger wire if I want more power and when I do, the panel will be up to the task.

 

[tskills10]

I find the thought of running an AC and or heating unit in the shed to be funny. AC is a no, just not that hot here to justify. If I find myself working out there in the winter and need heat, I will just run a propane torpedo heater, so it won't draw many amps. I may give thought to moving my 220 compressor to the shed if the day comes that I get a bigger one for the garage. I do most of my work in the garage, but find myself wanting/needing power way back in the yard and running 200+ feet of extension cords isn't that good.

 

[Highbeam]

You never said how big your shed is. In some parts of the country, a shed can be a 40x60 pole barn. In my part of the country a shed is an 8x10 building to park your lawn mower and garden tools.

Also, you will see people running more power to their "shed" than they do to their homes depending on the use such as metal working, wood working, or automotive.

Garabage in garbage out. It you want better information, fill us in.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... at this point I really just need reccommendations for what to run from the house to the shed.

4 gauge copper wire would be adequate for 60A at 220' according to the wire calculator I used.

2-2-2-4 mobil home feeder (which is aluminum) would be good for 50A at 220'.

 

[tskills10]

You never said how big your shed is. In some parts of the country, a shed can be a 40x60 pole barn. In my part of the country a shed is an 8x10 building to park your lawn mower and garden tools.

Also, you will see people running more power to their "shed" than they do to their homes depending on the use such as metal working, wood working, or automotive.

Garabage in garbage out. It you want better information, fill us in.

You are right, I never gave a thought to the wide difference in people terms and usage of a "shed". My shed is 16x18 with a 10 foot lean-too. It is mostly used for storage. But need to run power for various tools at the back portion of the property. But I would like to be able to do some light work back there instead of dragging it to the garage.

4 gauge copper wire would be adequate for 60A at 220' according to the wire calculator I used.

2-2-2-4 mobil home feeder (which is aluminum) would be good for 50A at 220'.

Thanks for the info. I will look into costs

 

[CNGsaves]

You are right, I never gave a thought to the wide difference in people terms and usage of a "shed". My shed is 16x18 with a 10 foot lean-too. It is mostly used for storage. But need to run power for various tools at the back portion of the property. But I would like to be able to do some light work back there instead of dragging it to the garage.

Thanks for the info. I will look into costs

Only $1.49/ft for that 2-2-2-4 aluminum service entry wire (they don't call it Mobile Home Feeder (MHF) at Home Depot) when I called last week. Can be direct buried but I'm going to use sch 40 pvc electrical conduit between my house and detached garage but only 40 ft. For your long 220 ft run the trench digging will the the hard part unless you have access to vibratory plow that could put 3/4" conduit into ground deep enough to meet code.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Only $1.49/ft for that 2-2-2-4 aluminum service entry wire (they don't call it Mobile Home Feeder (MHF) at Home Depot) when I called last week.

I guess they don't know how to de-acronynize !

Southwire 500 ft. 2-2-2-4 AL USE MHF Service Entry Electrical Cable