Wiring metal shed

[breezluv32]

Hi everyone! This is my first post. I'd just like to say that I have found some great info on this site. I hope that someone can help me out with this project. I recently had a steel building installed beside my house. It has steel tubing for the frame with steel/metal siding, and sits on a concrete slab. All of the electrical will be exposed because I am not finishing the inside. It is about 20' from my house. I want to wire the building for a couple of lights and a couple of receps. I plan to run a new circuilt from my panel in the house (20 amp, 12/2 wire, gfci breaker). What I am having trouble with is the grounding. I am running pvc conduit to metal boxes attached directly to the steel framing. I would use a grounding screw in each box.
Question 1: Is this acceptable?
Question 2: Should I use emt instead of PVC conduit?
Question 3: Should I use plastic boxes instead of metal boxes?
Question 4: If there was a short, would it "energize" the entire building (framing and siding) since the boxes are in contact with the steel framing?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Norcal]

If everything is bonded correctly, there is no issue w/ metal boxes as a fault should clear quickly.

 

[Alchymist]

PVC is fine - but pull a grounding conductor along with the hot wires and ground each box.

And for a little more money, jump to 10-3 on a 30 amp breaker, put a small subpanel in. Lots more power and versatility, little more cost. You would only need #10 on the feed to the subpanel.

Personally I'd ditch the GFCI breaker at that point and just use GFCI outlets. Probably get by with two, and cost less. Don't forget the ground electrode at the steel building.

 

[Aceman]

PVC is fine - but pull a grounding conductor along with the hot wires and ground each box.

And for a little more money, jump to 10-3 on a 30 amp breaker, put a small subpanel in. Lots more power and versatility, little more cost. You would only need #10 on the feed to the subpanel.

Personally I'd ditch the GFCI breaker at that point and just use GFCI outlets. Probably get by with two, and cost less. Don't forget the ground electrode at the steel building.

A panel requires that he install a grounding electrode system as well. If he's happy with one circuit, it's a much simpler install. He only needs a snap switch for a disconnect and he's good to go.

 

[pattenp]

How are you running the wire for this circuit to your metal building? Under ground in PVC conduit or over head. Just make sure you use the proper wire either way.

 

[Alchymist]

PVC is fine - but pull a grounding conductor along with the hot wires and ground each box.

And for a little more money, jump to 10-3 on a 30 amp breaker, put a small subpanel in. Lots more power and versatility, little more cost. You would only need #10 on the feed to the subpanel.

Personally I'd ditch the GFCI breaker at that point and just use GFCI outlets. Probably get by with two, and cost less. Don't forget the ground electrode at the steel building.

A panel requires that he install a grounding electrode system as well. If he's happy with one circuit, it's a much simpler install. He only needs a snap switch for a disconnect and he's good to go.

Happy now, perhaps not so much later........