Cable to shed
#1
07-24-03, 05:21 PM
Cable to shed
I have a small 8'X 8' shed about 100' from the back of my house. I want to put an outlet near this shed. I will only use this outlet to ocassionally power a radio, or a hedge trimmer. Do I HAVE to install a subpanel out there, or can I simply run a line from an existing outside outlet (GFI protected) on the back of the house?
Like I said, I do not want overkill here, since I plan to use the outlet infrequently and with low loads.
Thanks!
Like I said, I do not want overkill here, since I plan to use the outlet infrequently and with low loads.
Thanks!
#2
07-24-03, 05:54 PM
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Location: Williamsport and Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
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You could add onto the existing circuit,
However I would run a dedicated circuit, with 10AWG wire back to the main panel. The distance of the run creates a voltage drop, which can be corrected by larger wire. What else is on the existing circuit? !5 or 20 amp? 14, 12, or 10 AWG?
What type of cable/conduit do you intend to use? Depending on the type, it will need to be buried 12 or 18 inches. GFCI protection provided before going underground can reduce the requirement. Conduit (PVC) would be highly recomended. Use THHN wire inside the conduit, or equiv. No romex or UF permitted in the conduit.
What other questions do you have?
gj
However I would run a dedicated circuit, with 10AWG wire back to the main panel. The distance of the run creates a voltage drop, which can be corrected by larger wire. What else is on the existing circuit? !5 or 20 amp? 14, 12, or 10 AWG?
What type of cable/conduit do you intend to use? Depending on the type, it will need to be buried 12 or 18 inches. GFCI protection provided before going underground can reduce the requirement. Conduit (PVC) would be highly recomended. Use THHN wire inside the conduit, or equiv. No romex or UF permitted in the conduit.
What other questions do you have?
gj
#3
07-24-03, 06:38 PM
Thanks for the quick reply.
There is nothing else on this circuit, and it is wired with 12 gauge and the breaker is 20 amp. The yard is full of underground rocks, boulders, tree roots, etc...so I was planning to run UF cable instead of pipe, due to the anticipated "zig-zaggy" route. I guess my original question was basically whether I could tap off the existing outside outlet, or if I had to run another seperate circuit, since my 100 amp GE breaker box has no empty spaces left, and I don't know of any tandem breakers to fit this panel.
Thanks!!
There is nothing else on this circuit, and it is wired with 12 gauge and the breaker is 20 amp. The yard is full of underground rocks, boulders, tree roots, etc...so I was planning to run UF cable instead of pipe, due to the anticipated "zig-zaggy" route. I guess my original question was basically whether I could tap off the existing outside outlet, or if I had to run another seperate circuit, since my 100 amp GE breaker box has no empty spaces left, and I don't know of any tandem breakers to fit this panel.
Thanks!!
#4
07-24-03, 07:05 PM
Sure, you can feed off the existing, no reason not to in this case. I am usually fussy about distance and V drop as Green Jacket is but here I think its irrelevent.
#5
07-24-03, 07:21 PM
Member
If the cable is GFCI-protected before it enters the ground, you only need to bury the cable 12". If you promise never to run more than a hedge trimmer out there, I'll let you use 12/2 UF-B. Sleeve the UF-B in schedule 80 PVC conduit until it reaches the bottom of the trench.
