Hello everyone,
Have been researching the requirements for feeding electrical service to a new shed on my property.
The FACTS: sorry for the length and rambling ....
Entire distance for wire run in 3/4" PVC conduit = 130ft.
Shed electrical needs would involve a maximum of four 20 amp breakers for lighting, normal 120VAC electrical tools, and a small 120VAC AC unit.
Haven't finalized whether there will be a sub-panel rated for 60A (smallest I can find) or a main lug breaker load center rated 100A (again the smallest I can find).
Plan to install two ground rods minimum 6ft apart at the shed that will connect to the sub-panel or load center (whichever I end up using).
Plan to use an existing 50A breaker that is no longer being used as a feeder from my main house panel.
This breaker currently feeds a manual disconnect mounted on wall at rear of house for the old pool heat pump. I planned to remove this disconnect box & install a new 4sq PVC junction box. I heard something about code not allowing a disconnect to be junction box.
The wire size is #8 THHN/THWN-2 ....
There are only 2 -#8 wires w/a #10 grd wire... So I already know I need to add another #8 for a neutral.
From the PVC wall junction box - another 90ft to the shed for total wire run of 130ft. Wire the same #8 - 3 conductor ....
It is my understanding that I do not need to carry a ground wire from house panel to shed. Reason being it serves no purpose in the PVC conduit and that code requires shed panel to have its own separate ground (grd rods). Neutral and ground must/will have separate bus bars in shed panel. Correct?
Major concern of mine is wire size. Reading the NEC amp charts I see #8 THHN/THWN-2 is good up to 55A. But most of the web info I've read seems to indicate #6 is required...why?
If I need to pull all new #6, I will but hopefully this won't be necessary.
Anyway these are my main concerns. I'd appreciate any knowledgable advice about these issues.
I've already applied for the necessary permits and hope to do all the work myself as most of the electrical estimates are way over my budget. I have worked as an apprentice for about 3 years in commercial electric industry before moving into the electronics industry where I've maintained, perform PMs, repaired, troubleshot, and installed a wide variety of electronic equipment in hospital environment as a Biomedical technician for 25+ years.
I'm now retired (1year) and living in sunny Florida...
Thanks in advance,
Gary
Have been researching the requirements for feeding electrical service to a new shed on my property.
The FACTS: sorry for the length and rambling ....
Entire distance for wire run in 3/4" PVC conduit = 130ft.
Shed electrical needs would involve a maximum of four 20 amp breakers for lighting, normal 120VAC electrical tools, and a small 120VAC AC unit.
Haven't finalized whether there will be a sub-panel rated for 60A (smallest I can find) or a main lug breaker load center rated 100A (again the smallest I can find).
Plan to install two ground rods minimum 6ft apart at the shed that will connect to the sub-panel or load center (whichever I end up using).
Plan to use an existing 50A breaker that is no longer being used as a feeder from my main house panel.
This breaker currently feeds a manual disconnect mounted on wall at rear of house for the old pool heat pump. I planned to remove this disconnect box & install a new 4sq PVC junction box. I heard something about code not allowing a disconnect to be junction box.
The wire size is #8 THHN/THWN-2 ....
There are only 2 -#8 wires w/a #10 grd wire... So I already know I need to add another #8 for a neutral.
From the PVC wall junction box - another 90ft to the shed for total wire run of 130ft. Wire the same #8 - 3 conductor ....
It is my understanding that I do not need to carry a ground wire from house panel to shed. Reason being it serves no purpose in the PVC conduit and that code requires shed panel to have its own separate ground (grd rods). Neutral and ground must/will have separate bus bars in shed panel. Correct?
Major concern of mine is wire size. Reading the NEC amp charts I see #8 THHN/THWN-2 is good up to 55A. But most of the web info I've read seems to indicate #6 is required...why?
If I need to pull all new #6, I will but hopefully this won't be necessary.
Anyway these are my main concerns. I'd appreciate any knowledgable advice about these issues.
I've already applied for the necessary permits and hope to do all the work myself as most of the electrical estimates are way over my budget. I have worked as an apprentice for about 3 years in commercial electric industry before moving into the electronics industry where I've maintained, perform PMs, repaired, troubleshot, and installed a wide variety of electronic equipment in hospital environment as a Biomedical technician for 25+ years.
I'm now retired (1year) and living in sunny Florida...
Thanks in advance,
Gary