I would like to install some fluorescent lights in my storage shed. The shed is about 100 square feet. I plan to have 2 banks with 80 watts each. The shed is about 80 feet from the main house. Can I run 14-2 in conduit to power the lights?
Also, I'm a bit unsure about how to bring the wires into the shed. This will be a 15 amp circuit. Can I put a "load center" with a breaker (5 or 10 amp) at the shed to turn off the power, or do you use some kind of switch or cutoff for the power? If not, I could run the wires straight into the switch box, and then on to the lights.
I was planning on running the wires in the shed through ENT, since the shed is just studs with paneling on the outside.
You will be okay by the 14 gauge wire. If you are concerned about having a disconnect, why would a regular switch not work. If it was me, I would run a 6 gauge wire out there and set maybe a 60 amp panel so I cound add circuits as I need them. I realize that it isn't that big of a shed but if you ever wanted to add a rec. to power most any tool, you're going to be a little on the small side.
So if I run the 14-2 to a switch and connect the ground wires, the shed wouldn't be separately grounded, but connected back to the house ground. Is this acceptable?
A small shed as you speak of can be supplied with a 15 amp branch circuit but it would be much better to supply with a 20 amp branch circuit. The shed needs a disconnect and this can be in the form of a simple toggle switch.
If your running underground a single 20 amp branch circuit and that branch circuit is gfci protected at its origin and in pvc conduit then it only needs to be 12 inches in a trench otherwise if direct buried uf-b cable 24". Any receptacles in the shed must be gfci protected if not the latter. The equipment ground in the branch circuit is all that is required in this application.
Point well taken. I did mention uf-b but maybe should have been clear that if directly buried he cannot use romex. Romex (NM-B) is indoors dry location only.
Thanks for the tips Stubbie. I actually ran THWN wires (black, white and a green) in pvc (3/4") conduit to the shed. My mistake JGarth, as I did say 14-2 which implies a sheathed wire set. I guess I could have run the UF 14-2, but I prefer putting it into the conduit anyway.
Your info brings up another question. The branch circuit to the shed (15 amp) is not GFCI protected. I hadn't planned on placing any GFCI recepticles in the shed, so how do I make it GFCI...maybe by going ahead and installing a GFCI plug ahead of the light switch? Or is there another way to make the shed GFCI compliant without using a plug at all? It's no trouble to install a plug if that is the easiest way.
You said "The equipment ground in the branch circuit is all that is required in this application." I will connect my ground wire to the green ground I ran through the conduit to the shed, and not install a grounding rod at the shed. The shed lights will then be grounded back at the main breaker. I believe I am following your terminology and I am okay in my setup.
Thanks for the tips Stubbie. I actually ran THWN wires (black, white and a green) in pvc (3/4") conduit to the shed. My mistake JGarth, as I did say 14-2 which implies a sheathed wire set. I guess I could have run the UF 14-2, but I prefer putting it into the conduit anyway.
Your info brings up another question. The branch circuit to the shed (15 amp) is not GFCI protected. I hadn't planned on placing any GFCI recepticles in the shed, so how do I make it GFCI...maybe by going ahead and installing a GFCI plug ahead of the light switch? Or is there another way to make the shed GFCI compliant without using a plug at all? It's no trouble to install a plug if that is the easiest way.
You said "The equipment ground in the branch circuit is all that is required in this application." I will connect my ground wire to the green ground I ran through the conduit to the shed, and not install a grounding rod at the shed. The shed lights will then be grounded back at the main breaker. I believe I am following your terminology and I am okay in my setup.
I've personally never heard of a rule requiring someone to gfci protect a shed (Canada). But if you want to, you could either install a 15amp gfci breaker in your main panel, and power the shed by it, or make the first box your 3/4 pipe runs to, a gfci plug... and connect the wires going to your sw (from there) to the slave of the gfci plug. <--cheaper
Not doing it at all <---cheaper
No ground rod at shed! The ground rods or plate that exist/s in the ground for you main service is the only ground required. It can be dangerous otherwise.
Gfci protection is required for all receptacles that are 120 volt in outbuildings in the USA. I believe this is also required in Canada.
No ground rod at shed! The ground rods or plate that exist/s in the ground for you main service is the only ground required. It can be dangerous otherwise.
The ground rod requirement is dropped for a single 15 or 20 amp circuit to a outbuilding, this includes multiwire circuits. However the ground rod is required for more than one circuit or when running a feeder to a detached building. Whether you install one or not is not going to make anything dangerous.
Thanks guys! You can learn an awful lot here. I guess I should have thought of that...switch to a GFCI breaker. :bangin:
Thanks again for all the help!
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