Wiring Shop

Scrubbie

I have read alot of information on here and I am still confused.....I am running power to a small shop I have. I will be coming from a bigger shop that is 200 ft away and has 200amp service. All I want to do is have enough at the small shop to run a couple of overhead shop lights, 1 recepticle for small powertools, and probably a large security light outside the shop. I know I need to dig a trensh 18in and use conduit for burial. My question is what size or kind of wire do I need to get to run from the large shop to the small one? What kind of boxes do I need? I thought this would be easy, but, the more I read on here the more I get confused.

secutanudu

I am pretty sure, and the others here can clarify, that you need a subpanel with ground rods for a detached structure. The wire you will want to use is THWN. This is rated for a wet location (buried conduit is considered a wet location).

Where will the conduit be leaving the main shop or entering the small shop? Above grade or below grade?

Before I provide some details (that I learned here) on installing a subpanel, I'll let one of the other experts post as to whether or not you have to put one in.

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Andrew

brric

A 3/4" or larger pvc would give you the best flexibility in case you want to expand your lighting capabilities or add larger power tools. However, cost wise, UF cable could easily do what you are describinng at far less cost. Depending on how far away the shop is (voltage drop) 12/3 OR 10/3 wg will probably give you more than enough power.

While you have a trench open you might want to drop some direct burial telephone cable in just in case.

plummen

If youve got 200' between buildings id run it in 2" pvc myself,leaves you plenty of room for updating later and is a whole lot easier to pull wires through.and becides pvc is cheap

brric

I agree. I missed the 200' part of the post.

Scuba_Dave

I'd run #6 wire , 1.5" conduit would still be plenty for 100a service in the future
Install a 100a main breaker sub panel, with voltage drop I'd use a 50a breaker in the Main panel to feed it
THWN wire - is rated to be used in conduit

2 hots, white neutral, #6 ground, 2 grounding rods connected w/#6 min wire

Do you need more power then that ?

plummen

2" pipe would still be a lot easier when you start pulling wire that distance