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Extension cable to shed question

5.4K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  jjgrask  
#1 ·
Hi all,

We have a shed that resides roughly 50ft away from the back of the house.
We also have a weather proof outlet in the backyard, attached to the house.

I'm pretty tired of using a flash light when looking for things in the shed at night, and wondering if I can safely (safely being the keyword) run an extension cable some how to the shed.

We just spent $2000 getting electrical work re-done on this house (new owners of an old house), so I don't have budget for electrician.


Is it possible to run an extension cable on a permanent basis to the shed from the outlet attached to the back of the house?

My intention should be to run a 7w LED bulb inside the shed, and possibly some 3w garden lights.

This is what the casing on the electrical outlook looks like on the back of the house:
Image



I realize power needs to be run 2 ft under ground and in conduit piping. I'm ok digging up the grass if need be.

Thanks for any input.
 
#5 ·
If you can dig a trench 12" deep to the shed it's easy. Tap off of the existing outlet. As long as it is GFCI protected, and it should be, UF cable can be run under ground. Just provide some protection where it goes in/out of the ground. You can then put an outlet box in the shed. You need to have a disconnect, a regular switch, out there too so you can shut the power to the shed off.

Always check local codes.
 
#8 ·
How often are you really looking for things at night ?

Years ago, I hung a 4 foot plug in shoplight in a shed. I had an extension cord that I had hung on a hook by the door with the female end connected to the light. If I could not find what I wanted by flashlight in a couple of minutes, I grabbed the cord, headed to the house and plugged it in. After my search was over, I unplugged the cord at the house, coiled the cord up and hung it in the shed.

While it was not just flipping the switch at the shed door, it worked for the half dozen (plus or minus) times a year that I need it for the prolonged searches at night.
 
#11 ·
This is probably more expensive than a permit, renting a ditch witch, a roll of 12/2 UF, the switch/light fixture and your time. . but you'd avoid digging a trench.

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/create-a-solar-powered-shed/index.html

You'd need:
Solar panel
Charge controller
Deep-cycle battery
Power inverter
Light fixture(s) & Bulb - I'm partial to the CREE bulbs from home depot.

The nice thing is that if you loose power in your home, you could use this rig to charge a cell phone, run/charge a laptop, run an extension cord from the shed and hookup a couple lamps, and perhaps small appliances.