[smata67]

So I ran power to an outbuilding at my home (18" deep) and installed an Eaton BR 125amp load center in it. I plan on two circuits there for now, a 20amp breaker for outlets and a few lights which will be protected locally by GFCI outlets (or GFCI breaker) and a 20 amp breaker for an outlet feeding a fixed 240V compressor. Not sure if this is needed to have GFCI, but I would go with either a GFCI breaker or GFCI outlet for this one. Future work might include a circuit for a small window A/C unit or heater. It is actually a shed 20'x10'.

Building is 100' away and I have run 2-2-2-4 aluminum feed cable (URD) in 1 1/2" conduit. Back at the main panel in the house, do I need to install a 60amp GFCI breaker for this building, or will a regular 60amp breaker do? The CH 60amp GFCI breaker would be $135 and the BR breakers or any GFCI outlets required for the shed would be substantially cheaper.

But basically, what I'm asking, do I NEED a GFCI breaker at the main panel by Code or can I get away with local GFCI-ing at the shed?

 

[Wiredindallas]

I would not think GFCI is needed on either the feeder or the 240 volt circuit. I would use combo arc fault/GFCI breakers for the 120 volt circuits.

 

[Jim Port]

The gfi protection can be at the shed panel. The feeder does not require gfi protection.

 

[smata67]

So I would only need to provide GFCI protection for outlets I might use to plug in items I might use outside the shed? Lighting and an outlet for an indoor mounted compressor should be fine w/o GFCI?

 

[seharper]

You need 18" of cover over conduit, 24" of cover over direct burial.

I wouldn't bother with GFCI protecting the entire shed. Just breaker it 90A and G2G.

On the shed, you'll need to GFCI protect the 120V receptacles through a GFCI breaker, deadfront, switch, switch-recep combo, or recep.

The lights do not need GFCI protection and should be on a different circuit from things like saws. Their own circuit is just a good idea. Panel spaces are cheap and you have plenty I'm sure.

You'll need to GFCI protect the compressor once NEC 2020 lands in your jurisdiction. Pull the permit now lol. You can sidestep the GFCI requirement by hardwiring it (is it going anywhere?

 

[chetwisner]

So I would only need to provide GFCI protection for outlets I might use to plug in items I might use outside the shed? Lighting and an outlet for an indoor mounted compressor should be fine w/o GFCI?

I think you may have read the answer wrong. The feed (the line coming to the shed) doesn't need protecting, but you should have protection for the outlets at the shed. You want that protection whether you're working inside, or outside the shed.

 

[Jim Port]

Protecting the feeder will be much more expensive than gfi protecting the branch circuits. It also adds inconvenience of needing to go back to the house should it trip.