The longer we live in our homes the more things and accessories we accumulate. Often to compensate for the growth and overflow, we will build a small storage shed out back, perhaps a garden shed to house the landscaping or pool equipment, or even convert a storage shed into a hobby room. Whatever the case, you may decide that running some electricity to the outside structure is crucial to making life a whole lot more convenient.
Burley Electrical Services, Inc would like to give you steps to getting electricity outside.
There are two ways to run a power supply from your house: underground or running the cable overhead.
Underground Cable: Cables run underground can be protected by PVC conduit, solvent-welded together using straight connectors to make a continuous run, or you can use underground cable. Bury cables 18 inches beneath paths or patios, and 30 inches beneath lawns and flowerbeds.
Overhead Cable Lines: Using an ordinary PVC-sheathed cable, if the distance between the buildings is 10 feet or less, is an easy method. Longer distances have to be supported by a tensioned support wire and cable buckles, and this wire must be grounded to the house’s main grounding point. The distance has to be at least 12 feet above ground over a path, and 17 feet above ground over a drive or other area with vehicular access.
Electrical Outlets: Having an outdoor outlet for easier use of electrical garden grooming equipment or holiday lighting, is better than running a multitude of extension cords or propping the windows open. Electrical outlets provide a better safety measure but be sure to get a weatherproof outlet with built in, high sensitive GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). Exterior outlets can be single or duplex, and should have spring-loaded covers. The covers are efficient to protect the outlet from bugs, insects, dirt and moisture. These days they are also by code, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for added safety. Outside, a person is more easily grounded and is often working with water and power tools so electrocution is a danger. If your home does not have GFCI protection, it is best to add it. Contact Burley Electrical Services, Inc to install additional electrical outlets in or on your home!
Running power to a building outside: The perfect way to take power to a shed or something similar, is by running a 240-volt circuit from the main breaker panel in the house to a sub-panel to the outer structure. Once the 240-volt circuit terminates in the sub-panel, it can be broken down into 240-volt circuits and 120-volt circuits as needed. The line can be run using the appropriately sized underground cable only, but it is better to run the cable through PVC conduit to protect the cable from damage and moisture. The cable should be run about 18 inches to 24 inches below ground level. Depending on the size of the outbuilding and its intended use, the 240-volt circuit breaker size will have to be determined. In most homeowner projects, a 20-amp or 30-amp breaker will be adequate. First it must be determined if there is an open space in the main breaker panel and then if the panel has the electrical capacity to handle another 30-amp circuit.
Professional Above Ground & Underground Cable Installation, Installing Electrical Outlets & Licensed Electricians in Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida
If you do not have a reasonable background in electrical work, it is crucial to hire a licensed professional to handle this kind of work. When doing such a project, always make sure you are up to code with expansions, and obtain permits of required. Burley Electrical Services, Inc has the proper licensing and trained experts to help you with this project.
