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[Electrical] Powering a shed, above ground.Hi. I have a shed that I am building beside my carport. I don't want to dig up my driveway to run power to it. I am wondering if I can run power along the top of the car port and across to the shed.
I had a outdoor light that I could use as the power source and it's already run so just wondering if that would work.
Thanks! |
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I'm having trouble visualising your buildings and their relation to one another, could you add a picture please.
Also, how much power do you need in the shed? |
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sure, attached Is photo of the old shed but it's where the new shed will be. The front post of the carport is where the light was that I could pull power from. As far how much power? I am building an outdoor office, so I want a light, an outlet for my computer and a heat source. |
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 tp0dyabbazooie
Premium Member
join:2001-02-13
Bulger, PA
4 recommendations |
tp0d
Premium Member
2017-Sep-4 8:45 pm
What type of heat source? Any electric heater is going to be 1500w, for it to matter.. Thats a 15amp circuit right there, over the potential of the existing light circuit. Then another approx 15a for lights, computer, etc..
If you want a fire, cheap it out. If you want to do it right, run at least 2x new 20 amp circuits to this shed thing. I would highly recommend getting an electrician.
-j |
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to konajunction
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to tp0d
ya, all good points. I agree. I am more so wondering if I HAVE to go underground or can I run it above ground. I really can't dig up my driveway so if that's the only option I probably can't use it for. what I want. |
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 Tursiops_GTechnoid
MVM
join:2002-02-06
Brooksville, FL |
Can you dig down on either side of the driveway?
If so, you may be able to have a conduit driven laterally under it. |
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The panel is in the far right corner of the carport, and the driveway goes all the way to the back of the car port so I could dig for part of it, but wondering if I can run it above ground at all? Is it a straight "no" or is it more a rule than can be broken? |
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tp0dyabbazooie
Premium Member
join:2001-02-13
Bulger, PA |
tp0d
Premium Member
2017-Sep-4 10:46 pm
Yes you can definitely run it above ground, with the proper conduit and an aerial connection.. How long would the unsupported cable be?
-j |
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Well if I run it along the top of the car port to the front post then across to the shed it would only be a a few feet. So you are saying it then goes into the top of the shed? |
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kherr
Premium Member
join:2000-09-04
Collinsville, IL
2 recommendations |
kherr
Premium Member
2017-Sep-5 8:15 am
where you run it overhead ... you definitely want it high enough not to be hit when carrying stuff (12'+). |
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 Msradell
Premium Member
join:2008-12-25
Louisville, KY |
to konajunction
You could use a rigid conduit and span that distance without a problem also using rigid conduit he would have to have line so tall that you would avoid hitting it because as long as you didn't hit it with a vehicle rigid conduit would hold up. |
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to konajunction
Are you getting a ready made shed? Hope that isn't too nosey.  |
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to kherr
ya, well if it runs along the top of the car port and then over to the shed it won't be in the way to get hit at all I don't think. |
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| konajunction |
to fresnoBob
I am building it myself |
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kherr
Premium Member
join:2000-09-04
Collinsville, IL |
to konajunction
said by konajunction:ya, well if it runs along the top of the car port and then over to the shed it won't be in the way to get hit at all I don't think. ...... 'don't think' doesn't cut it .... if your wrong, someone could be dead ..... |
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to konajunction
If you want to do it right, ensure that liability is low and not have it look "red neck" I think you should go underground with the feed. If there are no other utilities in the way just dig a trench and bury it and of course use the proper termination where it enters the shed/office. And has already been said, make sure the proper size circuit is used (use a electrician).
You can save money by digging the trench yourself based on the requirements the electrician provides. |
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ya, I really can't dig though. My driveway is in the way  |
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| konajunction |
to kherr
ya, well I am saying it won't go above an area where something tall would ever pass. It's not wide enough for something tall to pass through. |
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1 recommendation |
to konajunction
said by konajunction:ya, I really can't dig though. My driveway is in the way I used this when faced with a similar problem. » www.borit.com |
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to konajunction
Use conduit along the wall to the corner of the house in the carport, then angle down and go underground from there. or put in an outlet at the corner, then run an extension cord as needed for the shed. |
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3 recommendations |
to konajunction
said by konajunction:Hi. I have a shed that I am building beside my carport. I don't want to dig up my driveway to run power to it. I am wondering if I can run power along the top of the car port and across to the shed. Simple answer yes if you can run the drop high enough to provide safe clearance over grade. I had a outdoor light that I could use as the power source and it's already run so just wondering if that would work.
Thanks! Not a good deal, you really need to add a new 240/120 branch circuit preferable in the service entrance and a sub-panel in the shed. Something like this. 
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to konajunction
Looking at that, you could do above ground through the house, then switch to buried to go the rest of the way once past the driveway. As for load, I'd look at 2x20A circuits in a sub panel, and perhaps leave room for a little expansion for down the road. |
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1 recommendation |
ya, I had an electrician come out and basically say the same thing so I think that's what I'll be doing. Thanks! |
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