new shed, detached, running mains electricity?

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kingdragonfly

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#296358 10-Jun-2022 15:59

Hello all:

I know a certified electrician would have all the answers. I just want to a rough idea. I'd have an electrician do the work.

If I install a detached shed some distance from my house, is it a big deal to get it electrified with mains power?

Because of its position and distance, I'd have to have at least one post, about 3 meters tall.

While I'm on the subject, is it much more expensive to get a mains power point attached to the outside of the shed?

sen8or

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#2924840 10-Jun-2022 16:31

Can't dig a trench and bury the cable?

Not an electrician, but it should be possible to run a feed from the house MSB and put in a smaller DB in the shed from which to then provide whatever power. Could be different ofcourse if you are looking at 3phase power, not sure on that, but depending on the length of the run, 16mm or 25mm buried in duct (600mm down IIRC) is likely to run a small shed without too much volt loss (again, all subject to electricans calculations). Not sure if you will get them installing mains power cable above ground, even 3m up on a post.

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richms

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#2924842 10-Jun-2022 16:33

Don't do overground on your own property, you are not immune from maintaining it as safe like the line companies are and it will deteriorate very quickly compared to buried cables.

Depending on how far it is the sparky might want a separate earth rod for the out building, that's something best taken into consideration before you do all the concreting as well.

Richard rich.ms

Jase2985

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#2924844 10-Jun-2022 16:39

define some distance?

Scott3

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#2924846 10-Jun-2022 16:41

As other have said, not a big deal to get power to you shed.

Did it at a family home years ago.

sparky will add a breaker to your main circuit board, and do a run to the shed, where they will install a sub-board, which circuits like lighting, power outlets can be wired to.

As others have said, the norm is to go underground. (cable in conduit in a trench, 600mm is the typical depth.).

SATTV

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#2924852 10-Jun-2022 16:57

A directional driller or thruster will be the best bet for the trench, no digging up driveways etc.

I know enough to be dangerous

kingdragonfly

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#2924854 10-Jun-2022 17:08

Jase2985:
define some distance?

about 18 meters, over a tiered backyard.

I was think I could use the post for a security camera, light, and some birdhouses.

richms

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#2924858 10-Jun-2022 17:15

kingdragonfly:
Jase2985:

define some distance?

about 18 meters, over a tiered backyard.

I was think I could use the post for a security camera, light, and some birdhouses.

The cost of all that messing around vs some conduit and a ditch digger hire would need to be weighted up, plus you can then no longer have vehicle access to the area as that has a greater need for height. Posts are not cheap, installing the post. Lots to do vs a ditch that you can get any labourer to dig and then have the sparky drop the conduit into. Remember to put another one in to pull comms cables or fiber too, if you want internet in the shed or cameras etc because when the ditch is open, its basically free. Perhaps a water feed too if you want a tap back there. You can always do another conduit run from one end to where you put a pole for your cameras and birdhouses and put a power socket and sensor lights on it at the same time.

Richard rich.ms

Jase2985

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#2924859 10-Jun-2022 17:15

18m go underground

gregmcc

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#2924870 10-Jun-2022 17:35

kingdragonfly: Hello all:

I know a certified electrician would have all the answers. I just want to a rough idea. I'd have an electrician do the work.

If I install a detached shed some distance from my house, is it a big deal to get it electrified with mains power?

Because of its position and distance, I'd have to have at least one post, about 3 meters tall.

While I'm on the subject, is it much more expensive to get a mains power point attached to the outside of the shed?

Go underground, there is a standard for overhead cables that could easily make it quite expensive.

There are also some exclusions for overhead cables, such as above swimming pools, but this is something you need to talk to your electrician about.

While underground may be more costly, in the long run it's more maintenance free and won't affect your view like an overhead cable will

tweake

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#2924932 10-Jun-2022 20:24

just keep in mind typical sub main is only 30 amp. that can be a real problem for machinery, welders etc unless your 3 phase.

Daynger

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#2925281 11-Jun-2022 16:02

tweake:

just keep in mind typical sub main is only 30 amp. that can be a real problem for machinery, welders etc unless your 3 phase.

No it isnt, there is no "typical" submain size.