How To Bring Electricity To Your Shed

ottawa shed electrical

While not everyone needs electricity in their shed, increasingly clients want the convenience of being able to charge their lawnmower and yard tools in the shed where yard equipment is stored. Depending on how the space is being used, others need lights and outlets because they’re in the shed after dark.

If this is what you’d like, here’s how to go about it.

Call to have your utilities located

The “call before you dig” is very important because if you dig without the proper locates and you hit a utility, you’ll be responsible for the cost of repairing the utility, and this cost won’t be insignificant. Better safe than sorry!

In Ontario, you will contact Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or through the website https://www.ontarioonecall.ca/. This is a free service.

Excavation of the electrical trench

If you’re so inclined, this is work that you can do. A 20” deep electrical trench needs to run from the location where the wire will exit the house to the shed. If the basement is unfinished, wiring will be able to run inside the house and exit on the wall closest to the shed, which means less digging. If the basement is finished, then the likelihood is that the wire will exit the house where the electrical panel is inside the house. This can translate into a long electrical trench, but unless you’re prepared have the basement ceiling opened up, it’s really the best option.

Installation of the electrical conduit

You or your landscaper, if you’re having landscaping done, can lay the conduit for the electrician. The trench should be inspected by ESA before it’s closed because ESA will want to check the depth of the trench. With ESA approval, you’re then cleared to close the trench.

Running power from the house to the shed

A licensed electrician should be hired to run electricity from your house to the shed. Once the main wire has been brought to the shed, you can have lights and outlets installed. Depending on what you’re planning to do in the shed, the electrician will determine how much power you need and whether there is enough space on your existing electrical panel to accommodate your needs. If there’s not, the electrician will be able to discuss options with you.