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    bforsythe's Avatar
    bforsythe Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 18, 2009, 08:58 AM
    Connecting to an outbuilding
    I need to run electricity to a shed that is approximately 65' away from my subpanel. I assume that I can use underground wire instead of having to use conduit. I will only be supplying electricity to a small refrigerator and a couple of fluorescent lights. What wire size should be used and if I called an electrician in to do this task for me what would be a round about estimate of the overall cost?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 18, 2009, 09:14 AM
    Well, considering we know absolutely nothing about the details of this job it is impossible to even guess at a price someone would charge.
    Even your location is a big factor.

    For what you need a multi-wire circuit would be fine. You can run 12/3UF cable and get two 20A circuits from that.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jan 18, 2009, 09:30 AM

    I'd personally go with #8, voltage drop is 1.7% or 2 volts.

    #12 is 4.2% or 5.1 Volts

    Once you get to the shed, you can switch to #12.

    The troublesome part is trenching. The wire must be buried at least 18" deep.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jan 18, 2009, 09:35 AM
    KISS,
    #8?? For 65'??
    What are you basing this on? :confused:

    I don't care WHAT the load is, at 65' VD is NOT even a consideration. :cool:
    Especially for such transient loads.
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