I currently have a 10'x16' shed which is being turned into a small wood working shop... I plan on running 14-2 wire for the 4 sets of fluorescent light units with 2 32 watt bulbs each on a separate circuit with a 15 amp GFCI ciruit breaker with 2 light switches, and running 12-2 wire for 8 outlets on a 20amp circuit breaker. I plan on running #10 uf underground wire from my basement to my shed and also install an GFCI on the outside of the shed for use with outdoor tools. I would also like to install dawn to dusk lighting on the outside of the shed do this need to be on separte circuit also.. I want to make I am doing this right and if not then how should things be done to make it safe for me and anyone helping me. Since I will have the GFCI breakers installed I should not need GFCI's inside the shed correct?

thanks


mike (Illinois)

Mike, in Illinos, as in most states, you will need a permit for this and a new panel in the shed. What county do you live?

Mike,

A permit and inspection are a normal requirement for this type of work.

Unless you are certain that you have an adequate service feed, it would be wise for you to contact a licensed electrician to have a load calculation done. You need to make certain that your service is capable of carrying the additional load. Not to do so is an open invitation to create an overload condition and possible fire conditions.

You need to rethink your cable size. #10 AWG is listed for 30 amps max.

Also, the depth of the buried cable must be looked at. There are codes that apply to burying cable.

Given that you are going to set up a wood shop, I would suggest bringing over at least 60 amps or more, not 30.

What is the distance from the main service panel to the proposed panel in the shed? I ask this because if the run is over 100' you may have to move to the next size larger conductor to meet voltage drop requirements.

Some mandatory rules:

A subpanel feeder must be a four wire feed.

The feed from the main service panel must be protected by a breaker equal to the amperage you are sending to the subpanel.

You must have a main cutoff switch or no more than six switches to kill the entire subpanel at the subpanel.

Neutral and ground cannot be bonded together at the subpanel. Nor can they be mixed on the buses. Neutral conductors can only be run to the Neutral bus bars. Equipment Grounding Conductors can only be attached to the grounding bus bars. ABSOLUTLEY NO CROSS CONNECTIONS of Neutral and ground conductors. The only place Neutral and Ground can be bonded together is at the main service panel or the main cutoff, whichever comes first in the circuit.

You must set up a separate grounding system for the shed.

You must have a light to the outside entrance of the structure.

Accessible receptacles must be GFCI protected.

Do not put lights and receptacles together on a GFCI breaker protected circuit. If the breaker trips, you are in the dark. I suggest that you run separate lighting and receptacle circuits.