Homeowners often want to enhance the quality of their lifestyles or home values by constructing outbuildings. Outbuildings in the form of greenhouses, she-sheds, storage facilities, and playhouses are among the improvements considered. DIY enthusiasts are frequently tempted to save costs by wiring these outbuildings. However, there are several reasons why a DIY job is not recommended. Safety is the primary concern, while the complexity of the job is another. Let’s look at just how complex powering an outbuilding really is.
Powering an Outbuilding
For starters, powering an outbuilding requires the intermediate or advanced skills of a qualified electrician. Several considerations and preparations are required before beginning the job. First, the outbuilding’s wiring requires separate treatment as opposed to viewing the work as an extension of the home’s wiring.
Second, substantial preparation is needed before any electrical work can proceed. The local building authority will need to be contacted prior to commencement of any electrical work. Applicable electrical codes must be followed, a permit is needed, and official inspections are needed throughout the process.
The tools and time required to complete the installation must be considered. Trenches will need to be dug for underground wiring, which can be time consuming. Current wiring will need to be identified and disconnected to prevent potential interference or electrical shocks. Wiring should never be left incomplete or open when doing because of the safety risks to human and animal life.
Finally, four cables are typically required to feed power to the outbuilding including two hot cables, an insulated neutral cable, and a ground cable. In certain circumstances, codes will allow for only three cables to be used. This is acceptable when the ground and neutral cables are combined into one conductor.
Contact Tim Kyle Electric
Contact Tim Kyle Electric, electrician in Walkersville, when considering powering an outbuilding for a safe, streamlined installation. Electrical codes require that specialized cabling be used. Approval for direct burial must be obtained for the use of four individual cables with insulation. Cable burial should be a minimum of 2 feet underground, however, this is dependent on specific local authority codes and other utilities. Additional considerations such as loads, attachment to service panels, and routing is necessary. Also, conduit sizes, placement and activation, materials, joints, and traffic must be considered. With this amount of detail required, you can understand why an expert electrician is necessary! Contact Tim Kyle today.