Equipping a barn, shed or garage on your property with electricity begins with determining which local code requirements may apply for safety purposes, with specifications for detached garages being much more stringent.
Exterior garages and workshops are used to store vehicles and often house fuels and power tools. As a workspace for projects, the area might also be heated and provide a place for using those power tools, both of which have increased risk to people and property and therefore have different regulatory requirements than a storage shed.
Your municipality will determine whether your detached structure is a garage or shed. That designation will determine how you run electricity to your building.
Keep in mind that while running an extension cord to the separate garage might seem like a convenient shortcut, it’s not safe or sustainable. Whereas an attached garage can be powered by adding a circuit to the home’s existing system, a detached outbuilding requires a separate system.
Because of the complexity of wiring in an outbuilding, hiring a professional is best. A licensed electrician will help ensure that your outbuilding receives electricity in a way that’s safe and compliant.
The job involves installing a new breaker box and calculating load, wiring and conduit needs. An electrician can make those determinations based on safety code.
Before attempting to power a detached garage with an underground trench, you or your electrician must contact your local utility locating ser- vice—by calling 811—to determine if there are any gas lines or electrical cables in your yard.
It’s also a good idea to contact Bandera Electric Cooperative before adding any substantial electrical load to your property. As your trusted energy adviser, your co-op can provide suggestions and recommendations to make powering your outbuilding go smoothly and safely.
Posted: 4/1/2024 2:50:30 PM
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