How to Connect an Electrical Supply to a New Outdoor Shed

If you like to take on a DIY project or two, you may be thinking about setting up a separate workplace at home to further your objectives. Many people want to keep this activity separate so they do not make a mess indoors and, in this case, may decide to build a garden shed for the purpose. Yet, to be as productive as possible here, you need a power source, so how difficult will it be to run electricity through to this shed?

Experts Only

While you may be a DIY enthusiast, you'll undoubtedly want to outsource this particular job to a qualified electrician. After all, you need to make sure that you install everything correctly to give you an uninterrupted power supply but, crucially, that the work is done safely and with due regard to the outside elements.

Underground Requirements

To begin with, an electrician will need to extend the power supply from your main switchboard through to your new shed by installing an underground cable. This cable is typically steel wired and armoured, designed to be buried without issue and will be able to withstand water, bacteria or burrowing insects. The expert will decide what type of cable to use and its capability bearing in mind your requirements.

Properly Assessing Your Needs

So, your first job is to determine what those requirements will be. How many power sockets will you want, and what type of equipment will you connect to them? Presumably, you will need lighting so that you can work during those dark evenings and may also require some heating as well. Remember, it is better to overestimate the requirement rather than add additional cabling if you want more capability later. And don't rely on extension cables because you think this will make it easier. These cables are only ever meant to be a temporary solution, and you should add an appropriate number of outlets instead.

New Circuit and System Upgrade

This type of project will probably call for a completely separate electrical circuit, so are you sure that your existing installation can cope with this type of expansion? Again, talk with the electrician, and they will look at your current system. They may need to replace the switchboard and carry out certain upgrades before continuing.

Where to Start

Before you make too many plans and order your new shed, consult with an electrician first. They will tell you precisely what needs to be done to budget accordingly.

For more information, contact an electrician near you.