Detached Small Outbuilding with Plywood Floors

J

jimzlyriks

Member
Location
Henrico
Occupation
Retired electrician
Hi. I am a retired electrician, so I haven't taken a code class in a while. Is it code-compliant to run two 120-volt circuits to my outbuilding, which contains a roof and floor from my house panel. I have buried a 2" PVC conduit 18" + in the ground to house the conductors. Also, do the circuits need to be GFCI protected, and if so, how? With GFCI breakers or GFCI feed-through receptacles? Also, is it OK to run THWN or THHN #10 Copper conductors for the 120-volt feeds for the two circuits? The house panel is approximately 80' from the detached shed. Thank you for any help you can provide.
 
The application you described seems to be overkill on pipe size but Code compliant nonetheless. Whether GFCI protection is required by the NEC depends on if the accessory building is "at or below grade level." If you have steps that lead up to an elevated floor, GFCI protection is not required. But it certainly is the best practice because I'm sure you will eventually use a receptacle within that building to power something outside. (extension cord, lawn equipment, etc...) Your GFCI protection can be in the form of a circuit breaker or a GFCI device.
 
NEC allows a single or multwire breach circuit to a seperate building without grounding electrodes. In your case, use a 2 pole circuit breaker in your house panel. At the seperate building used a 2 pole switch as a disconnect at the point of entrance-this would be for 14 or 12 gage on 15 or 20 amp branch circuit
As far as GFCI, see 210.8 for where required, does not seem required, but I agree with previous post.
10 gage is fine, on a 20 amp breaker.
 
If you plan on doing other things later than run a 60 amp circuit and install a sub panel. @tom baker stated that you can run only one branch cir. or you can use a multiwire branch circuit (one neutral, 2 hots and an equipment grounding conductor. A multiwire branch circuit is considered one circuit.
At the outbuilding you will need a dp disconnect. No ground rods needed unless you go the panel route
 
Dennis Alwon said:
If you plan on doing other things later than run a 60 amp circuit and install a sub panel. @tom baker stated that you can run only one branch cir. or you can use a multiwire branch circuit (one neutral, 2 hots and an equipment grounding conductor. A multiwire branch circuit is considered one circuit.
At the outbuilding you will need a dp disconnect. No ground rods needed unless you go the panel route
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Yep, what Dennis said. The AHJ here (mis)interprets code as requiring a 60A feeder (and 2 ground rods also) and subpanel for anything other than a single 20A circuit to any outbuilding.

Since you are doing the work at your home, might as well do the 60A, you might need to park an EV nearby and want a charger in the future.
 
junkhound said:
Yep, what Dennis said. The AHJ here (mis)interprets code as requiring a 60A feeder (and 2 ground rods also) and subpanel for anything other than a single 20A circuit to any outbuilding.

Since you are doing the work at your home, might as well do the 60A, you might need to park an EV nearby and want a charger in the future.
Click to expand...

Imo, and I know it is not the opinion of the forum members, a 60 amp disconnect is required if you are installing a panel. Whether 60 amp conductors are required that is anpother story.
 
With a 2 inch pvc raceway I'd pull a 60 amp minimum circuit.
You will be glad you did.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Imo, and I know it is not the opinion of the forum members, a 60 amp disconnect is required if you are installing a panel. Whether 60 amp conductors are required that is anpother story.
Click to expand...
I think your option is the norm - most inspector think you have to have a minimum 60 amp “feeder” when that rule states a 60 amp “disconnect”
 
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