Detached Shed

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td1236

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The customer has a detached shed which is 100 sqft. He wants 4 reccessed lights, a few outlets, and a minisplit. The minisplit is 120 v. The shed is about 30' from the panel.

Do I need a subpanel on the shed in this scenario?
 
You could maybe get by with a multiwire branch circuit if you really wanted to skimp, but IMO a subpanel setup would be much better.
 
LarryFine said:
Absolutely, yes.
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Really? If we ignore the minisplit for the moment, then we have "4 recessed lights" and a few receptacles. Surely for that a single 20A 120V circuit would suffice?

If so, then it depends on the minisplit nameplate data. If 20A OCPD is workable, then that's just a second 120V circuit. So both loads could be covered by an MWBC.

Of course, a feeder may be the better idea and would allow for future growth. So the answer to the OP might be "not required, but a better choice."

Cheers, Wayne
 
wwhitney said:
Of course, a feeder may be the better idea and would allow for future growth. So the answer to the OP might be "not required, but a better choice."
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Agreed. I was not answering strictly from an NEC perspective, but more from a practicality viewpoint.

I tell prospective customers that the labor for running a 15a 120v line is basically the same as for running a 30a 120/240v line, and the materials will never be less expensive than they are today.

When I wired my own shed, I did what I described above, for three lights and one receptacle . . . now.
 
In some areas no building permit is need for a 10x10 or smaller shed. The small size means a MWBC may be adequate. Installing 1" PVC conduit would all a MWBC now and a feeder panel later
 
tom baker said:
In some areas no building permit is need for a 10x10 or smaller shed. The small size means a MWBC may be adequate. Installing 1" PVC conduit would all a MWBC now and a feeder panel later
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Don't know if Washington has a statewide rule, but in my area of eastern Washington, a building permit is not required under 160 sq feet. Of course an electrical permit is still required.
 
Dzboyce said:
Don't know if Washington has a statewide rule, but in my area of eastern Washington, a building permit is not required under 160 sq feet. Of course an electrical permit is still required.
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I think that's county based. You can do 400ft^2 in spokane County if it's for an Agricultural building without a building department permit
 
Besoeker3 said:
10x10 sq ft is quite small for a shed.
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Here in NJ you don't need a permit to put up an outbuilding that is up to 100 square feet. If you get one pre-fabbed that goes on a skid and is "portable", it also doesn't go on your property taxes.
 
If they want a mini split there is probably no way they only want a few receptacles and lights. Next it will be a small fridge and a flat screen tv.....
I'd do a sub panel.
 
qcroanoke said:
If they want a mini split there is probably no way they only want a few receptacles and lights. Next it will be a small fridge and a flat screen tv.....
I'd do a sub panel.
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Maybe you should upsell him to a 60 amp panel

Not sure why, but I'm picturing a pole pig running backwards to supply the plate on his "over the top" 160 meter amateur radio gear
 
My son was going to buy a 10 x 10 for a well house... it ended up being a 20 x 10 and a washer/dryer & water heater were added..next thing I know a min-split.... my well circuit is now a 70 amp feeder.
 
augie47 said:
My son was going to buy a 10 x 10 for a well house... it ended up being a 20 x 10 and a washer/dryer & water heater were added..next thing I know a min-split.... my well circuit is now a 70 amp feeder.
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Creeping featurism. Now you know why the Pentagon overspends on every new weapon system.
 
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