Running one neutral cable to shed

[MagicMikey]

Hello, my sheds subpanel currently does not have a neutral wire. Right now, there’s an 8/2 cable from a 40A breaker in my main panel going to the subpanel in the shed that is powering my pool pump at 220VAC on a 15A breaker.

I want to add some receptacles and lights to run off of 120VAC but there’s no neutral in the subpanel. I know that the best way might be to replace the 8/2 cable with an 8/3 but that is very costly.

I would prefer to run another cable, perhaps 10/2 simply for the neutral wire. The subpanel will have only two 15A breakers running off the 120VAC, hence the smaller gauge.

Would this be an issue?

Thanks.

 

[ptonsparky]

Just about everything is wrong with it.
Get some help. Pay for it.

 

[ActionDave]

I'm not understanding why running a new 8-3 is costly but running a new 10-2 isn't.
Do it right or don't do anything.

 

[Buck Parrish]

It wouldn't be code compliant - - 300.3 (B)

 

[McLintock]

Should just run a 6/3 out there and put in a new sub panel. Bigger is better you never know what else you/someone may add on.

I agree with others pay to have it done right, no need to jerry rig something together and it cause a fire


“ shoot low boys their riding shetland ponies”

 

[kwired]

Use a 240 x 120/240 transformer and then you don't need to run additional cables between structures. Depending on circumstances might still be less cost to replace with correct cable though. I myself would run raceway and pull individual conductors instead of cable in most cases.

 

[roger]

I doubt it changes anything but the OP is under the Canadian code.

Roger

 

[LarryFine]

Should just run a 6/3 out there and put in a new sub panel. Bigger is better you never know what else you/someone may add on.

Just to reassure us, what type of cable do you have in mind?

 

[suemarkp]

You said pool pump. Feeders supplying pool equipment have more restrictions under the NEC (insulated equipment ground, wiring method restrictions). So not only do you have the normal rules to comply with (running all the conductors together in a common cable or conduit, only one circuit to a building) pools add another layer of complexity. Not sure how canada changes this though.

 

[McLintock]

Just to reassure us, what type of cable do you have in mind?

If he’s going underground


“ shoot low boys their riding shetland ponies”

 

[ptonsparky]

PVC conduit if he is going underground. Bigger is better.

 

[Little Bill]

PVC conduit if he is going underground. Bigger is better.

I could run conduit & THWN conductors a lot cheaper than $353
Plus you don't take the chance of nicking the wire like with direct burial.

 

[winnie]

Unless this is a diy project, the cost of labor would exceed the cost of the wire, so it makes sense to simply install the proper cable and not try to somehow enhance the existing cable with an add-on neutral.


Jon

 

[petersonra]

There are really two NEC compliant options - new conductors or a small xmfr out in the shed. Previous posters have suggested both options. Neither is going to bust the bank.

This sounds suspiciously like a DIY project.

 

[ptonsparky]

There are really two NEC compliant options - new conductors or a small xmfr out in the shed. Previous posters have suggested both options. Neither is going to bust the bank.

This sounds suspiciously like a DIY project.

Nothing wrong with DIY work when a pool is involved. What can go wrong?