How to Run Electricity to a Pole Barn

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Although running electricity to a pole barn can be dangerous, you can do it yourself if you simply follow some basic safety rules. Planning is a key phase. If you do careful planning followed by quality work, you can have a safely wired pole barn. Before you begin, make sure that you have the time and skill to complete the job safely, otherwise, you should consider hiring a professional. Read on to learn how to run electricity to a pole barn.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Estimate how many amps you'll need in your pole barn. If you are simply planning to have a light fixture or two and a couple receptacles, you won't need as much power as you would if you're planning to run a host of different electrical devices. You can calculate the number of amps you will need by dividing the watts by the voltage (typically 120 or 240 volts).

Step2

Measure how far your pole barn is from your house. Remember, the further the barn, the more cable (and the larger wire gauge) you'll need if you're planning to run a circuit from your home service panel.

Step3

Decide if you're going to run a circuit from your main home service panel or simply get a new service feed from the utility company. If your pole barn needs a lot of power or if it's far from the house, getting a new service feed is probably the best choice. Otherwise, you can run a circuit off your main service panel.

Step4

Check the local electrical codes to determine what you need to do to get the job done in accordance with local regulations. Consult with your local electrical inspector as well; local laws typically require an inspector to review many electrical jobs.

Step5

Run the cable from your main service panel out to the pole barn. Depending on the cable, you may be able to bury it directly in the ground or you may have to bury it in conduit. Check your local electrical code for regulations on the trench depth for cable burial.

Step6

Wire the fixtures, switches and receptacles in the pole barn. Connect them to the cable from the service panel.

Step7

Connect the cable to the service panel. Depending on the locations of the fixtures and receptacles, you may have to use a GFCI-protected circuit breaker. Once your work has been inspected (if necessary), you're ready to turn on the power.

Tips & Warnings

If you want to install a new electrical service feed, the process is similar but more complicated. You'll need a new electrical meter and service panel in addition to the other materials for installing fixtures and receptacles.
Check local regulations before beginning the project. If you have any questions, contact your local electrical inspector.
At each step of the process, follow all the necessary safety precautions for working with electricity. Don't hook up the circuit to the service panel until you have checked your work thoroughly and, if necessary, had your work inspected by a local authority.