Providing electricity to a garage or backyard pond? Learn about code requirements, options for trench depth, conduit material, and electrical wire kinds.

Yes, You Can Run Electricity Into Your Backyard

Electrifying a detached garage, tool shed, or garden pond is an utterly do-it-yourself project that homeowners may undertake. You only require the appropriate information and direction.

The National Electrical Code contains fundamental standards for acceptable wiring methods and materials, the required burial depth of the wiring, and other safety concerns to assure that underground wiring will offer many years of safe, dependable operation.

There are four typical methods for installing underground electrical wiring in your yard. Your selection is largely determined by the sort of soil you have.

If the soil is granular and easy to dig, you can save money on electrical materials by excavating deeply; it may not be necessary to add metal or plastic conduit to protect buried wiring from physical damage. Alternatively, if the soil is rocky or heavy clay, or if there are many tree roots, you can minimize digging and protect underground wiring with metal or plastic conduit.

In addition, walk-behind trenching machines that can dig to a depth of 24 inches can be rented from a variety of hardware stores, home centers, and equipment rental businesses. A trencher can be rented for less than $100 for a half-day and around $150 for a full day. Optionally, a walk-behind cable plow equipment can be rented.

Options for Underground Wiring Burial Depth

Determine how much digging you are willing to undertake and the depth of your trench. This helps identify the wire type and installation procedure. Depending on the type of conduit, wire, or cable, underground cables and wires can be put at various depths.

Six inches

• Install six inches of galvanized rigid metal electrical conduit with individually insulated wires.
• Once the conduit is completely installed from end to end, the wires are pulled through it.
• Wires must be rated for usage in wet environments, such as Type THWN-2 (thermoplastic/wet environment/nylon jacket).

Twelve inches

• Install GFCI-protected direct-buried Type UF cable at a depth of 12 inches.
• The GFCI protection is a compromise that increases electrical safety and reduces the requirement for a deeper trench.

Eighteen inches

• Install PVC conduit containing insulated individual wires 18 inches deep.
• Once the conduit is completely installed from end to end, the wires are pulled through it.
• Wires must be rated for usage in wet environments, such as Type THWN-2 (thermoplastic/wet environment/nylon jacket).

Twenty-four inches

• Install Type UF cable for the whole line at a depth of 24 inches.
• This is again another compromise between depth and physical defense.
• Due to the fact that the direct-buried cable is alone in the trench without conduit or GFCI protection, it must be buried deeper.

Get a permit for electrical work and call 811

Here is a reminder to take the following precautions before burying underground cable:

• Call your local building inspection agency to determine if your project requires an electrical permit and inspections.
• Before the wiring is covered, the electrical inspector will verify the depth of the trench and inspect it.
• A few dollars spent on inspection costs are easily compensated by having a professional inspect and approve your work.
• Contrary to the common belief that building permits always raise property taxes, a complete record of permits and inspections at the local office will aid in the sale of your home.
• If your wiring is connected and activated when the inspector arrives, he or she may be able to conduct the final inspection at the same time, saving them a trip.