How to Safely Wire Your Backyard Shed on a Tiny Budget

Installing electricity in your backyard shed can seem daunting, but with some planning and budget-friendly materials, it's very doable. Here's how I wired my shed on a tight budget while following safety codes.

Assess Your Needs

Before wiring, think about how you'll use your shed's electricity. Are you adding lights and outlets? Running power tools or appliances? Your needs determine the electrical components.

For a basic shed, I'd recommend:

• Lights: Hardwired or plug-in light fixtures to brighten the interior.

• Outlets: At least 2-3 GFCI outlets for plugging in tools/devices.

• Circuits: One 15-20 amp circuit with 12 gauge wire for lights. A 20 amp circuit with 12 gauge wire for outlets.

• Wiring: Use copper THHN wire for outdoor use. Conduit protects wires.

• Box: A small subpanel connects your shed to your home's main panel.

Size components to handle your shed's estimated electricity demand.

Work Safely

Electricity can be dangerous. Follow safety codes and best practices:

• Turn off power at the main house panel before wiring.

• Use GFCI outlets and circuits for protection from shocks.

• Avoid overloading circuits. Balance loads across circuits.

• Use outdoor-rated materials like THHN wire and weatherproof boxes.

• Call an electrician if you're ever unsure about safe wiring methods.

Budget-Friendly Materials

You can wire a basic shed in the $200-500 range with:

• Subpanel box - $50-100

• GFCI outlets - $15-20 each

• Light fixtures - $10-50 each

• THHN wire - $50-100

• Conduit - $20-50

• Breakers - $10-20 each

• Miscellaneous supplies - $20-50

Shop sales and surplus stores. Buying higher gauge wire than needed, more outlets than required, and oversized boxes leaves room for expansion later.

Run Power from the House

Running electricity from your main house panel to the shed involves:

• Turn off main breaker and verify power is off.

• Run conduit from shed site to house panel. Bury at proper depth.

• Fish THHN wires through conduit into house panel.

• Install a cutoff breaker in house panel for shed circuit.

• Connect THHN wires to cutoff breaker.

This creates a dedicated circuit from your main panel to the shed.

Set up the Shed Subpanel

The subpanel in your shed receives power and branches it out:

• Mount subpanel box on shed wall per codes.

• Connect feeder wires from house to main lugs or breaker.

• Install branch circuit breakers for lights, outlets, and other loads.

• Run THHN wires from breakers to lights, outlets, etc.

Follow ampacity tables to size wires and breakers appropriately.

Finish By Making Connections

Complete the wiring by making safe connections:

• Attach wires securely to lights, switches, outlets using approved connectors.

• Install fixtures, boxes, outlets into shed walls properly. Seal openings.

• Label all circuits clearly on breakers and wire connections.

• Replace covers on subpanel and all junction boxes before restoring power.

• Turn power back on at house panel. Test all wiring before using.

Taking it slow, following safety guidelines, and buying only what you need allows you to wire basic electricity in your shed without breaking the bank!