You will want to talk to the inspector (as well as an electrician) before proceeding. trust me, dont just take the electricians word on what the install needs to be. he 'may' not be entirely aware of changes in the code, and nuances of what inspectors would want to see in your specific area. Typically a jurisdiction will have electrical information for home owners that is quite detailed, as they typically let the owners pull their own permit if they are performing the work. Always best to get the inspector on side before you begin, because if you start and they don't see something you like they'll make your life hell... i always challenge inspectors and do things differently, but i do that for a living, so i like to get them going!hahaha!
- is a 24" deep trench deep enough between house and garage? consider, is there a driveway over or just turf?
- is 4" of gravel at the bottom an acceptable base when using conduit? no base is typically necessary, so a good question for your area.
- is 1.5" PVC conduit acceptable? you dont necessarily need conduit in the trench, depends on depth, and if you use Teck (protected wire). but you will need it coming out of the ground to an lb outside the house/garage
- how much distance between the conduit and a run of red warning tape is recommended? Or, to say it another way, if the conduit is 20" deep (on top of the base), how deep should the warning tape be?
- what is the recommended amperage of a garage sub-panel when running flourescent lighting, a variety of shop tools, a beer fridge, and 220v for welding? 60 Amp? 100 Amp?
you shouldnt have any problem with 60A, but you will need to decide 60 or 100 as this will impact conductor size (i.e. #6 or #2) and conduit size (if you use conduit)
It all depends on the situation. Some of what 67sd is saying is correct. Ive been an electrician for long enough now and dealt with enough inspectors to know it all depends on what you want and if the inspector is having a bad day. The code is the code , there is no point in challenging them on it because it is all right in the code book! For me to tell you over the computer what you need to do is inadequate . I would be willing to come have a look and do a consultation for you , depending on where you are located. From the pictures I'm assuming that you are wanting to do all the work yourself?
I would be willing to come have a look and do a consultation for you , depending on where you are located. From the pictures I'm assuming that you are wanting to do all the work yourself?
Thanks for the offer, Chopper, but I'm four hours away from you.
Yes, I'll be doing the work.
Tell me this.....do all the inspectors work for the provincial agency now, rather than the local municipality?
I looked for their website using the name you gave me, and found lots of good info.
For example, I wondered about the depth of the trench between the house and the garage, and the acceptable base, etc. Their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section has lots of good info....
Subject: NMSC, burial depth
Question: What does the Ontario Electrical Safety Code require when burying a non metallic sheathed cable (NMSC) supplying a shed, a detached garage, a post mounted receptacle, a 120 volt light fixture in my yard, or similar things?
Answer: The Code requires non metallic sheathed cable to be buried at least 600 mm (24") below non-vehicular areas and 900 mm (36") below vehicular areas. An example of a vehicular area is a laneway, an example of a non-vehicular area is a lawn.
The Code permits these depths to be reduced by 150 mm (6") where mechanical protection is placed in the trench above the cable.
Direct buried cables shall also be surrounded by at least 75 mm (3") of 6 mm (1/4") nominal screened sand or earth.
A suitable electrical warning marker tape shall be buried along and above the cable route and be located approximately halfway between the cable and finished grade.
Where mechanical protection is used for reduced depth, it shall consist of one of the following and, when in flat form, shall be wide enough to extend at least 50 mm beyond the conductor, cables, or raceways on each side:
(a) Treated planking at least 38 mm thick; or
(b) Poured concrete at least 50 mm thick; or
(c) Concrete slabs at least 50 mm thick; or
(d) Concrete encasement at least 50 mm thick; or
(e) Other suitable material.
Ontario Electrical Safety Code Rule 12-012.
Related Answers 12-27-14 NMSC, type for underground 12-33-15 Buried wiring to well pump 12-33-17 Electrical cable and gas pipe in same trench 12-33-24 NMSC, burial depth below concrete or asphalt? 12-33-26 Buried wiring guidelines. 11-49-11 Electrical cable and gas pipe in same trench
I hope you won't mind if I ask for interpretation now and then. I'll spend the next few days researching.
I'll spend the next few days researching.