How to Connect Your Shed to Power: Everything You Need to Know

Adding electricity to your shed transforms it from simple storage into a fully functional space. Whether you’re planning to use it as a workshop, hobby room, office, or guest cabin, having outlets, lighting, and even heating/cooling can make all the difference.

At Eagle Ridge, our sheds with electricity are built with their own electrical panel already installed. That means everything inside is ready to go — lights, outlets, and switches. The final step is bringing power from your home (or another source) to that panel.

Here’s everything you need to know about connecting your shed to power.

Step 1: Understand the Basics

When your shed has its own panel, the setup works just like a small version of the electrical panel inside your home. To make it live, you’ll need to supply electricity from your main service panel to the shed panel.

There are two primary ways to run power:

Underground Connection – Electrical wire is buried in a protective conduit from your house to the shed. This method is safer, more durable, and visually cleaner since no wires are exposed.
Overhead Connection – Electrical wire is run above ground on poles or posts between your house and the shed. While usually faster and sometimes cheaper, it’s less attractive and can be more vulnerable to weather damage.

Most homeowners choose the underground method for long-term reliability and appearance.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Wiring & Materials

Using the correct cables, conduit, and breakers is essential for safety and code compliance. A few key considerations include:

Wire Size (Gauge): The distance from your house to your shed and the amount of electricity needed will determine the correct wire gauge. For example, a shed with multiple outlets, lighting, and AC will need heavier gauge wire than one with just a few lights.
Conduit: Underground runs usually require PVC conduit to protect wiring from moisture and damage.
Breaker Size: Your home’s electrical panel will need an appropriately sized breaker to feed the shed’s panel.
Grounding: The shed’s panel must be properly grounded to prevent electrical hazards.

⚠️ These details can get technical, which is why consulting an electrician is strongly recommended.

Step 3: Hire an Electrician (When in Doubt, Always)

Electricity is not something to guess at. Improper installation can lead to dangerous situations such as electrical fires, shock hazards, or costly code violations.

A licensed electrician can:

Assess your shed’s electrical panel and your home’s capacity.
Determine the safest and most cost-effective way to run power.
Handle permitting and ensure compliance with local electrical codes.
Complete the trenching, conduit, wiring, and final connections.

Even if you’re handy with DIY projects, this is one area where professional help is usually the best path forward.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Powered Shed

Once power is brought to your shed’s panel, you’re ready to enjoy all the benefits of a fully functional space:

Bright lighting for hobbies, work, or storage.
Power for tools, equipment, and appliances.
Comfort options like heaters, fans, or AC units.
Charging stations for electronics.

Because your shed’s internal wiring is already done by us, as soon as the electrician connects the power to the panel, everything inside is operational.

Final Thoughts

Connecting a shed to power doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the panel pre-installed in your Eagle Ridge shed, most of the work is already done. Your job is simply to decide how to bring power to the shed and work with a professional to make it happen safely.

By doing it right the first time, you’ll have peace of mind and a shed that functions like a true extension of your home.

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