Master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner run electrical service from his home to his new shed. Working together, the two install a subpanel in the shed and run conduit from the house to the shed for the new supply wires. Then, Heath installs the new circuit breakers and wires the shed for lighting and outlets.
Next, we meet with host Kevin O’Connor and paint expert Mauro Henrique to talk about Mauro’s favorite painting tools and supplies. Mauro shows Kevin his selection of drop cloths, extendable paint poles, rollers, trays, and more, explaining what each is for on the average paint project.
Finally, Kevin heads back to the shop to play a game called “Disposal or Compost?” with heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada. After Kevin holds up a picture, these two experts decide which disposal or compost pile is best. The results may surprise you.
How to Run Electrical Power to a Shed
Adding power to a shed transforms it from simple storage into a functional workspace. With electricity, you can add lighting, outlets for power tools, and even heating and cooling.
Where to find it?
Dig Trench
- White marking paint
- Call 811 before digging to check for underground utility lines.
- Mini excavator: This trench was dug about 2ft.
- Shovels: To smooth out the trench and spread sand.
- All-purpose sand: Heath added about 3” of sand before laying conduit. Sand adds a cushion for rock movement during the freeze-thaw cycle.
Run Conduit
- 1-¼” x 10ft PVC schedule 40 conduits: The bell end should be facing downhill.
- 1-¼” 90-degree schedule 40 standard radius electrical plain end elbow
- 1-¼” PVC caps: Gently place on the end of the 10ft conduit while connecting the opposite end to the LB fitting. This will prevent dirt from entering the conduit.
- PVC cleaner
- PVC cement
- PVC heating blanket: Use to slightly bend the PVC conduit if needed.
- PVC cutter
Mounting LB Fittings
- 1-¼” LB conduit fitting: Heath used 4 total.
- 1-¼” schedule 40 electrical PVC expansion fitting: Use these in areas where conduit is run outside of the ground, exposed to the elements. This type of fitting compensates for length changes caused by temperature variations.
- Pipe strap 1-¼” 2-hole
- Drill/driver
- 2” hole saw w/ arbor and pilot bit
- Torpedo level
- Exterior grade, paintable window, door, and siding sealant
Add Grounding Rods
- 5/8in. x 8ft. copper grounding bar rod: After adding conduit and before the 2nd layer of sand, Heath placed 2 vertical posts in the trench, 6ft apart.
- SDS-Max rotary hammer
- 5/8” ground rod driver
- Bare #6 copper: Used as ground wire to connect ground rods and the electrical panel.
- 5/8” ground rod clamp: Used to connect the ground wire to the rod.
- Ratchet and socket: Used to tighten ground rod clamps.
Fill Trench
- Shovel: Heath used a shovel laid across the trench and measured from there to the conduit to check that the conduit would be buried at least 18” deep.
- All-purpose sand: Heath added another 3” of sand on top of the conduit before backfilling with soil.
Add Caution Tape
- Scotch detectable buried barricade tape, “Caution Buried Electric Line Below”
Add Electrical Panel
- Siemens SN series 125 amp 20-space 20-circuit: The subpanel installed should be rated for more amps than the breaker feeding it.
Pull Wire
- Electrical steel fish tape
- 6 AWG standed copper THHN wire: 100ft of black, green, red, and white on a spool
- Mule tape / pull tape
- Electrical tape
Must-Have Supplies to Paint a Room
Every tradesperson has their own list of go-to tools that they take on every job. When host Kevin O’Connor asked paint expert Mauro Henrique which tools he has to have on every project, Mauro was happy to show them off.
Where to find it?
- 9-inch plastic tray
- Plastic sheeting
- Paint roller
- 4-inch paint brush
- Mini roller
- Roller frame
- Paint cup liner
- Paint extension pole
- 15-in-1 tool
Garbage Disposal or Compost?
Ever get stuck wondering whether you should put something down your garbage disposal? Is it safe, or should you throw it out? Or better yet, can you compost it and create nutrient-rich soil? That’s what our contestants on “Garbage Disposal or Compost?” are facing today.
Products and services
All other tools and materials can be purchased or rented from Home Depot.
