Running Power to a Shed: What's Involved
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Running power to a shed means a licensed electrician runs a cable from your main switchboard to a small sub-board in the shed, with its own safety switch and circuits for lights and power points. How big the job is depends on the distance, the ground between, and how much you want to run. It cannot be a DIY job or an extension lead.
Shed, granny flat and sub-board work is a regular part of our work: over 40 jobs for home owners in the 12 months to October 2026.
Why an extension lead is not the answer
A lead from a power point inside the house is fine for a few hours. It is not safe as a permanent supply. Leads can be damaged by weather, mowers, water and pets, and an overloaded lead can overheat. Anything left connected in the shed can also be a fire risk.
A proper supply is hard-wired, protected by a safety switch, and installed to the wiring rules. That is what a licensed electrician provides. See our shed and granny flat power page for the job in more detail.
How power gets to a shed
In most homes, the job follows these steps:
- The electrician checks your main switchboard has room and capacity for the extra circuit.
- A cable is run from the switchboard to the shed. It is usually buried underground in conduit, or sometimes run overhead where that is allowed.
- A small sub-board is fitted in the shed with circuit breakers and a safety switch.
- Lights, power points and any fixed equipment are wired off the sub-board.
- Everything is tested before power is switched on.
The route matters. Cable has to avoid pipes, paths, trees and pool areas, and be buried at a safe depth. Your electrician will walk the route with you before quoting.
What to think about before you call
- What will you use the shed for: storage, a workshop, a studio or a hobby room?
- What equipment will run in there: power tools, a compressor, a welder, a heater, an air conditioner?
- How far is the shed from the house, and what is between them: lawn, concrete, garden beds, a retaining wall?
- Do you want outdoor lights, a switch at the door, or an extra power point outside?
- Might you want a fridge, internet or a small office there later?
Tell us your plans now. It is much cheaper to size the cable and sub-board for what you will want in three years than to redo the job later.
Heavy equipment and bigger loads
A welder, a large compressor, an electric heater or an air conditioner draws far more power than a few lights. These can need a heavier cable, a bigger sub-board, or a change at your main switchboard. Some homes may also need a switchboard upgrade before they can take the extra load. We will check this when we look at the job.
Granny flats and studios
If the building is a self-contained granny flat or a second dwelling, the supply may need more than a simple sub-board. It can involve separate metering and approvals (our page on consumer mains covers the supply side). That is a different job and we will tell you honestly what is needed before work starts.
Safety and compliance
Running power to a shed must be done by a licensed electrician. Hoile Electrical holds SA electrical licence PGE 229 469. Do not dig for or bury cable yourself, and do not connect a shed to your house wiring from a power point.
The new circuits should have safety switch protection (see RCD vs safety switch). Garden sheds are damp and often have concrete floors, which is exactly the setting where a safety switch matters most.
What to ask your electrician
- Can I see your licence number? (How to check an electrician's licence in SA)
- Where will the cable run, and how deep will it be buried?
- Will the shed have its own safety switch?
- Does my switchboard have room, or does it need work first?
- Is the quote fixed, and what could change it?
Call Hoile Electrical on 0482 099 388 and we will talk through the job and arrange a look at the site.
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Common questions
Can I run an extension lead to my shed permanently?
No. A permanent supply should be a fixed cable to a sub-board installed by a licensed electrician. Extension leads are for temporary use only.
Does the cable to a shed have to be buried?
Usually yes, in conduit and at a safe depth. Overhead runs are possible in some cases. Your electrician will advise on the right method for your yard.
Do I need a safety switch in my shed?
You should have one. Sheds are often damp and have concrete floors. Safety switch protection on the shed circuits is standard practice.
Can my house switchboard handle a shed?
Often, but not always. An older board may be full or may lack a safety switch. We check this before quoting.
Can I run a welder or air conditioner in my shed?
Possibly, but these need a heavier supply. Tell us what you plan to run so the cable and sub-board are sized correctly.
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