Can I add a subpanel in my detached garage?

Yes, you can absolutely add a subpanel in your detached garage, and it's often the best solution for powering multiple circuits in an outbuilding. This is a common upgrade for Ottawa homeowners who want to run power tools, electric vehicle chargers, or multiple outlets in their garage.

Installing a garage subpanel requires running a feeder cable from your main panel to the new subpanel location. The size of this feeder depends on your power needs - typically 60A or 100A for most residential garages. The subpanel acts as a distribution point, allowing you to have multiple circuits (lighting, outlets, 240V for EV chargers or welders) without running separate cables back to the main house.

Key requirements under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code include proper grounding and bonding. The subpanel must have a separate grounding electrode (ground rod) driven at the garage, and the neutral and ground buses must be separated in the subpanel (unlike your main panel where they're bonded together). The feeder cable needs to be rated for outdoor/underground use if buried, or properly protected if run overhead.

ESA permit and inspection are mandatory for this work. The installation must be done by a licensed electrician who will pull the permit, ensure proper wire sizing, install appropriate overcurrent protection, and schedule the required ESA inspection. Typical costs in Ottawa range from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the distance from your main panel, subpanel size, and whether trenching is needed for underground cable.

Consider your future power needs when sizing the subpanel. If you're planning an EV charger, that alone will need a 40A circuit. Add lighting, outlets, and potential workshop equipment, and a 100A subpanel often makes more sense than a smaller 60A unit, even if it costs a few hundred dollars more upfront.

For a proper assessment of your specific situation and a detailed quote, Electrical Ottawa can evaluate your main panel capacity, determine the best routing for the feeder cable, and ensure the installation meets all ESA requirements. We'll handle the permit process and coordinate the inspection to get your garage properly powered.

---

Find a Licensed Electrician

Electrical Ottawa connects you with vetted, ESA-licensed electricians from the Ottawa Construction Network:Ottawa Electrical Contractors:

• Ring Electric Inc.
• Faulkner Electric
• Marcel Electric