How is power run to an Ottawa detached workshop?

Running power to a detached workshop in Ottawa requires a dedicated outdoor electrical circuit installed by a licensed electrician, and almost always requires an ESA permit.

The most common approach is a subpanel feed from your main house panel to the workshop. Rather than running a single circuit, a subpanel gives you flexibility - you can power multiple tools, lighting, and outlets from one feed, and add circuits later without digging again. A typical workshop subpanel runs 60A to 100A depending on your needs, fed by a 60A or 100A breaker in your main panel.

Getting Power to the Building

The two main methods for running the cable between your house and workshop are underground burial or overhead aerial installation, and each has trade-offs.

Underground (most common in Ottawa): Conduit or direct-burial cable is trenched between the buildings. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires specific burial depths - generally 600mm (24 inches) for conductors in conduit, though this can vary based on cable type and location. Underground is cleaner, permanent, and protected from Ottawa's harsh winters. The trench must avoid gas lines, water lines, and other utilities - always call Ontario One Call (1-800-400-2255) before any digging.

Overhead aerial: Wire is run on a pole or messenger cable between buildings. This avoids digging but requires proper clearances - typically 3m (10 feet) minimum height over pedestrian areas and higher over driveways. It's less common for residential workshops but can be more cost-effective on properties where trenching is difficult.

What Size Service Do You Need?

Think about what you'll actually run in the workshop. A 60A subpanel handles most hobbyist setups - lighting, a table saw, dust collector, and a few outlets running one major tool at a time. If you're running a welder, air compressor, and multiple large tools simultaneously, or planning an EV charger in the shop, size up to 100A. Your electrician will do a load calculation to confirm.

Permits and Inspection

This work requires an ESA permit - no exceptions. Your licensed electrician pulls the permit before work begins, completes the installation, and an ESA inspector verifies everything meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code before the circuit is energized. This protects you for insurance purposes and ensures the work is done safely.

What to Expect for Costs

In the Ottawa market, a typical detached workshop feed runs $1,500 - $3,500 depending on distance, burial depth, panel size, and site conditions. That includes the subpanel, wiring, trenching (if straightforward), and permit fees. Rocky soil, long runs, or a main panel that needs upgrading to accommodate the new load will push costs higher.

For a free estimate tailored to your property, request a quote from Electrical Ottawa - we'll assess your main panel capacity, the best routing between buildings, and exactly what your workshop needs.