Outdoor Outlet Wiring for Leaf Blowers, Power Tools and More

  I have an outdoor breaker panel that supplies 220 power to my pool pump. I would like to install a 110v outlet to power hand tools,leaf blowers etc. at that location. What wires do it connect my 110 outlet to?

This electrical question came from: Horst, a Homeowner from Paw Paw, MI

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Horst.

First lets cover the very important Electrical Codes:
No electrical outlet may be installed within 10 feet of the inside wall of
the pool.
The new outlet must have GFCI or Ground Fault protection which is best
provided by installing a GFI outlet.
All the new components for the outlet such as conduit, outlet box and
hardware must be water resistant and the outlet cover must be a water proof
cover.

The new outlet must be installed separately on a 120 volt circuit and cannot
be placed on a circuit with equipment such as the 240 volt pool pump.

The new circuit.
For this type of utility outlet you have a choice of a 15 or 20 amp circuit.
The size of the circuit will depend on the required load of the equipment
that will be used with this circuit.

Decide on the location for the new GFI outlet:
The location should be located outside of the 10 foot range of the inside
wall of the pool.
Measure this distance in order to purchase the necessary wire and conduit.

Wire Size and Type:
For a 15 amp circuit you will need #14 AWG wire with insulation such as THW
or THWN.
For a 20 amp circuit you will need #12 AWG wire with insulation such as THW
or THWN.
A black power wire and matching white wire and green wire will be used for
the neutral and ground wires.

Conduit Size and Type:
The conduit size may be 1/2 inch diameter for this type of circuit.
Because the GFI outlet will be outdoor it will require water proof fittings.
You can use solid conduit such as EMT, PVC or water proof Flexible Conduit
and water proof fittings.

Installing the Conduit to the Outlet Box:
For solid conduit, straps will be required within 3 feet of the panel and
outlet box enclosures and every 10 feet.
For flexible conduit, straps will be required within 12 inches of the panel
and outlet box enclosures and every 4 1/2 feet.

Installing the Wiring at the GFI Outlet:
Separate Neutral wire, Separate Ground wire.
The wiring must be installed to the location of the GFI weatherproof outlet
box.
The white wire will be installed to the new GFI outlet on the Line side to
the silver screw terminal.
The green ground wire is attached or bonded to the outlet box and to the GFI
outlet’s green ground screw terminal.
The black power wire is attached to a new GFI outlet on the Line side to the
Brass screw terminal.

Installing the Neutral and Ground Wires at the Electrical Panel:
The outlet circuit wiring is installed to an 120/240 volt electrical circuit
breaker panel which must have a separate neutral bar and a separate ground
bar. This will be evident as the neutral terminal bar will have white
neutral wires attached to it and the ground terminal bur will have green or
bare wires attached to it.
A open terminal position on the ground bar should be located where the green
ground wire can be attached.
A open terminal position on the neutral bar should be located where the
white neutral wire can be attached.

Installing the Circuit Power Wire to the Circuit Breaker:
A Single Pole 120 volt circuit breaker is purchased that is compatible with
the electrical panel, the amperage size as you have chosen, 15 or 20 amps.
Make sure the new circuit breaker is in the OFF Position.
The circuit breaker is installed in the panel to an available area or slot.
After the wiring has been installed at the GFI outlet and the cover has been
installed then the power wire is attached to the circuit breaker.
Access for the new circuit breaker will be required by removing one of the
“blanks” from the metal cover.
The cover should be labeled to identify the new circuit.

Once all the wire terminations are made and the covers are installed the
circuit is ready to be energized.
The GFI Outlet should be tested before use.

As always, all electrical projects should be done with a permit and
inspection from the your local building department to ensure all local code
compliance are met.

If there is any part of this project that you do not understand or are
uncomfortable with then hire a local professional to assist you with this
project.

This will provide GFI Protected power for your equipment.
Dave
The Following links will assist you with your electrical question:

Wiring a single GFI Outlet for the Protection for one outlet location
This method will provide GFCI protection to the immediate location only.
The wire leading to this location may be an extension from another branch circuit or it could be a single circuit being served from a panel or sub-panel.

How to wire a Single GFCI Outlet

electric panel

House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.