How and Where to Drill Holes to Run Cables through Wooden Sheds

Drilling holes in order to supply any wooden shed with lights and power is an easy process. Any homeowner can accomplish this task with minimal effort and cost, as long as you are willing to spend a few hours doing some manual labor.

Step 1 - Dig a Trench

Before drilling holes into the wooden shed, dig a trench from the shed to the power outlet, such as the breaker box. If you are not planning on installing a new box from the power wires, then run a lead off of the house breakers. Once the trench is dug, run the wire through the conduit and then cover back up with soil and sod.

Step 2 - Drill the Inlet Hole

If the wooden shed is raised off of the ground, drill a hole from one of the framing studs, down through the floor. Run your main power supply through this hole into the breaker box, or junction box.

Step 3 - Install the Lights and Outlets

Decide where you want the lights and outlets to be, and run wire along the studs to the points where the ends need to connect. If the walls are already installed on the inside of the shed, then you can use the hook and fish method.

Find the location of a stud, secure an end of the electrical wire to a flexible, but solid, rod, and then drill some holes. The holes need to be at the top and bottom of the stud, both of them on the same side of the framing material. After the holes are prepared, hook the wire through the top hole and feed it slowly down. Fish through the bottom hole until you can grab the end of the wire and pull it through.

It is easiest to take the walls down, do your wiring task, and then re-secure the walls. When you install light and power boxes, you will have to cut sections out of the wall anyway. You might as well make this task easier by removing the walls, giving yourself complete access to the framing studs.

Step 4 - Drill through Studs

If you have to cross studs in order to feed the electrical wiring where you want it, simply drill small holes through the framing and push the wire through it. Use the smallest hole as possible to ensure the strength and integrity of the framing lumber.

Step 5 - Install the Lights and Power

Hook up all of the lights and power outlets that you have planned on. Use electrical caps, proper boxes, and always make sure that none of the wires are hooked up to the power source until the wiring components have all been installed.

Installing lighting and power into a wooden shed is an easy task that can be accomplished by the average homeowner. The only outside labor expense that you should need during this project is having an electrician hook the lead wire to the power source. This is a job that only a qualified professional should accomplish. Never attach wires directly to the power source unless you are a licensed and qualified electrician.