Can I run a sub-panel to my detached garage from my house in New Brunswick?

Yes, running a sub-panel to a detached garage is a common project in New Brunswick, but it requires a licensed electrician, a TSANB permit, and careful planning for our climate conditions.

Sub-panel sizing for a typical garage:

• Basic garage (lights, outlets, garage door opener): 60-amp sub-panel is sufficient


• Workshop with power tools: 100-amp sub-panel recommended for table saws, air compressors, welders


• Heated garage or EV charger: 100-amp minimum, possibly 200-amp if combining heat and EV charging

How the wiring runs:

You have two options for getting power from the house to the garage:

Underground feeder cable (preferred): Buried in conduit at minimum 24 inches deep (CEC requirement). Use PVC conduit rated for direct burial. In New Brunswick, dig below the frost line where possible — our frost depth reaches 48-60 inches in northern NB, though the electrical code only requires 24 inches of cover for rigid conduit. Consider going deeper to avoid damage from frost heaving.

Overhead feeder cable: Must maintain minimum clearances — 12 feet over driveways, 10 feet over walkways per CEC. This option avoids trenching but is more exposed to NB ice storms and falling trees.

Costs in New Brunswick:

• 60-amp sub-panel installation: $2,000-$3,500


• 100-amp sub-panel installation: $3,000-$5,000


• Underground trenching adds $15-$30 per linear foot (depending on soil conditions — rocky ground common in NB increases costs)


• TSANB permit: $100-$200

NB-specific considerations:

• Frost heaving: Use expansion fittings on underground conduit runs to prevent cracking from ground movement


• Ground conditions: Much of New Brunswick has rocky soil or high water tables. Your electrician may need to coordinate with an excavator for trenching


• Separate grounding: The sub-panel in the garage needs its own grounding electrode system (ground rod) per CEC — the neutral and ground must be separated in the sub-panel, unlike the main panel


• Disconnect requirement: A disconnect switch may be required at the garage if it's not in sight of the main panel

Process: Your electrician pulls the TSANB permit, installs the sub-panel, runs the feeder, and schedules the inspection. Expect the project to take 1-2 days for installation plus inspection scheduling time.

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