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Every farm should function like a well-oiled machine, and machines need power. Electricity provides the power for all of your barn’s needs.
And when it comes to planning and installing electricity for your barn, an expert opinion is of the utmost importance.
“I don’t recommend doing your own electric for safety reasons,” said Debra Corr of Exclusively Equine Properties. “Electricity can be the scariest or the best thing in your barn.”
Knowing Your Codes
The NEC (National Electric Code) is the go-to guide for safe wiring. While wiring codes can vary between states, counties and even towns, the NEC is used as a template for all projects that require electricity. Some states require a licensed electrician to install all your wiring, while others allow you to do everything aside from the actual hook up.
It’s important to speak with your local inspectors before building to determine how to organize your electrical service.
“The electrical system of your barn can be as extensive and sophisticated as your needs, desires and budget allow,” said Tom Gumbrect, a master electrician who specializes in horse barns. “There are minimum standards [for electricity and plumbing], however, and they differ in horse barns from other types of construction. Proper planning will ensure that these standards are met, with no unpleasant surprises lurking.”
Water Wheels Or Power Lines?
The first step in getting power to your project is determining how the electricity will reach your barn.
“I look at how remote the location is, whether it’s going to need its own service or if it’s going to come from another building, and if it’s going to run underground or overground,” said Gumbrect. “Sometimes the utilities play into the actual location of the barn. It could cost $5,000 to put it here, but $35,000 to put it there. That’s why we like to come in during the planning stages.”
Today, most utilities run underground to the barn, and excavation for utilities can be expensive. It’s important to plan for your future needs as well as your current ones, so you only have to dig once. This includes things like providing spare and/or oversized conduits to upgrade electrical service in the future or running the wire for video monitoring.
Another consideration for barns is to have an emergency generator installed in case of power outages.
Gumbrect said that while any certified electrician is technically qualified to install electricity in a horse barn, many electricians aren’t familiar with agricultural building codes. Because of the unique environment of a barn, many “normal” electrical practices, such as bare light bulbs or an uncovered electrical outlet, are actually prohibited in agricultural buildings.
Special Codes For Horse Barns
Based on the 2005 National Electrical Code, which is the most recent code adopted by most municipalities. Local codes may supercede. Final interpretations of applicability of codes always lie with the Authority Having Jurisdiction, which is the local inspection authority.
