Is Teck cable used for a Calgary garage feed?

Yes, TECK cable is one valid option for feeding a detached garage in Calgary, but it's not the only option — and in many cases, it's not even the most common choice. The right approach depends on whether the run is underground or overhead, the distance involved, and your electrician's preference.

Underground Runs: TECK vs. Conduit with Wire

For an underground feed to a detached garage, Calgary electricians typically use one of two approaches:

TECK cable direct-buried is a legitimate option. TECK (technically TECK90 in the Canadian market) is an armoured cable with an aluminum interlocked armour jacket and a PVC outer sheath, rated for direct burial and outdoor exposure. It handles Calgary's frost depth requirements — the Canadian Electrical Code requires underground conductors to be buried at a minimum depth that accounts for frost penetration, and in the Calgary area that means at least 600mm (24 inches) for TECK in conduit, or 750mm (30 inches) for direct-buried TECK depending on the specific installation conditions and local authority interpretation. Your electrician will confirm the required depth with the City of Calgary permit office.

Rigid PVC conduit or rigid metal conduit with individual conductors is the other common approach. Many Calgary electricians prefer conduit because it protects the wire, allows future wire replacement without digging, and is straightforward to inspect. NMD90 wire is not rated for underground use — if conduit is used, the wire inside needs to be rated for wet locations (RW90 or THWN-2 conductors).

For pricing context, TECK cable runs $2.50–$9.00 per foot depending on the conductor size. A typical garage sub-panel feed (60A or 100A) uses 3-conductor plus ground TECK in an appropriate gauge — 4 AWG copper for a 100A feed, 6 AWG for a 60A feed.

Overhead Runs: A Different Animal

If the garage is close enough and local zoning allows it, an overhead feed using triplex or quadruplex aluminum service entrance cable is sometimes used instead of going underground. This avoids the trenching cost entirely. However, overhead runs have strict clearance requirements — minimum heights over driveways, grade, and the garage roof — and the aesthetics aren't always desirable. Most Calgary homeowners doing a proper garage development opt for underground.

Calgary-Specific Considerations

Calgary's climate makes underground installation details matter more than in milder cities. The frost depth exceeding 1.2 metres means shallow trenches are a code violation and a practical problem — ground heave from freeze-thaw cycles (made worse by chinook temperature swings of 20–30°C in a single day) can shift conduit and stress connections at entry points. Your electrician needs to seal the conduit entry into the garage carefully to prevent moisture and cold air infiltration, which is a real concern when temperatures drop to -30°C.

UV degradation is also worth noting for any above-grade portion of the run. At Calgary's elevation of 1,045 metres, UV exposure is intense, and any exposed conduit or cable jacket should be UV-rated or protected.

Permit Requirement

A garage sub-panel feed always requires an electrical permit from the City of Calgary (or your municipality if you're in Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, etc.). The permit covers the trench depth, conduit type, wire sizing, sub-panel installation, and grounding. A Safety Codes Officer will inspect before the trench is backfilled — do not cover the underground run until it has been inspected. This is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make when managing a garage project.

A 60A sub-panel is the minimum worth installing for a modern garage (lights, outlets, possibly a welder or EV charger). Many Calgary homeowners are now running 100A feeds to support a Level 2 EV charger (40–50A dedicated circuit) alongside workshop tools and heating. The cost for a complete detached garage electrical feed and sub-panel typically runs $2,500–$5,500 depending on trench length, panel size, and whether any main panel upgrades are needed.

Need help finding a licensed electrician to quote your garage project? Calgary Electrical Services can match you for free — or browse electrical professionals through the Calgary Construction Network directory at calgaryconstructionnetwork.com/directory?trade=electrical.