putting a panel in the barn

[linear]

I'm looking for input on a DIY electrical project I need to get done pretty soon.

The basic outline is:
1) we're building a barn and I need to provide power, which I planned to do by installing a subpanel in my basement at the spot where I want to exit the house with the line running to the barn.
2) I want the subpanel to also power my shop which will be in that end of the basement--nothing huge, just a few shop tools that I'll use one at a time, but I like the improved safety of having the breakers closer to the load.
3) I plan to rent a trencher and bury the line to the barn in conduit since hte conduit won't add that much to the cost of doing this.

So I have a few questions. I understand the electrical side of this pretty well, but I need calrification on a couple of the mechanical aspects of it, namely:

a) what's the right depth to bury the conduit, i.e. how deep do I need to trench?
b) what's the best place to exit the house? I figured to drill through the rim joist.
c) how do you put the necessary bends in that conduit? I was planning to use the pvc stuff.

Thanks for your time, I'll probably have a couple followup questions too.

[Rich]

In most places code is 18" and deeper.
Rim joist is fine as long as the line goes directly into the trench from there and is well protected - with conduit you shouldn't have any trouble.
PVC - use 90 sweeps and long elbows. Metal conduit - rent a pipe bender.

[Rich]

I should add - talk to your local building department or go on their website. Typically they will have that stuff in a pamphlet or brochure.

[mjpliv]

A few more notes -

Where the conduit enters the house use an LB fitting (it has a removable weatherproof cover) and the same where the conduit enters the barn (you will see why when you go to pull the conductors through the conduit :D ).

At one end (minimum - both if you want) use an expansion joint to accomodate any ground movement.

Bury a separate conduit for low voltage lines like security or telephone.

What ever depth you bury them at, place some brightly colored warning tape half way between the conduit and the surface.

Like Rick said, use only sweeps (wide radius fittings).

Use a primmer with the PVC glues. It does make a better joint.

[bkrahmer]

This is a bit late, but I had a thought after talking to the engineer from the power company that I met with last week on our site. He suggested not having a run over 200' from the transformer to the panel, assuming 4/4/2 cable. If you're going in serial out to your barn, and your original cable isn't optimal, you may have excessive voltage drop.