Anybody run power cable above ground in conduit?

[Streetcar]

Another reason for no conduit above ground, most conduit is not rated for UV continuous exposure. The span between supports can get brittle and break

 

[aczlan]

Another reason for no conduit above ground, most conduit is not rated for UV continuous exposure. The span between supports can get brittle and break

Per the plant electrician at work gray PVC conduit is rated for continuous UV exposure but it has to be supported it at least every four feet, if you doing that you may as well just bury it because it'll be a pain trying to get that through the woods.
Yes I know that 1 inch PVC conduit wouldn't be big enough for what the original poster wants to do, I was just giving an example of what I did recently.

Aaron Z

 

[coralhead]

When I put in the #8 wire for my camper, the run under ground was only about 100 feet but I knew I wouldn't be able to pull the stiff cable thru the conduit so I dug the trench, the slid each PVC section of pipe over the cable individually to then glue it to the mating one. It took a little time to slide each section of pipe over the entire wire run but when the 90 ell at the end came up, I only had a short section to go and the 90 was easy to run the cable thru for the 4 feet of cable that I had left to go.
I think this approach for your conduit might work also and no need for cable lube especially if you use 10 foot joints of conduit.

Same as above. I had a similar situation putting wire in conduit while installing a power line in the Bahamas. There is no trenching there due to the limestone coral that makes up much of the ground. I ran the cable first then slid each section on and glued as I went along.

 

[joecoin]

Solar panel with batteries for lighting, generator for 120 AC when needed.

 

[RNeumann]

With regards to conduit size code actually requires you do a calculation. They specify the wire type as well.....OPs direct bury probably wouldn't be allowed. To determine conduit fill, google "conduit fill calculator." They also have free apps for your phone.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I'll offer a prediction or two:

1. If you lay that conduit on top of the ground, you will be creating a Casablanca moment for yourself. "you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life."
2. If you size it only for what you are using now instead of going big enough to power a full shop, well.... see #1.

Keep that extension cord as an extension cord, rent a serious trencher, and do this right.

 

[wngsprd]

If you need a hand, I'll be glad to drive down...I have a similar project in mind to run conduit to my barn and would see this as a learning experience.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Two things. I would look into using a horizontal drill to just go underneath everything that's in your way. It might just work out to very close to the same price as conduit above ground. I don't have experience with this I'm just tossing out an idea. Secondly I would install heavy enough wire so that you can run what ever you want in your barn. Better to be a bit over capacity than cutting your self short on what you can do.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I think you need to talk to your inspector about what he'll allow. If it's OK to run above-ground if it's attached to a "structure," and a fence is a structure, what's a fence? In some places a fence is a single strand of galvanized wire attached to t-posts 40 feet apart. If the inspector insists that the conduit needs to be supported every 4', will he accept a retaining wall as a structure? A retaining wall could be a single length of 4x4 with holes drilled in it and 2' pieces of rebar pounded through the holes into the ground.

If you have to bury, your trench might not have to be that deep. If you use rigid metal conduit you only need 6" burial depth. Will the inspector allow you to pile dirt over the conduit? (The NEC specifies "minimum cover" not depth below grade). A six-inch pile of dirt 250' long is about 60 cubic feet, or ten wheelbarrow loads. Even if you have to go down an honest six inches, that's hand shovel depth. RMC does get pricey in the bigger diameters, and is only going to be practical if it's a very straight shot.

Even PVC only has to be down 18". That's a bit much for hand digging, but there are small trenchers that will get you there. Again, will they let you bring in fill to cover so you don't have to go down so much?

What kind of forest is it? Can you walk a straight line? Is the ground uneven?

 

[RPW]

If all your running is lights and a few light duty tools I'd go solar. I've been running solar at my barn for about 6 years. 80 watts of panels, 2 deep cycle batteries and a 2000 watt inverter. Runs 6 8ft. flouresant lights, fuel pump for diesel and gas, and other light duty tools. I've even run my 10 in. table saw off of it. Not continually but to get small jobs done.