Cut underground electrical line question

[woodlot]

Next time consider running conduit and THWN rated wire for underground circuts. THWN is rated for wet locations, and by runnning conduit you can always pull new wire if the need arises.

 

[geneP]

I would say that you are lucky that it burned open on you. That moisture is either carrying your voltage to ground through the hot leg and spinning your electrical meter, or has opened the neutral. In my earlier career I worked in the electrical distribution area of the electric utility. Most underground wires were aluminium. If water got to the aluminum it would turn to boxite and not conduct electricity. When we would dig up the fault the ground would be hot and steaming. The advice to put the wire in conduit is valid, and don't put any spices underground of you can avoid it.

 

[gmason]

to fix a couple of points here... the builder put the line in the ground and not me originally. I would have put it much deeper yes.

I haven't trenched for a new line as yet, so all of your advice has been very helpful

thanks
gary

 

[coobie]

to fix a couple of points here... the builder put the line in the ground and not me originally. I would have put it much deeper yes.

I haven't trenched for a new line as yet, so all of your advice has been very helpful

thanks
gary

I am a electric lineman and have been for 30 years.I have worked on faults in underground wire many times.IMHO I would lay new wire in conduit verses trying to repair the old wire as it will proable fault again.I layed some new wire from my barn out to a new light pole,you would be amazed how well a 1 bottom plow works for plowing a trench.coobie.

 

[Redbug]

I am with Coobie on this one. If you are going through all that effort, just do it right...and put new wire in conduit! And it's also a good idea to leave a run of extra cable cord inside the conduit with your wire. Then, in the future, you have the option and ability to be able to pull another wire out to the alarm if you ever have a need to for whatever reason.

When I bought my house, the wire to my well was buried using the direct burial method without conduit. I had to replace it for the same reasons as you. I ran new cable inside of conduit. All it takes is a nick somewhere along the cable run when it is directly buried to mess up the cable. Water will wick inside causing corrosion and after several years it will have to be replaced.

I imagine the earthworms will finally come back home!

 

[shaley]

Is this a pump tank alarm or a ATU alarm. Can you find a name plate on the alarm panel. You need to start by testing the float switch first. Make sure that is still working. There should be a J box inside the pump tank. Give us more info.