Direct burial of well wire?

[crbr]

Good advice.... :thumbsup:

 

[adjusterr]

If you have a friendly plumber, check with him, they are always replacing black plastic well pump lines and have to get rid of the old lines. I picked up a roll of used line free and use it to protect any buried electric lines. It's easy to work with, cuts with a hacksaw. I always seal the ends of the pipe after installing the wire, using expanding foam, to keep knawing critters out. Be sure to install marker posts at intervals so 10 years from now you know where the line actually is. Someone posted to bury the line below the freeze level, I can't imagine why that is necessary, as long as the line is deep enough to protect against accidental contact with mowers etc., 15", you should be OK.

 

[Cap-n-Cray]

One thing you can also do and is required in some instances, bury a red plastic electric warning ribbon about halfway the depth of the trench. Cheap reminder if someone ever digs for something else. Like a plant.

 

[wrooster]

Someone posted to bury the line below the freeze level, I can't imagine why that is necessary, as long as the line is deep enough to protect against accidental contact with mowers etc., 15", you should be OK.

:confused2:

Yeah, for these types of underground wiring applications there are no codes or anything like that which are based on years and years of industry practice and experiential study.

None at all.


Wrooster

 

[wrooster]

One thing you can also do and is required in some instances, bury a red plastic electric warning ribbon about halfway the depth of the trench.

I know that this is code for a feeder from the utility. However, I'm not sure if it is code for a subfeed to a detached structure, or for an underground branch circuit to a exterior load such as the OP is pulling. I have to look this up, or perhaps one of the electricians can cite the related NEC section.

The primary reason for the requirement to bury a warning ribbon above the PoCo utility feed is that the feed is -- for all intents and purposes -- unfused, and will supply hundreds of amps forever, or until the short self-clears.

Clicky, sort of related...
Transformer fire - YouTube

Wrooster

 

[brokenknee]

If you use UF, make sure you make a "frost loop" at the end of each run. Basically you just loop the wire were it would come out of the ground on each end, this will allow for frost heave without putting to much stress on your wire.

 

[grsthegreat]

Some people should not be allowed in a home improvement store. I knew the house needed work when I purchase it, but it would have been easier if the previous owner had left everything alone.

I like this idea. It can be a little computer that you have to access before you enter the store. It asks 12 questions and if you score less than 80%, the doors wont open and it spits out a printout of local contractors in your area:laughing:

 

[brokenknee]

The code issues have already been addressed, 24" for UF 18" for conduit. Not sure if the ribbon is code for a feed or not. I would put it in, it is cheap.

Do not use water pipe (used or new) to run your wires in. As pointed out electrical conduit is cheap, use the right product.

Do it right, you'll be glad you did in the long run.

My current house is an electrician's nightmare, hot wires not capped off in the wall, splices made that are not in a box, electrical outlet right next to the tub. The list goes on.

I have been fixing the issues room by room, but I have to say the person that owned this house before me was a complete moron. Some people should not be allowed in a home improvement store. I knew the house needed work when I purchase it, but it would have been easier if the previous owner had left everything alone.

 

[brokenknee]

I like this idea. It can be a little computer that you have to access before you enter the store. It asks 12 questions and if you score less than 80%, the doors wont open and it spits out a printout of local contractors in your area:laughing:

GREAT IDEA. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

If you are wondering how the quote came before the post, I accidental deleted the post when I went to edit it. Used the back button and was able to re post it.