Electrical Question

[huskyrider]

3" is NOT deep enough, code wise or saftey wise and you did say kids were involved right? I would also put the wire in conduit (PVC) also for safety reasons. Think of it this way...what cost more? renting a ditcher that will dig rock or having a small child or anyone for that matter getting hurt all because you didnt want to rent the equipment to do it right?

I COMPLETELY agree with this.

I don't just apply this to underground near pools or ponds, I do it to all underground installations.

I've never ran, and never will run, UF Romex underground without placing it in conduit. The only wire I'll ever run without conduit is low voltage lamp wiring.

You could easily take a flat head shovel and waller your little trench wide enough for some 1/2" A&U (Grey sch 40 above and underground) electrical conduit without impacting the yard.

The risk of your install may seem slight but it isn't. I've hit more unprotected underground wire, with a shovel, in a lifetime of building pools than you could ever imagine. It always seems to be that the current homeowner had no idea where the electrical devices outdoors wiring laid in the yard.
Your friend may know where the energized wire is today, but I'm sure that they won't be telling the new buyer of the property at the title company during closing the sale to a new owner.


just my .02

see ya,
Kelly

[CliffTex]

Thanks for all the input! Looks like I have a spring project coming up...

[Steamer]

If you are going to go with 10 or even 12 gauge wire I would recommend using at least 3/4 inch PVC conduit, I just finished pulling 10 gauge wire through 1/2 inch PVC and it was a royal pain.