Running Electrical Wire Outside Underground

Dragging extension cords across the yard to power the weed whip fumbling around in a dark shed most of us take these hassles for.

Running electrical wire outside underground.

There are several different methods for safely running the underground wiring but the 12 in. Wiring buried inside rigid metal rmc or intermediate metal imc conduit must have at least 6 inches of earth cover. With an enormous amount of pvc sizes and fittings you can run electrical wire outside and up a tree should you choose to. Underground wire for a residential circuit usually is installed with underground feeder uf cable which is rated for outdoor use and direct burial such an installation is typical when running a circuit to an outdoor location such as a garage shed or other outbuilding or to a yard light or water feature.

Deep pvc conduit method we show is about the easiest and most practical for running a typical 15 amp line. Go outside and lay the cable into the trench running it all the way to the garage. Type uf cable is the most commonly used nonmetallic cable for residential outdoor wiring runs. At the garage repeat steps 3 through 7 to install the plastic conduit and cable.

The ground and neutral wires attach to their respective terminals and one hot wire connects to each bus bar. We show the easiest way using rigid conduit. Wiring in pvc conduit must have at least. Uf cable can be direct buried without conduit with a minimum of 24 inches of earth cover.

Breakers and a surge suppressor are installed in the subpanel and the shed is wired using typical interior wiring techniques. From inside the basement pull the cable all the way to the main electrical panel. Run electrical wires underground to reach sheds lights patios and other locations following safe wiring practices. A separate ground rod is driven into the earth outside the shed and the ground terminals connect to it.

Schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride pvc conduit for electricity is gray and is rated for sunlight resistance.