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Started By
Message
Running electricity to my shed
Posted on 7/11/18 at 10:27 am
Posted on 7/11/18 at 10:27 am
So I just bought a house and there is a shed in the backyard that I want to run electricity to so I can put in a light and a couple of outlets.
In my backyard, there is an outlet in the middle of the yard sticking up on a wooden 4x4. I think it used to power a fountain but the fountain is no longer there.
My dad knows how to run the electricity but he wants to split it off from the outlet in the yard but then I’d be stuck with an outlet in the middle of my yard forever.
My question: is there anyway (besides digging up the lines) to figure out where the electrical wires are buried in the yard so that we could run it from a point closer to the shed and get rid of the outlet in my yard all together?
In my backyard, there is an outlet in the middle of the yard sticking up on a wooden 4x4. I think it used to power a fountain but the fountain is no longer there.
My dad knows how to run the electricity but he wants to split it off from the outlet in the yard but then I’d be stuck with an outlet in the middle of my yard forever.
My question: is there anyway (besides digging up the lines) to figure out where the electrical wires are buried in the yard so that we could run it from a point closer to the shed and get rid of the outlet in my yard all together?
This post was edited on 7/11/18 at 10:28 am
10
Posted on 7/11/18 at 10:38 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
My question: is there anyway (besides digging up the lines) to figure out where the electrical wires are buried in the yard so that we could run it from a point closer to the shed and get rid of the outlet in my yard all together?
To be exact, no there isn't (that I'm aware of).
quote:
My dad knows how to run the electricity but he wants to split it off from the outlet in the yard but then I’d be stuck with an outlet in the middle of my yard forever
You can just add additional wire to the existing wire, run it to the shed and then get rid of the outlet or am I missing something?
Posted on 7/11/18 at 10:45 am to Bert Macklin FBI
Just cut off the outlet in the yard, put a junction box in the ground and extend the wiring.
Cover up the junction box with dirt.
Boom, problem solved.
6x6x4 PVC junction boxes at home Depot are like $30.
Cover up the junction box with dirt.
Boom, problem solved.
6x6x4 PVC junction boxes at home Depot are like $30.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 10:51 am to kengel2
quote:
Cover up the junction box with dirt.
This is against code. You need a box similar to an irrigation valve box that is rated for underground electrical splicing
Posted on 7/11/18 at 10:54 am to dfintlyHmmrd
quote:
This is against code.
I'm not saying it isn't, but when local inspectors let it fly who am I to tell them theyre wrong.
ETA: don't have to bury it, just leave it at the surface. Better than looking at the receptacle on a piece of wood.
And the way I understand it, as long as there are no taps in the box it can be buried. OP would have to pull all new wire though. If there is a tap then the lid has to be visible/accessible. If tapping in the box he'd need to use those gel wire nuts or some sort of weatherproof tap as well.
This post was edited on 7/11/18 at 11:05 am
Posted on 7/11/18 at 11:00 am to kengel2
I know, I was just letting him know that it was, people have varying degrees of comfort when it comes to breaking code. I just was making the OP aware that your suggestion wasn't 100% legal. I would probably bury it myself also.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 11:03 am to kengel2
You'll regret that decision when the box leaks and the connections corrode then burn up and start tripping the breaker. It is not hard to run proper conduit and junction boxes with the correct type of wire.
Live wires can be traced but the equipment is expensive and generally outside realm of the DIY'er.
Live wires can be traced but the equipment is expensive and generally outside realm of the DIY'er.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 11:06 am to Clames
quote:
It is not hard to run proper conduit and junction boxes with the correct type of wire.
Sch40 PVC should already be there in the ground and the box I mentioned is a nema 6p box. That is most definitely the correct and proper conduit/box.
This post was edited on 7/11/18 at 11:09 am
Posted on 7/11/18 at 11:08 am to dfintlyHmmrd
quote:
I know, I was just letting him know that it was, people have varying degrees of comfort when it comes to breaking code. I just was making the OP aware that your suggestion wasn't 100% legal. I would probably bury it myself also.
See my edit, if there aren't any taps it should be perfectly legal.
But I'm following you.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 11:27 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
is there anyway (besides digging up the lines) to figure out where the electrical wires are buried in the yard
Tie the end of the wire to a four wheeler and start driving toward the house
Posted on 7/11/18 at 11:45 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
My question: is there anyway (besides digging up the lines) to figure out where the electrical wires are buried in the yard
A metal detector
Posted on 7/11/18 at 11:51 am to Bert Macklin FBI
Is the existing wire in conduit?
Why not take out the receptacle, remove the vertical stick of conduit. Extend remaining conduit to the shed and pull a whole new wire with no splice from breaker panel to the shed?
Why not take out the receptacle, remove the vertical stick of conduit. Extend remaining conduit to the shed and pull a whole new wire with no splice from breaker panel to the shed?
Posted on 7/11/18 at 11:53 am to upgrade
Why the worry about pipe in the ground? There is plenty of electrical wire that is legal to bury.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 12:03 pm to Kingpenm3
I work in industrial so I guess it’s my mindset.
It could help protect the wire from a simple shovel, but an excavator or ditch witch will eat it.
It could help protect the wire from a simple shovel, but an excavator or ditch witch will eat it.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 12:06 pm to Clames
quote:
Live wires can be traced but the equipment is expensive and generally outside realm of the DIY'er.
We definitely have a different definition of expensive, non contact voltage testers run about 15 bucks at home depot, I am sure Harbor Freight is even cheaper.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 12:09 pm to cave canem
quote:
We definitely have a different definition of expensive, non contact voltage testers run about 15 bucks at home depot, I am sure Harbor Freight is even cheaper.
He’s talking about tracing them underground
Posted on 7/11/18 at 12:22 pm to upgrade
Posted on 7/11/18 at 12:43 pm to Bert Macklin FBI
is that receptacle on its own breaker?
You could run into some issues if its on a circuit with a bunch of other shite... especially if you're using power tools in the shop
You could run into some issues if its on a circuit with a bunch of other shite... especially if you're using power tools in the shop
Posted on 7/11/18 at 12:44 pm to Bert Macklin FBI
Thanks for all the help guys, I know very little about how electricity works so all of your responses were helpful.
I think I’m gonna go the route of burying the pvc box that was mentioned and I’ll probably use the epoxy for weather proofing too.
I think I’m gonna go the route of burying the pvc box that was mentioned and I’ll probably use the epoxy for weather proofing too.
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