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For the electrical experts...
denmarc:
I became the happy recipient of 3 pieces of #8 AWG stranded wire. Each approx. 100 feet long. The wire had been removed from conduit used in an indoor industrial machine application. The wire is in great shape.
My TT is powered by battery bank and genny. The genny is in my shed about 60' away. With the genny is use, I haul out a #10 2/1 cable to power up the TT with 120VAC. Genny is Earth grounded via 8' grounding rod as well as TT.
I would love to bury this service line to the TT. I also have adequate length of hose used for residential underground irrigation systems. I was wondering if burying the #8 in this hose, using hard PVC and WeatherPac connections for above ground hook up, would be a good/practical/safe idea? I'm thinking of hardwiring into the TT. But plugging in the existing 30A RV line into a weatherproof receptacle is not out of the question.
Thoughts?
SeilerBird:
If you are going to bury a pipe in the ground to carry electricity it has to be at least PVC schedule 40. The pipe has to be at least 18 inches underground. The wire has to have a specific type of insulation. The terminations should all meet the code also. The National Electrical Code has a number of rules you must follow in order for your installation to be legal. Remember, if you ignore the code and do it your own way you are dramatically increasing your risk of fire.
Water Dog:
I agree with Tom, I wouldn't put electrical of any kind in an irrigation hose. It wouldn't be to code, there is a possibility it could be severed while digging, and it could be mistaken by others for something that it's not. PVC conduit is inexpensive and would make a much better installation. You would only need 3/4" PVC for 3 #8's if it is TW or THHN (highly probable if it came out of conduit). That would also make it easier to terminate on the ends as fittings would match. I think I would use a 30 amp outlet in a weather proof box/cover as an easy means of disconnecting, especially if you already have an intact shore power cord.
denmarc:
zzyzx,
I truly respect what you are saying. I figured on the schedule 40 PVC, no problem. Terminations would be to code.
I do consider myself a little better than novice (literally speaking) when it comes to wiring. I have done a bit of it over the years. I am well aware of the NEC. BUT, in no way am I any better than that! Hence the questions.
Would the schedule 40 survive the ground freeze at only 18"? At the stickhouse, I have a detached garage and the 120VAC line to it from the house is just buried cable. No PVC. Seems the ground heave would crack the PVC or the joints and allow moisture. The question about pulling the #8 through the irrigation tubing was based on the tubing being guaranteed for like 50 years and seamless. It would withstand ground heave during Winter. Just like it does in my underground irrigation system at the homested.
Also, is the #8 OK to use in this situation?
Water Dog,
I believe the #8 is THHN. The wire is over 50 miles away right now so I can't run out and look. It sounds like the irrigation tubing is a bad idea. I can deal with that.
And the RV shore power cord is intact. It's just a PITA to push back into storage. That is why I was considering the hardwire approach.
skyking1:
18" with glued joints, you would be fine. It takes a little art, but I have pulled runs stick-by-stick and was able to save a hard pull.
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