Ground Faults

[Malak]

You know how ponds need to be on ground fault circuits(with good reason)? Well, the problem with that is if it trips and you do not know it you could have a huge issue especially in the Summer with all your bacteria dying in the biofilter. Well, I have a partial solution - I ordered a Power Failure Warning Alarm. That way if someone is home then at least they can turn the power back on. The source of the problem needs to be found of course, but in my case it is more because I cannot get the stupid electrician to show up to quote the job, so I'm still using an extension cord. I may just do it myself.

 

[Pondmaster]

I am a retired industrial electrician and home wiring is not difficult. I can list the supplies you need to do this job yourself and walk you through it. Others that have contemplated doing this would also benefit. Tip: running Romax in conduit is a code violation. I always use MTW (machine tool wire) it's also easier to pull and most codes allow 2 circuits to share the same neutral.

 

[Malak]

I actually do electrical repairs at work, but I wanted everything to be to code at least.
I was already planning on separate wires. Having to dig 24" instead with direct burial seems like more of an effort especially when it will fail eventually. I'm just not familiar with working with the EMT pipe.

 

[Pondmaster]

I actually do electrical repairs at work, but I wanted everything to be to code at least.
I was already planning on separate wires. Having to dig 24" instead with direct burial seems like more of an effort especially when it will fail eventually. I'm just not familiar with working with the EMT pipe.

You would not use EMT instead use the grey PVC that you find in the electrical section, I prefer to use at least 3/4". For an outdoor box you can't beat the products by Midwest Power they are NEMA 4 rated GFI 20 amp receptacles. Check out the PDF link below.

http://www.theovine.com/MET007 Midwest Durable Outdoor Power Outlets Fact Sheet.pdf

 

[Malak]

Yeah, the gray stuff. Got my terminology confused.
Nice boxes, but I need a sizeable box for six diff. plugs and maybe even a timer.
How are you supposed to attach those plain plastic boxes to the gray PVC?
I would also like the light switches like they show for quick maintenance.

 

[Pondmaster]

The "plain" plastic boxes have female pipe thread. If you look around where they sell the grey PVC you will find many different slip to male thread parts such as sweep
90s and such. The Miswest boxes are steel and have knockouts, you would attach the grey pvc thread with a steel conduit nut.

 

[27goldfish]

Here's what I did:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_103392-223-...s_4294821898_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_price|1

http://www.lowes.com/pd_39072-223-U...s_4294821898_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_price|1

And a couple of other things. I'll post pics asap!!!

 

[27goldfish]

http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/blackabbydog/?action=view&current=100_0168.jpg

http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/blackabbydog/?action=view&current=100_0167.jpg


http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/blackabbydog/?action=view&current=100_0165.jpg

http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/blackabbydog/?action=view&current=100_0163.jpg

http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/blackabbydog/?action=view&current=100_0166.jpg

Where the conduit goes into my box, it is 2 45 degrees and sealed with rtv. All electrical plugs were put in with large holes then rtv'd. This is also, obviously, a gfi outlet.

 

[Malak]

Yeah, if you look at the last poster's first link, that is the box I am talking about. No holes or knockouts at all. I always feel wierd buying stuff like that because they know you are illegally doing work yourself when you ask questions. lol I heard they were thinking about a law that if you sell your house and 3 owners later someone get injured because of your non-code work you will be sued. Luckily, I probably won't be around by then. Some of the stuff I do at work is real hairy 220 work in cramped compartments. Sometimes I make them call someone though.

 

[Malak]

Goldfish - you put the box in the ground? Doesn't rain get in there even with the seal? I need easy access to switch things off. The link that Pondmaster posted is the best way to do it because it's shielded from the rain, but can dry out. In my old job I saw how hermetic seals do not work because air always gets in and then condenses and the water builds up because it has no where to drain out.

 

[mrsclem]

I have 2 of the Midwest boxes with switches mounted on a 4x6 post. Also used a 6 outlet covered setup for extra outlets.

 

[Pondmaster]

27 Goldfish is that regular 2 conductor house wire I see coming out of the conduit?

 

[addy1]

Yeah, if you look at the last poster's first link, that is the box I am talking about. No holes or knockouts at all. I always feel wierd buying stuff like that because they know you are illegally doing work yourself when you ask questions. lol I heard they were thinking about a law that if you sell your house and 3 owners later someone get injured because of your non-code work you will be sued. Luckily, I probably won't be around by then. Some of the stuff I do at work is real hairy 220 work in cramped compartments. Sometimes I make them call someone though.

If they do pass that law, it would only affect from that point forward. If you do everything you should concerning electricity hook ups all should be ok. I have run it before, I turn the whole house off. I have a tester that shows if the wires are hot, via a light and a sound. Love that little thing.

 

[27goldfish]

I have personally never had problems with water. I used a lot of rtv though. Yes, its partially buried. The picture of the plug is the ultimate quick disconnect. I have had it that way for about 2 yrs now with no issue. Also, all entry hole are low on the box, and underground. This way the sun doesn't kill the rtv as quickly. It is kinda the same principle of a lamp, as it all just plugs in with one cord. You may check to see if there is even a law about it in your state if you are concerned about it.

It is regular romex, all in conduit into the buried box.

 

[addy1]

We put our lines around 3 feet under ground, dug a deep trench for the water lines, (so they won't freeze) put the electrical in the same trench in the grey pvc. Deep enough you can put in a plant without worrying about hitting them.