"HK" wrote in message
...
Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...

I have an exciting day: my wife wants to buy a "fountain" for the
garden, to take advantage of the fact that I have an electrician coming
next week to do some wiring for my kitchenette. I think she thinks I am
more than willing to dig the 50' long, two foot deep trench it will take
to bury the wire. Right. First thing, I'll call the rental store for a
Ditch Witch.

Outdoor "house voltage" wiring is a mystery to me. Can it be tapped off
an existing outdoor plug, or will it have to go to the panel?

I will get to the Greek festival this weekend. Dammit.



Sorta depends on how much power the fountain pump requires. Is it 120v or
220v?
Around here, the "ditch" is supposed to be 18" deep minimum.

If it's a light duty, 120v pump only drawing a few amps, I'd use direct
burial wire, #10 (due to the length) and tie it through an outdoor switch
or timer to a GFI protected outlet.

Eisboch


Ahh...direct burial wire...that's what she can use to tie up my casket
after I dig the ditch! 18" sure ought to work here, since our freeze is a
lot less than your freeze. I have an exterior GFI outlet...is it safe to
assume an electrician can wire an outdoor timer to it? As you might guess,
I don't "do" electricity.

Yes. But then again, that's me. The electrician might have other thoughts
or be more knowledgeable regarding your local codes. I have a good
understanding of electrical issues, but don't always follow "code"
precisely.

Eisboch

"HK" wrote in message
...

18" sure ought to work here, since our freeze is a lot less than your
freeze.

Nothing to do with freeze depths. It's to avoid driving a horseshoe stake
into the wire.

Eisboch

Code varys wildly with locality as to the accepted depth so find out before
you dig. Many allow a shallower depth if you put wire in that gray plastic
conduit.

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"HK" wrote in message
...

18" sure ought to work here, since our freeze is a lot less than your
freeze.

Nothing to do with freeze depths. It's to avoid driving a horseshoe stake
into the wire.

Eisboch