Q&A for How to Install Outdoor Electric Wiring

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How do you connect a conduit to a box?

James Hornof
Master Electrician
James Hornof is a Master Electrician and the Owner and President of B & W Electric based in Denver, Colorado. With over two decades of experience in the electrical construction industry, James specializes in field installation, management, estimating, and design. He graduated top of his class in electrical trade school and studied Business Management at The Community College of Denver. James holds a Master Electrician license in Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas.

James Hornof

Master Electrician

Expert Answer

Make sure to secure the conduit within 3 feet of where it connects to the box. Then, every 10 ft (3.04 m) after that, secure the conduit within 3 ft (0.91 m) of every coupling.

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Question

What kind of conduit should I use for floodlights on the side of the house?

Community Answer

If it's outdoors, you can use EMT tubing with "rain-tight" fittings - do not use set-screw (concrete tight) fittings. If it's underground, then you should use PVC. There are also waterproof flexible metal conduits with vinyl/PVC cover that are the best for wet areas.

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Question

My house is built on piers. It is open air under the ground floor. The joists are about three feet above grade. I need to run a wire under the floor and will put it through holes in the joist. The wire will not be exposed to sun or rain. Can I use Romex or do I need direct burial cable?

Steve

Top Answerer

NM cable (aka "Romex") could probably be used without any issue, but UF cable can go anywhere NM can -- and more. The safer bet is to use UF, or ask your inspector what he'd like to see in this situation.

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Question

How do I run a cable from my house to a building approximately 10 meters away so I can have power for an outdoor fish pond?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

You may run the cable underground or overhead, as described in the article above.

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Question

Do I have to have a conduit for outdoor wiring?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

Not all outdoor wiring requires a conduit. However, conduit may offer some advantages, as mentioned in the article above. Many regulations permit direct burial of a suitable cable in a proper trench without conduit, or using an overhead cable.

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Question

Is encased wiring to an outer garden building allowed to lie on the ground along a boundary fence?

Community Answer

No. Wiring in conduit MUST be supported or buried. The conduit may be any approved method - but the easiest for most people is Schedule 40 PVC. Mount the conduit to the fence with clips / straps made for the type of conduit you're installing every 5 feet (and 1 foot from the pipe's ends) at a convenient height or dig a trench for the pipes below the frost line.

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Question

How could I install a new electric box outside the house for new floodlights on the front of the house?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

Find a convenient location inside the house for taking the wires from an existing circuit through the outside wall, whether it's in the attic, basement or at the top or bottom of an existing interior wall. Drill a hole for the cable and attach an exterior-rated junction box on the outside end of hole. Either attach your lighting to that box or run conduit or UF cable to another exterior-rated box at the desired location. Add a switch to the circuit inside the house to control the outside floodlights.

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Question

I'm replacing an above-ground power line from my house to a workshop. How high must the new pole be over the yard/roof to be safe. Should I use conduit to protect from weather? Should I support midway?

Garrie Nassau

Community Answer

According to the US National Electrical Code, all types of overhead cables need to be at least 8 feet above the ground and 3 feet in all directions at the edges. It is better to use weather-resistant cables if they are going to be outside.

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Question

I need to connect a cable to a robot lawn mower. What type of insulation should I use? The output of the transformer is 28 volts, and the cable needs to go through a concrete wall.

Garrie Nassau

Community Answer

A good option is PVC insulation, because it is durable and can withstand heat and moisture. Another option is rubber insulation, which is also tough and can handle different environmental factors. You have to choose a cable with the right gauge size so that it can handle the power required by your lawn mower.

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