Exterior Sump Wiring

[hausdok]

Hi All,

Here's one for the brethren. These photos were sent to me by an acquaintance who had a home inspection while I was out of town last week. They are concerned about the way an exterior sump pump is wired but the builder's electrician says it's OK.

Conduit extends into the ground and ends and then the cable goes to the junction box. From the junction box, a heavy utility cable goes to the sump pump.

I can't tell whether the bottom of the conduit is sealed around the wire but it looks like those are compression type sealing fittings on either end of that junction box that are supposed to keep water out. I can't tell if it's UF cable but it doesn't look like typical NM so I'm thinking it might be UF cable.

My conclusion; if the conduit goes at least 18 inches below grade, if that's UF cable, if the end of the conduit is sealed around the wire, if[b/] the cable is buried at least a foot below grade, if those are water tight connections sealing the wires at either end of that box, if that box is rated for burial below grade, and if the box is watertight, it's fine. However, if any of those rules are violated it is not.

Now, the kicker - apparently that junction box has water in it - so, even if I'm correct and all of those rules have been met, it won't be fine until they fix the leak.

Right or wrong? Let me know - you all know that I'm as weak as Larry, Daryl and Darly when it comes to electrical issues.

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ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[Jim Katen]

I think you've nailed it, except that the cable is supposed to be buried 24" below grade, not a foot.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[hausdok]

Jeez,

I just looked it up. Where in the heck did I get the 12-inches from? I can't even remember - it's been years, but I'm sure I must have read it someplace that I thought was credible - I'm just not that strong on electrical. Oh well.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[hausdok]

I got it,

Table E37013 Column 4 - I should have paid better attention to the rest of the table.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike