EMT or PVC at well cap

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nmdave

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I was preparing to bury the wire from the well cap to the pump controller and was planning to use EMT from the cap to depth. I figured PVC wasn't suitable for exposure to direct sun (and it's strong in New Mexico). One of my buddies who has worked in the same county told be he tried the same thing and the inspector made him replace the EMT with PVC. Am I missing something, or is the inspector out of whack?
 
Re: EMT or PVC at well cap

I would contact the AHJ or the inspector to get their exact ruling on the issue.

The only issues I can think of are possibly bonding issues?
 
Re: EMT or PVC at well cap

What material is the exposed well casing? PVC or steel? Around here, most well casing is PVC but there are still a few rigs driving steel. If it's PVC I usually use sched 80 PVC conduit for the sleeve for the pump wires. If it's steel, I use a piece of rigid.
 
Re: EMT or PVC at well cap

The well-casing is PVC, though the first hundred feet are cased in steel (the hole was collapsing on the drill). The steel is cut off four feet below the ground to install the pitless adapter. Not quite sure how that related to electrical safety.

I'm planning to use UF cable, so the PVC will only run a short distance - it won't serve to bond to anything else.

While asking the inspector what he wants is always good advice, it seems to me that UV degradation of the PVC should be the determining factor.
 
Re: EMT or PVC at well cap

EMT has to have protection from corrosion to be installed in contact with Earth


358.10 Uses Permitted.

(B) Corrosion Protection . Ferrous or nonferrous EMT, elbows, couplings, and fittings shall be permitted to be installed in concrete, in direct contact with the earth, or in areas subject to severe corrosive influences where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the condition.
Click to expand...
The galvanize coating on EMT by it's self will not provide this protection.

Most of all the PVC we use says right on it sunlight resistant.
 
Re: EMT or PVC at well cap

thanks, guys. I checked a bit more on the PVC and indeed it has UV inhibitors just as hurk27 says. So, PVC it will be.
 
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