How to hide the cord?

[al hildenbrand]

I've got a landscaper that is hot to install a fountain outdoors in a yard that looks like the fountain shown in the photo.

The pump is inside a sump well that is a heavy plastic with a removable lid. The sump well is about 18" across and 24" deep. The stone "fingers" are about 4" long, 1" wide, and 2-3" up and down, laid in concentric rings, and about 3 feet overall in diameter.

The pump is 120 volt with a 16 foot cord. I suggested laying the cord in a slot between the stone fingers. The landscaper, of course, doesn't want to see the cord or a slot at all.

400.8 has me stumped.

Any creative, compliant solutions? ?

Al

 

[hbiss]

Re: How to hide the cord?

Only thing I can think of is burying a length of 4" PVC from the pump to the mulched area. Slide the cord through that. Install a GFI receptacle with an in- use cover and use plantings to hide it.

400.8(6) would seem to prohibit this but I think that 4" conduit in this case could be considered a chase since the cord with plug can be easily slid through or removed to facilitate pump replacement or service and inspection of the cord. Certainly safer than laying the cord between the rocks where sharp edges could damage it.

-Hal