Outdoor wiring type

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jimmy_mcquade

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Hi all,

dad'a birthday is comming up and i have heard him talk about replacing an
outdoor wire to his water pump.

its 220 volts, 30 amps, so i know its a #10 wire.
the trouble is, not only does the wire run from the circuit box in the house, it also goes to his well shed which is about 20 ft from his house and is exposed to the weather and sunlight.

i know it has to be outdoor rated wire, but what type do i need and where are the wire types listed in the '05 codebook (its the only one i have).

i want to suprise dad by buying what he needs and helping him replace wire.

thanks in advance,
jimmy
 
I'd guess UG, since the existing is 'on the ground'.

Many cable manufacturers make a special assembly just for well pumps.

wellpumpwire1.gif



wellpumpwire2.gif
 
Well pump - outdoor run. I would think you could use 10-2 UF. What's the advantage to the extra conductor in that spool picture? (looks like a 4 conductor) And is that stuff UL listed for direct burial, or would that be in conduit? Never really seen twisted group of #10's like that before, if they are #10's.
 
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Kdawg67 said:
Well pump - outdoor run. I would think you could use 10-2 UF. What's the advantage to the extra conductor in that spool picture? (looks like a 4 conductor) And is that stuff UL listed for direct burial, or would that be in conduit?
Click to expand...

They make 2- and 3- conductor.:wink:

It's direct burial and submersible. And it's mostly 10 commonly available. 12 through 6 is made, but hard to find in stock. Plumbing supply houses are the best bet.
 
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Kdawg67 said:
Well pump - outdoor run. I would think you could use 10-2 UF. What's the advantage to the extra conductor in that spool picture? (looks like a 4 conductor) And is that stuff UL listed for direct burial, or would that be in conduit? Never really seen twisted group of #10's like that before, if they are #10's.
Click to expand...

The wire pictured is meant to be used between the pump controller and the well pump itself.

10-2 UF would be fine between the panel and the well pump controller.

Chris
 
Its easier if we run it the same way it is now.

from the house breaker box, we will run to the corner of the house and through the wall.
there is an outdoor porcline bracket that we will use to support the wire.

from there, we will go overhead and to the electrical pole at the well shed.
we then will go into the well shed and into the disconnect box.

this is a #10 gage wire, 2 wires plus ground cable.

thanks again,
jimmy
 
jimmy_mcquade said:
Its easier if we run it the same way it is now.

from the house breaker box, we will run to the corner of the house and through the wall.
there is an outdoor porcline bracket that we will use to support the wire.

from there, we will go overhead and to the electrical pole at the well shed.
we then will go into the well shed and into the disconnect box.

this is a #10 gage wire, 2 wires plus ground cable.

thanks again,
jimmy
Click to expand...

If it's overhead, you got to maintain overhead clearance. The few times I have done overhead wiring was using triplexed AL to a detached garage. UF cable wouldn't fly if ran overhead. See 225.6 & 225.18.
I would think you would have to maintain 12' clearance above ground, and it can't be more than 50' w/o a messenger wire.
 
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Kdawg67 said:
If it's overhead, you got to maintain overhead clearance. The few times I have done overhead wiring was using triplexed AL to a detached garage. UF cable wouldn't fly if ran overhead. See 225.6 & 225.18.
I would think you would have to maintain 12' clearance above ground, and it can't be more than 50' w/o a messenger wire.
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Why won't UF work (fly) if run overhead?

I would probably install a messenger wire to support it, if I was doing the job.

steve
 
Kdawg67 said:
Well pump - outdoor run. I would think you could use 10-2 UF. What's the advantage to the extra conductor in that spool picture? (looks like a 4 conductor) And is that stuff UL listed for direct burial, or would that be in conduit? Never really seen twisted group of #10's like that before, if they are #10's.
Click to expand...
the fourth wire is for starting capacitance only, the pump controller will open this wire after the pump starts.
 
I think the requirement for securing & supporting UF cable would be a tricky one. Most of the UF cable I've seen is sunlight resistant, so that should be okay. Just wondering how you would support the cable off of a messenger wire. Never seen it done.
 
that's one of my concerns.

we will be maintaining the necessary height requirements, but how can you tell if the UF-B cable is rated for direct sunlight?

also, can this cable be installed outside under the roof for lighting a carport?

regards,
jimmy

ps. thank you all. i'm still learning and this site helps a lot !
 
jimmy_mcquade said:
that's one of my concerns.

we will be maintaining the necessary height requirements, but how can you tell if the UF-B cable is rated for direct sunlight?
Click to expand...

The cable you use should be rated as sunlight resistant.
Most, if not all UF-B (that I've seen) has this rating.


also, can this cable be installed outside under the roof for lighting a carport?
Click to expand...


If it's not "exposed to physical damage" it can.

Read Article 340 and 396 in the NEC.

steve
 
I'm still not seeing how you would secure / support this cable if ran overhead. Our AHJ would not let you fly UF-B overhead even if it were ran with a messenger wire. He would make you use a triplex.
 
Kdawg67 said:
I'm still not seeing how you would secure / support this cable if ran overhead. Our AHJ would not let you fly UF-B overhead even if it were ran with a messenger wire. He would make you use a triplex.
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You would have to use a messenger wire and support the UF to the wire.
 
I don't want to call you a DIYer but ( Occupation :electricians helper ) I would suggest getting help from your employer, I know that I would help my guys out free of charge in this situation, and it could only act as an added layer of protection for all.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
You would have to use a messenger wire and support the UF to the wire.
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Not to get on anyone's nerves here, but I'm still unsure HOW this is accomplished. I guess that's my main question - do you use tie wraps in this instance or do they make a cable strap that is used with a messenger wire? Haven't ran across this yet, but I always like to know all my options out there. I know our AHJ is very particular in regards to what you would use to meet code. (IMO & probably his, tie wraps wouldn't cut it).
 
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