I seem to havehit a nerve ....
"Use underwater splice kits." Maybe that's the source of confusion. Ithought that's what I was saying; I recall mentioning various waterproof shrink-tubing, etc.
Are we restricting the term 'flying splice' to describe individual conductors, unsupported, with simple wire nuts? Then, Iagree, and have never suggested that as the method.
On the other hand, what if by 'flying' I mean the splice is in the cable, within the pit, and uses a UL-listed splicing assembly exactly as intended? Where's the code violation - let alone this completely unwarranted assumption that I either have contempt for the NEC or
a cavalier attitude? I think an apology is due.
Now,for the floats, a different element enters the discussion:low voltage. I submit that when you use practices that are well established (waterproof shrink tubes, crimp connectors, self-fusing tape, etc.) you're meeting code. Nor does the NEC require low voltage splices to be in a box.
As for the completely uncalled-for 'life is harsh' comment .... one of the problems with having a box in the pit is that it will - by design of the pit itself - obstruct the access cover. There simply isn't room. This is one reason that so many pits have the cords pass through a length of pipe to an adjacent in-the-ground box. This is why my original answer addressed the topic from several approaches.
Indeed, given my choice (and returning to the OP), I would prefer a BIG ...way-oversized by NEC rules for wire fill ... PAIR of pipes from the pittoan adjacent box, with no attempt made to seal, just designed to drain. Any arrangement that includes a box IN the pit is a bad design. Yet, there is no code rule against such foolishness.
Yet, therin lies the problem. All manner of pious souls will point to the 'wet location' Bell box and code-sized pipe, and assert that 'it meets code, so it must be good.' Such a view is contradicted by my observations.
Regarding boxes in pits, that somehow manage to keep the wires dry, another memory just popped up: insulation colors. For whatever reason, wire insulation loses its' color in even the best-constructed pits. Exactly what gas causes this, I don't know; I do know that it's often impossible (even by cutting back the insulation a little) to tell a black wire from a white or green one. "Ringing the wires out" is almost routine.
I discussed receptacles in pits for two reasons. The first is: they exist. Less obvious is that you are rarely in any position to determine whether the water pumped is 'gray water' or 'black water,' or if the flow is large enough for classifiedlocation rules to apply. I ignored that aspect as, IMO, outside the scope of this thread.
