Wiring to Driveway Post Light

[dcsva@aol.com]

Currently installed,
120vac
3-#12UF Cable with ground.
Exits the brick foundation of the house about 4" above the ground into a PVC LB. Leaves the LB in PVC Sched.40 conduit straight down and then 90deg elbow at 12" below grade for 15ft to the light post.
1. Is this okay?
2. Presently, the black wire is switched and the red wire is not being utilized, is it appropriate to make the red wire the switched hot to the light post and make the black wire always hot from the same circuit (not switched) so that I can power a spot light with a motion detector?

 

[hbiss]

Re: Wiring to Driveway Post Light

Other than the fact that the NMC needs to be either 18" deep or is OK at 12" if protected by a GFCI.
Otherwise there should be no problem using the red as the switchleg and the black as the hot as you suggest.

 

[iwire]

Re: Wiring to Driveway Post Light

As hbiss has said a Residential Branch Circuit Rated 120 Volts or Less with GFCI Protection and Maximum Overcurrent Protection of 20 Amperes can be as shallow as 12"(Column 4 Table 300.5)

But if there is no GFCI protection a direct buried cable will need to be 24" deep. (Column 1 Direct Burial Cables or Conductors Table 300.5) Or PVC will need to be 18" deep. (Column 3 Nonmetallic Raceways Listed for Direct Burial Table 300.5)

So if there is not a GFCI feeding this circuit you should put one in.

[ October 27, 2003, 05:00 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]

 

[pierre]

Re: Wiring to Driveway Post Light

What are your thoughts as to 300.5(J)Ground Movement.

In the areas of frost heave, would an expansion fitting or other method be necessary?

Pierre

 

[hillbilly]

Re: Wiring to Driveway Post Light

You could cover the PVC Conduit with 2"+ of concrete and be OK at 12" depth. That's only a few bags of Sackrete.
steve

 

[dcsva@aol.com]

Re: Wiring to Driveway Post Light

hillbilly,
Yes, I can dig the trench back out and cover the conduit with Sakcrete as you suggest, shouldn't take too long. I have not checked to see if this circuit is on a GFI, but will do so this evening.
Is the Sakcrete (2"+ of cover) an alternate to the need for GFI....Or should I do both?

 

[earlydean]

Re: Wiring to Driveway Post Light

Either concrete or GFCI would do it. But, back to the ground movement. They are refering to the up and down movement of frost heave. If you rise at the building without a slip fitting, then frost heave could separate or destroy the PVC conduit at the connection to the house. If your PVC is below the frost line, then no frost heave will affect the horizontal section and you will be safe.

 

[dcsva@aol.com]

Re: Wiring to Driveway Post Light

Earl and Pierre,
Thank you about the info on the "Slip Fitting".
I'll look into that as well.

[ October 27, 2003, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: dcsva@aol.com ]