Electrical-Running UFB wire

[muddywings]

I'm going to run an electrical line to the back yard so the wife can have a nice fountain for the birdies.
I have a single circuit that runs to outside lamp posts that is accessed through the unfinished basement that I'm going to use.
Plan is to put on a GFCI on that line then run UF-B wire to the back yard, put in a weather proof electrical box and poof, done!
Now that have the trench dug up, I went to Home Depot to grab supplies. I talked with a worker who gave me some info on doing it and I'm kinda wondering how much of it is bs.
My plan was to run the UF-B wire right from the GFCI box, out through an ell/junction box, down 12" and buried per this website:
http://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/wiring/how-to-bury-underground-cable/view-all#step1
The Home Depot rep said at the junction box, I had to de-sheath the UFB wire, and connect into normal NM (indoor wire) also de-sheathed, until it exits the PVC pipe inside the house. This seems kinda derpy to me.

Any advice?


ETA: for those wondering why I'm going through the trouble for a fountain, I already have the trench dug for a sprinkler line for a garden back there. Figured it would look cleaner than an extension cord running along the side of the fence.

[ray1970]

Definitely not my field of expertise, but conduit is cheap. Just saying.

[Irving]

I've also been told that code says no sheath in conduit. Wish I would have known before hand, because it would have made it a heck of a lot easier to pull through.

[SideShow Bob]

Be sure to follow the minimum depth coverage in your trench.

http://www.irrigation.org/uploadedFiles/Certification/National%20Electric%20Code.pdf

And as long as you have a trench opened up, run some 1/2" PVC and use #14 or #12 THWN/THHN( depending on the load & distance ) it will be protected by the conduit in case of future digging over it.

[muddywings]

Definitely not my field of expertise, but conduit is cheap. Just saying.
It will have conduit as it comes out of the house then goes 12" into the ground (plus a 90 degree elbow) It will have the same on the opposite end as it goes up a 4x4 to the weather proof electrical box. But it will just be buried the rest of the way. I'm not powering a shed or anything with high demand so the way I view it, it doesn't need it. (Plus an inch above it will be the sprinkler line)


I've also been told that code says no sheath in conduit. Wish I would have known before hand, because it would have made it a heck of a lot easier to pull through.

yeah, seems odd to me to have no sheath while in conduit, especially since it is only going to be in the conduit for a foot or so as it comes out of the ground and goes into the house. But this confirms a bit what he was saying. Thanks.

Little perplexed on why I can just run the UF-B in the house though and why it has to go to white/NM indoor line.

[Irving]

It will have conduit as it comes out of the house then goes 12" into the ground (plus a 90 degree elbow) It will have the same on the opposite end as it goes up a 4x4 to the weather proof electrical box. But it will just be buried the rest of the way. I'm not powering a shed or anything with high demand so the way I view it, it doesn't need it. (Plus an inch above it will be the sprinkler line)



yeah, seems odd to me to have no sheath while in conduit, especially since it is only going to be in the conduit for a foot or so as it comes out of the ground and goes into the house. But this confirms a bit what he was saying. Thanks.



I think it has to do with moisture protection ratings of the sheathing vs the stuff directly around the wire.

[Sparky]

You can sleeve UF cable in pvc.

[Duman]

Be sure to follow the minimum depth coverage in your trench.

http://www.irrigation.org/uploadedFiles/Certification/National%20Electric%20Code.pdf

And as long as you have a trench opened up, run some 1/2" PVC and use #14 or #12 THWN/THHN( depending on the load & distance ) it will be protected by the conduit in case of future digging over it.

+1
Ba-ck on the farm, we would do this, then place pieces of wood on top before covering the trench. Just another layer of protection if you need to dig it up in the future.

[PSS]

You can sleeve UF cable in pvc.

+1 HD "pro's" are anything but. Don't trust them. I would spring for the extra cost of an licensed EC long before I would ask any questions at HD about electrical.

[Sparky]

You can install UF cable in your home also.