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Can I bury an electrical cord?

If you're going to bury an extension or power cord, even temporarily, you'll want to bury it in a PVC conduit pipe. Specifically, you'll need rigid metal conduit or rigid PVC pipe to act as an electrical conduit.

journeymanhq.com - How To Bury an Extension Cord Safely & Effectively - Journeyman HQ

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This weekend, you’re hosting a 500 person event. You’ll need lights and a sound system on a gazebo that’s 100 feet from any power receptacle. An extension cord will work for your power needs, but you’re concerned about people tripping over it or unplugging your electronics.

A friend suggested burying the cord, but you’re not completely sure how to do it safely. What are your options?

This is not an uncommon scenario. In fact, most of us have probably set up an extension cord a time or two when we wished it was more out of the way, either for safety or possibly aesthetics. Is it OK to bury an extension cord, though?

Today, we’re going to discuss options for burying an extension cord, but let’s first start with a little safety talk.

Safety first

If you can avoid burying a cord, you should. Extension cords are not designed to be buried and are really only to be used temporarily – never for permanent outdoor purposes, whether buried or not. It is advised that you consult an electrician or professional handyman with the right tools, knowledge, and training about possible permanent wiring solutions. With that being said, you may have run into a situation in which you need to temporarily bury an extension cord. This can be achieved, although there are some specific safety concerns you’ll need to address before proceeding (similar to digging a permanent trench). Let’s take a look at a few major safety concerns first, as well as some choices you’ll need to make when deciding how to an bury extension cord.

Potential scenarios

One of the first questions you should ask yourself is “Why am I burying an extension cord?” For most extension cord applications, you’ll use it, and roll it up when you’re done. To consider burying the cord requires a significant reason to do so.Maybe there will be a large number of people. Or you may need to run a cord directly through a high-traffic area. Avoiding guests tripping and falling is an understandable concern. Make sure you consider all your alternatives and then proceed.

Duration of use

How long do you intend on keeping the cord active and in use? Hours and days shouldn’t be too much of a problem, but you shouldn’t consider an extension cord as a permanent solution.

Power supply needed

What are you powering? The size and number of appliances or electronics you’re using should be a consideration. Pulling too much current could cause a loss of power, all together. What is the source of power you’re connecting to? If it’s your house, you’ll want to connect to a GFI or GFCI-rated plug. A ground fault circuit interrupter outlet monitors the flow of current and acts as a circuit breaker if there is a surge in current. This keeps you safe from electric shocks, blackouts, or even possible fires.

Existing underground cables

Before you start digging in your yard, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t in danger of hitting any buried electrical or telephone lines, water lines or gas lines. Some lines can be detected with magnetic sensors and there are many on the market. You can also call 811, which is a national hotline, to request a service to find underground lines.

Necessary safety equipment

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If you have addressed these concerns and still find it necessary to bury an extension cord, it’s time to head to the hardware store.

Conduit

If you’re going to bury an extension or power cord, even temporarily, you’ll want to bury it in a PVC conduit pipe. Specifically, you’ll need rigid metal conduit or rigid PVC pipe to act as an electrical conduit. RMC is typically used in outdoor electrical applications and is likely what an electrician will use for a hard-wired installation. This kind of pipe can be buried and your extension cable / cord would be protected well. Rigid PVC is used in corrosive environments, such as near oceans and the beach or other bodies of salt water. This conduit could also be used temporarily to protect a buried extension cord. Keep in mind; for burying rigid PVC in a hard-wired electrical installation, the ground cover must be at least 18″ deep. That’s a deep trench to dig. RMC only requires 6″ of ground cover. Measure the distance you’re going to travel with your cord to calculate how much conduit you’ll need to buy. If you aren’t going in a straight line, you’ll want to buy angled elbows and plan out your turns. You’ll want to have enough conduit to come out of the ground and still protect your extension cord, so add more than just the buried section to your calculations. Pro tip- A good rule of thumb for calculating materials is to add 10%.

Outdoor-rated extension cord

The heavy duty extension cord you’re using needs to be waterproof and rated for outdoor use. Make sure the electrical wiring has a thick vinyl sleeve and the plug ends are securely fastened to the electrical cable. The gauge or size of wire in the extension cord is important, too. Keep in mind, though, that the smaller the gauge number, the larger the wire and the greater the current capacity. A 10 gauge wire, for instance, transfers more current with less resistance than a 14 gauge wire.

Trench digging tools

Since you’re burying a cord, you’ll need to dig a trench to lay the conduit and cord. For a temporary bury, you could dig the trench 4-6″ wide and 8-10″ deep. If there are tree roots or the ground is hard packed, you may need an axe or a mattock. A trench shovel or trench hoe are also designed for digging trenches for laying pipes and cables.

Trench time

Start by pulling a string or marking the ground where you’re going to dig. Some professionals will mark their line with spray paint to make sure they stay on their mark. Planning where to dig also makes sure you don’t cross any buried wires or cables. Feed your cord off your reel through the conduit and connect the pieces. You should already know where your cord will need to travel, based on the outlet you’re plugging into and where you’re trying to connect the electronics. Then push your cord back so you don’t accidentally cut it with a digging tool and start digging your trench, monitoring your line and depth. Once you’ve finished the trench, lay your conduit/cord in the trench. Test your plug before burying it, though. Plug up everything you’re planning on using and see if the electrical system is working properly. After you’ve checked everything, start burying your conduit/cord. Once you’ve replaced the dirt, tamp it down. You can do most of this by walking over the dig spot. Make sure there aren’t any soft spots or holes for your guests to accidentally step in.

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Secure your cord

Plug in your extension cord at both ends. Make sure the plugs are securely connected to the outdoor outlet and attached power tool or power strip. You may want to think about attaching or securing the cord with a zip tie, if possible, and adding a surge protector. For the duration of the cord’s use, keep an eye on any abnormal heat or discoloration of the plastic or vinyl. Discontinue use if either of these conditions present themselves, as you’re probably experiencing overheating due to impedance and are at risk of failure.

Removing the buried conduit/cord

As stated earlier, burying an extension cord is not recommended for long-term use. Once you’ve finished your event, you’ll want to unearth the cord and conduit. This can be tricky, as you don’t want to cut into the cord while trying to dig it up. The conduit will work well as a protector, but dig carefully as you reach its depth. If your temporary solution seems like a better permanent solution, you’ll already have much of the work completed and materials in place. UF or underground feeder wire is commonly used for permanent buried cable installation. Consult a local electrician to see about getting connected.

Alternatives to burying

Before you start digging up your yard, consider some temporary alternatives.

Use a walkway cord cover. There are plastic or rubber walkways or thresholds which can route your cords through channels where they won’t be damaged if they’re stepped on. They also manage cords so people won’t trip and fall. There are plastic or rubber walkways or thresholds which can route your cords through channels where they won’t be damaged if they’re stepped on. They also manage cords so people won’t trip and fall. Suspend the cords. If you can’t go under, go over. Run the cords over archways or trellises, if possible. Zip tie them in place and skip the dig. If you can’t go under, go over. Run the cords over archways or trellises, if possible. Zip tie them in place and skip the dig. Use cordless devices. There are more products than ever that require batteries or even solar power to operate. You may find an alternative that’s more portable and sustainable. Of course, you may have already exhausted all of these options, and more. For your situation, burying is the only option. The good news is we can do it safely. The downside: you won’t be able to use it indefinitely. For more information, you may want to consult the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC] or the National Fire Protection Association [NFPA]. Both organizations strive to maintain public safety and they are a wealth of information about a wide variety of topics and FAQs on the national electrical code and electrical safety. Whatever the situation you may find yourself in, make sure you follow as many safety guidelines as possible, especially when handling electricity.

journeymanhq.com - How To Bury an Extension Cord Safely & Effectively - Journeyman HQ

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