Outdoor electrical wiring, help!
by
Bonnie
+1
When electrical wires are placed in ground for outdoor lighting are the wires just buried under the sod or should they be enclosed in something protective like PVC?
My electrician just left them
in dirt on surface of ground and where he spliced the wires he just screwed on a piece of plastic on each wire and they are exposed to the weather.
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They are supposed to be enclosed and buried.
If it's low voltage wire for outdoor lighting it can be buried just below the surface basically for lawn and ground maintenance. If in a garden they can be covered with mulch. Low voltage wiring does not need to be enclosed.
High voltage wire needs to be run through electrical PVC or metal conduit buried below the surface.
Is this guy licensed? If so, what state is he in? Would never ever fly in the State Of California. This guy has a total disregard for following building code and the safety of the client. I hope you didn't pay a lot for his services. What if the kids dig in the area? What about your dog? Maybe it wants to dig a hole for a bone? What if someone plants a tree? Nope nope nope. Check your local building code, report this guy to whatever authorities you choose and do not recommend this person to anyone. Here is basic minimum, but again check local code. You didn't know better, and so glad you asked . . . If it were me, I would get my money back so you can hire a real licensed electrician to do the job correctly. Now I am doubtful he pulled from the main or did a micky mouse job from splicing in from somewhere he shouldn't. I would be very concerned. Now you know better.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/wiring/how-to-bury-underground-cable/view-all/
Here is how to hire a contractor:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0242-hiring-contractor
If in CA:
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/Hire_A_Contractor/
Make sure you always hire a licensed and bonded electrician. Ask around for a competent electrician. When we added a grounded outlet to our garage, we found that the garage wiring was inadequate (and our inspector missed). Some utility companies offer programs to install/upgrade lighting/wiring and the cost can be split into so many payments if need be on your bill.