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HeyBub[_3_]

wrote:
Electrical - Is this legal to code?

I dug a trench from the garage to a toolshed, and put about 30 feet of
12-2 UF cable underground to the shed. Before filling the trench, I
decided that maybe it would be best to put two of these cables in so I
have two circuits in there, mainly because it gets so hot in there
that I might put in a small air conditioner.

The first cable I installed was some UF cable that I got at an
auction. It's unused cable, but apparently old stock. The reason is
that it does not have a ground wire. The second cable is brand new,
because I did not have enough of that old stuff to go twice. I did
not realize there was no ground in that cable until I filled the
trench, or I would have just bought all new cable.

Anyhow, I ran one cable to the left+rear of the shed, the other to the
right+front. After I get it all stapled and into boxes is when I
realized there is no ground on that one cable. Oddly enough they both
look the same. They are gray and 12-2 UF. I did not know they even
made gray without ground. I recall some old white UF that came
without a ground years ago.

Anyhow, this is what I plan to do. Both cables are on a separate
breaker at the source (garage). In the shed, I will ground the ground
wire to the box from the cable that has a ground. On the second cable
without the ground, I'll run a bare or green wire to the other circuit
that has the ground wire. This will just be a bare copper wire (or
green insulated) across the rafters to a box on the other circuit.

Electrically speaking, this is a completed ground, but I'm wondering
if an inspector would allow such a connection?

My other option, seems to be to run both cables into one box, near
where they enter the shed. That way, there is one ground wire to
that box no matter what. Then run my outlets and lights all to that
box, but use the hot and neutral wires as planned to have two
circuits. This might make more sense but will need more materials to
do.

By the way, this will not be inspected. This is rural property and
they dont bother with small things like this. I'm only asking both
for resale value (at which time there could be an inspection), and
just to know how this would be viewed.

Is an actual ground in the vicinity of the un-grounded outlet out of the
question?