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#1
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Lamp Post Installation
I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran
to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? Thanks Amy. |
#2
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Lamp Post Installation
"Amy L" wrote in message ... I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? I'd like to see it deeper, maybe 12", but it is otherwise just fine. I've had one cable buried for about 20+ years with no problem, another for 5 years. |
#3
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Lamp Post Installation
Amy L wrote:
I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? While conduit is not necessary, it just seems better, doesn't it! Do it if it is easy or inexpensive to fix just to give yourself some peace-of-mind. Deeper would definetly be better and I imagine there are some electrical codes that should be consulted. Make sure the circuit is on ground fault interrupter (GFI). Just back fill with dirt (or whatever is natural). -- __________________________________________________ ______________________ Richard Thoms President - Top Service Pros, Inc. Connecting Homeowners and Local Home Service Professionals Homeowners, Find a Top Service Pro -- http://www.TopServicePros.com Service Pros, Get Listed on the Web - http://www.TopServicePros.com |
#4
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Lamp Post Installation
Any downside or benefit to putting it in conduit? Several articles I ran
across on the web all talk about using conduit. Amy "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message .com... "Amy L" wrote in message ... I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? I'd like to see it deeper, maybe 12", but it is otherwise just fine. I've had one cable buried for about 20+ years with no problem, another for 5 years. |
#5
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Lamp Post Installation
Amy L wrote: Any downside or benefit to putting it in conduit? Several articles I ran across on the web all talk about using conduit. Well, if/when someone starts digging in the future, they'll hit conduit first, instead of possibly energized electrical lines. There's a benefit. Tom |
#6
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Lamp Post Installation
In our area (California) all electrical conduit and wire must be 24"
underground. May have to be in metal conduit, but not sure. Would be quite a surprise if somebody digs up a live electric wire with only a spade. I guess too many people bit the dust. -- Walter www.rationality.net - "Richard Thoms" wrote in message . .. Amy L wrote: I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? While conduit is not necessary, it just seems better, doesn't it! Do it if it is easy or inexpensive to fix just to give yourself some peace-of-mind. Deeper would definetly be better and I imagine there are some electrical codes that should be consulted. Make sure the circuit is on ground fault interrupter (GFI). Just back fill with dirt (or whatever is natural). -- __________________________________________________ ______________________ Richard Thoms President - Top Service Pros, Inc. Connecting Homeowners and Local Home Service Professionals Homeowners, Find a Top Service Pro -- http://www.TopServicePros.com Service Pros, Get Listed on the Web - http://www.TopServicePros.com |
#7
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Lamp Post Installation
"Amy L" wrote in message ... Any downside or benefit to putting it in conduit? Several articles I ran across on the web all talk about using conduit. Amy No downside, especially if it is shallow. Tee conduit won't stop a backhoe, but will easily stop a shovel. |
#8
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Lamp Post Installation
NEC requirements for buried wiring vary depending upon amperage of the
circuit, type of conduit, type of protection, such as ground fault, and direct buried cables. It also varies depending where the trench is, such as under a driveway, road, etc. etc. Personally, in a residential application I like to sleeve U.F. cable through PVC pipe or flexible non metallic conduit, for added protection. More protection is obviously better. In your situation, at the very least I'd install GFCI protection on the circuit "Amy L" wrote in message ... I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? Thanks Amy. |
#9
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Lamp Post Installation
RBM (remove this) wrote: NEC requirements for buried wiring vary depending upon amperage of the circuit, type of conduit, type of protection, such as ground fault, and direct buried cables. It also varies depending where the trench is, such as under a driveway, road, etc. etc. Personally, in a residential application I like to sleeve U.F. cable through PVC pipe or flexible non metallic conduit, for added protection. More protection is obviously better. In your situation, at the very least I'd install GFCI protection on the circuit I am familiar with GFCI outlets, but in this case the wire goes right from an internal light switch directly to the lamp post. Is there a different type of GFCI unit that can be placed inline? Amy |
#11
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Lamp Post Installation
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#12
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Lamp Post Installation
Amy L wrote:
I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? Thanks Amy. No worries and no need for conduit. Yea, like others have said, deeper is better, conduit is better, etc. Just git-er-done and don't worry. Unless you are planning on digging in that area for some other reason. Oh, you already know there is a wire there. Also, anyone who sees a lamp post should be smart enough to assume there is a wire somewhere. I would just get on with installing the lamp post then enjoy the rest of your day and admire the complete job. Don't make more work than you need to. Inviato da X-Privat.Org - Registrazione gratuita http://www.x-privat.org/join.php |
#13
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Lamp Post Installation
Yes there is, it's called a faceless GFCI, but what I'd try to do is
intercept the cable just before it goes out of the house and install a box with a GFCI device in it there wrote in message oups.com... RBM (remove this) wrote: NEC requirements for buried wiring vary depending upon amperage of the circuit, type of conduit, type of protection, such as ground fault, and direct buried cables. It also varies depending where the trench is, such as under a driveway, road, etc. etc. Personally, in a residential application I like to sleeve U.F. cable through PVC pipe or flexible non metallic conduit, for added protection. More protection is obviously better. In your situation, at the very least I'd install GFCI protection on the circuit I am familiar with GFCI outlets, but in this case the wire goes right from an internal light switch directly to the lamp post. Is there a different type of GFCI unit that can be placed inline? Amy |
#14
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Lamp Post Installation
"RBM" rbm2(remove wrote in message ... Yes there is, it's called a faceless GFCI, but what I'd try to do is intercept the cable just before it goes out of the house and install a box with a GFCI device in it there Could be rather awkward for periodic testing of the GFCI? A possible problem is that the power feed to the lamp's switch does not have a ground wire? lee |
#15
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Lamp Post Installation
I would expect that it does, but it wouldn't matter to the GFCI even if it
didn't "lee_houston" wrote in message . com... "RBM" rbm2(remove wrote in message ... Yes there is, it's called a faceless GFCI, but what I'd try to do is intercept the cable just before it goes out of the house and install a box with a GFCI device in it there Could be rather awkward for periodic testing of the GFCI? A possible problem is that the power feed to the lamp's switch does not have a ground wire? lee |
#16
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Lamp Post Installation
Could be rather awkward for periodic testing of the GFCI? A possible problem is that the power feed to the lamp's switch does not have a ground wire? The GFCI needs to be placed upstream (ahead of) the switch which means you might have to do a little detective work to see how the circuit is routed. The idea here is to place it in an accessible location so that you can test and reset the circuit when neccessary. If you are lucky, you might just find that there is a duplex outlet upstream and you can just replace it with an inexpensive GFCI and follow the wiring diagram. GFCIs are required to be grounded, if a ground is available, but they are also allowed to be installed when there is not a sufficient ground. In the latter case, a little sticker is placed on the outlet that says "No Ground" or something similar. Beachcomber |
#18
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Lamp Post Installation
Why would the GFCI need to be placed upstream of the switch? I'd put it in a
box right where the U.F. leaves the building, on the load side of the switch "Beachcomber" wrote in message ... Could be rather awkward for periodic testing of the GFCI? A possible problem is that the power feed to the lamp's switch does not have a ground wire? The GFCI needs to be placed upstream (ahead of) the switch which means you might have to do a little detective work to see how the circuit is routed. The idea here is to place it in an accessible location so that you can test and reset the circuit when neccessary. If you are lucky, you might just find that there is a duplex outlet upstream and you can just replace it with an inexpensive GFCI and follow the wiring diagram. GFCIs are required to be grounded, if a ground is available, but they are also allowed to be installed when there is not a sufficient ground. In the latter case, a little sticker is placed on the outlet that says "No Ground" or something similar. Beachcomber |
#19
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Lamp Post Installation
"Amy L" wrote in message ... I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? Thanks Amy. When I re installed the light at my in-law's home I installed an outlet on the post. Never dreamed I would use it as much as I have. |
#20
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Lamp Post Installation
On Sat, 10 Jun 2006 22:44:08 -0400, "Jimmie D"
wrote: "Amy L" wrote in message m... I am installing a lamp post in my front yard. I already have electrical ran to the outside that was used for a lamp post many years ago (previous owners). They ran the cable not in conduit underground about 6 inches at most. I am going to put a new lamp post in and I was thinking that the electrical cable should be in a conduit. The existing cable is underground rated (or so it says on it). Thoughts on the conduit. Also, in the trench would you lay gravel or sand? Any general advise anyone can offer? Tips, tricks, or advise from experience? Thanks Amy. When I re installed the light at my in-law's home I installed an outlet on the post. Never dreamed I would use it as much as I have. An outlet sounds like a good idea. Is it switched with the light? -- Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin |
#21
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Lamp Post Installation
run a 3 wire cable with ground. one wire powers the light and is switched, while a seperate wire powers the outlet which can be on all the time. if you dont do that the light has to be on when you need outlet power, but that may not be a big issue |
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