Running Electric wire underground?
Question:What wire type, gauge and brand should I get?
Answers:
if you are doing a direct burial, use a UF (undergound feed) type wire. Check with local codes for what depth to bury it. As for gauge, that would depend on what load you have. 15 amps= 14 gauge, 20 amps=12 gauge, 30 amps= 10 gauge.
nomex grey-sheath 12gu for 15a, 10gu for 30a
What I do is buy PVC pipe and run it through the pipe between the locations of where you plan to run it too.
This way it is done right the first time that will outlast a bare exposure by 100 years.
Honestly I would run PVC Conduit it is less expensive to buy. Install 1" PVC and THHN wire #12 for 20amps #10 for 30 amps and if you compare the price you will find it cheaper and That way if in the future you need to increase power It will be an easy job to pull thru the pipe. if you put UF romex you will have to re-dig the trench. CODE States 18" for Pipe and 24" for romex hope this helps you out. GOOD LUCK
The others are wrong.
Depends on the voltage and the amperage required.
Use UF wire, as suggested. If you want extra assurance you can use conduit and single strand or NM wire. UF can be buried directly and would be easier to use, bury to code depth. Be sure to select the gauge that meets the the current draw you will need. You must also factor in the distance that you are going, there may be voltage drop. This may dictate that you move to a larger sized wire.
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