Pull the string and power cord through the pieces. Measure the length of your trench. Running the wires correctly leaves a seamless installation. Attach the connection plugs hanging from the light fixture to the cable. To install garden lighting, if it is to be lit by mains electricity, it pays to draw a plan and know exactly what you want, and even more importantly, where. With a properly installed GFCI outlet in place, use a tape measure to measure the distance from your fountain location to the GFCI outlet. The power cord should be buried underground to install a fountain without any unsightly electrical wires on the lawn. Website operating the L (Line also known as live or phase) is connected to the first lamp and other lamps are connected through middle wire and the last one wire as N (Neutral) connected to the supply voltage then. The sharp pins pierce the cable and make contact with the electrical wires inside. How to Connect a Dishwasher to a Septic System, How to Connect CPVC to a Brass Shower Valve, Kinetic Fountains: How to Install an Outdoor Fountain, How to Build Your Own Tiered Stone Fountain. Dave’s Reply: Thanks for your electrical question Larry. This trench should make a straight path to the GFCI outlet. Place duct tape on one end of the string and tape it on top of a GFCI outdoor receptacle nearest to the area where you want your fountain. Electricity is often used to power lawn mowers and hedge trimmers, along with providing power for outdoor lights, pond pumps, heated propagators and greenhouse heaters. Data transmission wires (telephone, internet, etc.) Repeat until you get to the other side. Thread the extension cord through the pvc pipe. Layout the pipe run adjacent to the trench. We welcome your comments and deep PVC conduit method we show is about the easiest and most practical for running a typical 15-amp line. The 19-inch pipe will be standing up at the end of the trench near the fountain pump. Connect the bare wire to the green screw on the outlet. If the connection between the extension cord and the fountain plug is on the ground, wrap in electrical tape and elevate off the ground, securing it to the side of the fountain. The trench only needs to be about 2 inches wide to accommodate the schedule 40 PVC pipe. I became aware that it is against electrical codes to use sheathed cable inside a conduit. Make sure you have a "snake" or fish tape long enough to go from end to end. Apply a thick layer of glue on the same areas. This source of power is obviously useful for gardeners; but care must be taken to avoid shocks, fire and electrocution. (See below for a shopping list and tools. After you run cable for the new service, connect those wires to the LOAD terminals so the new service is GFCI-protected. To run cable under a sidewalk, screw a length of pipe onto the end of a garden hose. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Management and a double minor in accounting and computer science. Running the wires correctly leaves a seamless installation. 1 Measure and cut a length of string to the same length as your fountain pump’s electrical cord minus 2 feet. Repeat this process until you have covered the distance to the GFCI outlet. Now, it is time to bury the PVC-encased extension cord. Connect the black wire to the brass screw on the bottom side of the outlet and the white wire to the silver screw on the bottom side. must be at least 10 feet above the surface of the water in pools, spas, and hot tubs. Go back and attach all pipes to the pvc couplings. Attach one end of the string with duct tape onto the plug on the fountain pump’s power cord. Next, lay out the pump cord plugged in to the extension cord to get a good idea if you have enough length. Drop the end of the string with the hex nut on it through one 19-inch piece of pipe. Placing sand in the bottom makes a cushion for the PVC and protects it from rocks. The color also identifies it as electricity rather than a white waterline. Diagram? Pour a layer of sand about 1 inch deep in the bottom of the trench. Running Wires Inside Rigid Conduit To run the wires inside rigid conduit, you’ll need a hacksaw, a pipe bender capable of bending 1/2-in. The nut will go through the pipe and exit the other side of the pipe as it pulls the power cord with it. If the distance to the GFCI outlet is longer than the length of one PVC pipe, gather the specific number of pipes you need to equal the distance. Electrical Question from Larry about Wiring A Pond Pump Background: Larry, a Homeowner from Milford, OH USA Question: Wiring a pond pump back to house to junction box on outside foundation through wall and wire into a line with a switch and continue out to rest of receptacles in this line. Above-ground wires are not only a tripping hazard, they can get damaged and create an electrical or fire hazard. You will use PVC pipe to protect the extension cord from the outdoor elements. Replace the soil and grass in the trench with a shovel. Ideally small wire armoured (SWA) cable should be used for an electrical supply from your property out to the garden pond pump or water feature. Save any dirt removed from the trench to refill the trench later. The GFCI outlet will stop the current before any bodily damage occurs. Shut off power to the circuit. It is the right wire for home wiring and for my needs in my shed. Dread of wiring your outdoor water fountain need not keep you from starting your project. This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook installs a solar-powered garden fountain. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your garden lighting: In above fig, all the three light points are connected in series. Step 1 Drill a hole through your structure where you will supply your power. The location must have easy access to an electrical outlet or the ability to run an unobtrusive extension cord to power the pump How to Install a Fountain in Your Patio ... How to Install a Fountain in Your Patio Pond. Lay the pipe in the bottom of the trench. A GFCI outlet is necessary to prevent electrocution in the event someone makes contact with the electrical current. Now it is time to position the fountain. View our Privacy Policy here. All rights reserved. Your fountain will be composed of three main elements: a water reservoir, a water pump and a design feature. You can place it anywhere you like as long as it poses no safety issues. You may also thread a "pull string" through each pipe section as you go, simplifying the later wire-pulling task. Measure and cut a length of string to the same length as your fountain pump’s electrical cord minus 2 feet. Hide the fountain cord by stacking rocks around it or planting flowers near it. She loves writing about careers for busy families as well as family oriented planning, meals and activities for all ages. Mary Lougee has been writing for over 10 years. Drop the hex nut through one horizontal pipe piece in the trench bottom at a time and secure each pipe section. Before starting your project, you need to address safety concerns. Placement of the fountain is a purely aesthetic decision. Make sure that the wire is inside the conduit before you start the installation. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be home improvement and repair website. It should be buried in the ground at a depth of 20 inches (500mm). Glue or fasten the pipe … Before starting your project, you need to address safety concerns. Copyright© Dig a trench at least six inches deep and wide enough to hold the PVC pipe. Though these faux antique fountains are beautiful, the engineering of the mechanical/electrical aspects needs some work from the standpoint of user friendliness and practicality. Running electrical wire through the walls and hooking the wire to end-point devices is an easy and safe task for a skilled do-it-yourselfer. Connect the power source. Attempting to wire any electrical item without proper training and licensing is not only dangerous but foolish as well. I want a fountain in the middle of my yard, about 30 feet from my garage. Installing electrical for a garden fountain. problems contact [email protected]. So, can the wire be run through a conduit that is anchored to the underside of the deck, then send the wire into the ground and have buried wire to the fountain location receptacle? Be sure to check the electrician’s licensing, insurance and credentials. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Place a thick layer of PVC primer on the exterior of the 19-inch pipe and the interior of the elbow. I've also thought of routing the water lines out the standpipe and putting the pumps in a exterior housing, maybe a large inground irrigation valve box. It would be very difficult to trench from the electrical source due to walkways, irrigation pipe and flower beds running the whole frontage of the porch. Tighten the screws securely then plug the transformer into the electrical socket. Push until you meet resistance, then pull out the pipe to flush the hole. Close the cover on the receptacle to keep the junction of the cord and receptacle dry. Wiring can be confusing, but there are certain steps you can take to ensure both safety and success. Cut two sections of schedule 40 PVC pipe to 19 inches long with a fine-blade hacksaw. Each lamp is connected to the next one i.e. Wiring a fountain in a pond Q: A homeowner has a pond with a small island. Tape the electrical wire to the electrical wire pull rope tightly with electrical tape at the GFCI receptacle box end of the conduit. Write the measurements down for later reference. Garden fountains are available in a large variety of sizes and shapes to complement your lawn. Do not add an extension cord to your power cord for extending length. With an enormous amount of PVC sizes and fittings, you can run electrical wire outside and up a tree should you choose to. Electrical service wires overhanging a pool, spa, or hot tub must be at least 22 1/2 feet above the surface of the water or surface of the diving platform. No conduit or ducting is necessary if you use a Steel Wire Armoured XLPE cable. Using the recorded measurements, cut the PVC pipe to length with your coping saw. Pack the dirt down by walking over it as you go along. Start by digging a foot deep trench about 4 inches wide from GFCI outlet to the fountain. To be safe, and to keep the wire … rigid conduit with an outside diameter of 3/4-in., and a fish tape long enough to reach through the buried pipe. Garden Lighting. Remove the string from the receptacle. You will save a lot of time and energy by doing so. how do i run electrcal wiring underground twenty feet from a garden fountain pump cord to an extension cord.? DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Attempting to wire any electrical item without proper training and licensing is not only dangerous but foolish as well. Dig a trench about 20 inches deep from the outdoor GFCI receptacle to the garden fountain pump. the garden fountain will sit in the front yard and i wil run undergrond wire from the fountain to an above ground out door extension cord which wil run … Dec 6, 2014 - A garden fountain can cool down those hot summer days a little, and it's a great place for bird watching, but you don't want to trip over electrical wires on your way to it. Tie a 3/4-inch hex nut on the opposite end of the string to act as a weight. Test your fountain to make certain it works and there are no leaking pipe junctions. Push each light fixture through the holes you have made in the grass sod. Fill your fountain with water, and plug it in. suggestions. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Place your garden fountain closer to the receptacle than the power cord length. Prime the opposite end of the elbow and pipe and glue it together in the same manner. Poke in the pipe, then turn on the water. You may freely link Now, you are finished and can enjoy the fruits of your labor without any safety concerns. Choose the location for your fountain. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Push the pipe into the elbow, twist it slightly and hold the two pieces together for a minute or two to start the bonding process. Moving sockets and power points is an expensive business and changing your mind can cost a great deal. Cut the string to a length of 12 feet. Cut any excess length off the last pipe. Any cable supplying a pond pump or water feature and any other electrical equipment must be suitable for outdoor use. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". These instructions assume that there is a closed wall between the service panel and the device that will be wired up. Be sure to check the electrician’s licensing, insurance and credentials. Place the PVC pipe in the trench and cover the trench with the previously removed dirt. Plan the area where you want your fountain in advance and purchase one with a longer cord to accommodate your needs. The additional cord will lay slack in the PVC pipe. I couldn't leave the second-hand store without this awesomely hideous fount... Troubleshooting 3 Common GFCI Outlet Problems, Troubleshooting the Pump on an Outdoor Water Fountain. Add an elbow at the end of the trench and the other 19-inch pipe to make a mirror image of the opposite side. Drop the hex nut through a PVC 90-degree elbow and the first section of pipe in the trench. Assemble your fountain, add water to it and plug the power cord into the GCFI outdoor receptacle. Without this protection, a person who touches the water when there is an electrical short present can be seriously injured so always think safety. There are several different methods for safely running the underground wiring, but the 12-in. Adding a garden fountain to your landscape provides you with a serene area to relax and enjoy the sounds while blocking out other noises. Make sure it is set up according to the manufacturer’s instructions. and ideally you would be better off using a 4mm cable and fitting a small two way fuseboard at the shed end that feeds two circuits one for lighting and one for power. Leave the pipe in place and run cable through it. The 2006 Guide Information for Electrical Equipment (White Book) published by Underwriters Laboratories Inc is also mentioned. Locate an electrician to install a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet. Wiring your outdoor water fountain was a challenge, but you tackled it fearlessly. Use the type of plastic outlet cover that lets you keep a cord plugged into the socket, with holes at the bottom for the wire. He wants to provide a fountain on the island. Stretch the string out and use it as a pivot point to find the farthest point from the receptacle that you can place your fountain. The wire that I got for this project was a type 12-2. All information is provided "AS IS." How to Run Electrical Wire . But in some case, we need to wire and connect electrical appliances in series as well. If you need to use more than one PVC pipe, attach aVC P coupling to the end of the first pipe and thread the cord through the second pipe. If you need to install an outdoor electrical outlet, because you need to power a pond pump or other device, think safety. Step 7 Push the wiring back into the junction box and tighten down the screws to hold the outlet in place. Connect the black and white wires from the power source to the LINE terminals of a GFCI receptacle. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Use full 10-foot sections plus a cut piece, if necessary, to obtain the length. Locate an electrician to install a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet.