240V UF splice

[theoldwizard1]

Okay, I know the "pros" wont like this, but this product saved my **** !

We were doing some landscaping at my son's house (establishing a grade that went AWAY from BOTH the house and garage) when we uncovered the 240V line going to the garage (10/3 UF) ... with a rototiller. We put a few nick in the outer sheathing that I just taped up, but I really want to rebury it about 3 feet down. Of course there was no slack.

So I bought 8' of 10/3 UF and 2 Tyco Raychem Underground Splice Kits at HD. Extra heavy duty heat shrink. Designed for direct burial so it must be waterproof.

 

[John in OH]

..... Tyco Raychem Underground Splice Kits at HD. Extra heavy duty heat shrink. Designed for direct burial so it must be waterproof.

So ... has anyone used the Tyco Raychem product discussed by theoldwizard1?? Is it the best way to make an underground splice in UF cable or is there a better product?

 

[gatchel]

If it say Tyco or Raychem it has to be good.


Sorry I have nothing to contribute other than I know a few people that have used them with success, so far...

 

[dittle fart around]

This is a fairly common splice used for underground cable. The shrink tubing has glue inside to seal the splice. Used to work at a shipyard in the San Francisco Bay. We spliced one million circular mill cable with 2 bolt lugged connections, 1/2 inch brass nuts and bolts, with a layer of shrink tubing without glue then another longer layer with glue. Made a salt water weather proof connection for 3000 amps.

 

[Gary S]

This is why I never direct bury cable. If it is in conduit, it is much less likely that the rototiller would have damaged the conduit enough to compromise the cable. And, even if a cable in conduit should need replacing, all you need to do is pull the old one out and pull a new one in.

 

[John in OH]

This is why I never direct bury cable. If it is in conduit, it is much less likely that the rototiller would have damaged the conduit enough to compromise the cable. And, even if a cable in conduit should need replacing, all you need to do is pull the old one out and pull a new one in.

Yeah, conduit is probably best, but had they originally buried it the required 24 inch MINIMUM depth that the NEC calls for direct burial cable, the rototiller would probably not have snagged the cable ... unless that was one man-size rototiller!! A warning tape buried 12 inches above the cable would have also possibly prevented the encounter.

 

[Norcal]

If it say Tyco or Raychem it has to be good.


Sorry I have nothing to contribute other than I know a few people that have used them with success, so far...

TYCO, the folks who brought us the $5000.00 shower curtain for the maids quarters.

 

[Aceman]

You know, I haven't had to make a splice in UF yet. We pretty much always refeed whatever it was going to with pvc/thwn. But, I did notice those kits in HD a while back and thought they looked pretty slick. They might save my **** one day when I'm in a pinch!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yeah, conduit is probably best, but had they originally buried it the required 24 inch MINIMUM depth that the NEC calls for direct burial cable, the rototiller would probably not have snagged the cable ... unless that was one man-size rototiller!! A warning tape buried 12 inches above the cable would have also possibly prevented the encounter.

Right on, John.

Near the garage, they buried some 1x2 non-pressure treated, which of course was rotten, on top of the wire. At the other end, nothing.

Now it is buried 2'+ except right by the garage. There I have a couple cheap patio stones shielding the wire from a errant shovel !