pasing romex 3awg wire through pvc conduit (issues)

[Stevenanto]

Hi all,

so finally the city has approved my plans after going back and forth many times. My foundation just went down so I passed my water pipes and my 3awg wire for a new subpanel in detached garage.

I was passing it through a 1 1/4 inch pvc pipe once I ended up outside. The run ended up being 30 feet above ground and then 20 underground. Now I ran into an issue as the cement guys just put a 90 degree turn and a 3 foot tube through the foundation. I was not able to completely close the pvc pipe together underground due to the wire wanting to twist. I measured everything and dry fitted it all beforehand but not I have a part where the pvc pip isnt closed and has a 1 inch gap (the wire was twisting inside and the pvc pipe started to bow)

Is there anything i can do to close it off, i was planning on putting clay to close it off and then put it inground. Can i just leave the wire exposed like this in ground? I figured i cant because its not black wire. Any help or info would be appreciated.

Here is the exact wire that I got

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p....-simpull-nmd90-33-white---75m.1000171035.html

 

[PCustoms]

Pull the wire out, glue your pvc together and then go buy the proper wire.

That can't be runout outside or underground.

 

[Stevenanto]

Pull the wire out, glue your pvc together and then go buy the proper wire.

That can't be runout outside or underground.

I spent like 4 hours running the wire 10 feet at time!

I was told that this wire is fine in a conduit both above and underground.

man just my luck. which wire do you think is the right one?

what are the issues of running of this wire? is there anyway that i can salvage this. Theres no way the store will be taking back this wire as it was cut to custom length and it aint cheap.

 

[acer66]

what are the issues of running of this wire? is there anyway that i can salvage this. Theres no way the store will be taking back this wire as it was cut to custom length and it aint cheap.

The wire you have is not rated for exterior by code,
I would take it back and tell them that they sold you the wrong wire since you bought because of their recommendation.

MHF is commonly used but it needs to be in conduit inside and the wire in the link is just an excample.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwi...tranded-AL-MHF-USE-2-Cable-28712801/202316409

Just saw that you are Canada so your codes might be different.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Hi Now I ran into an issue as the cement guys just put a 90 degree turn and a 3 foot tube through the foundation.

When you say a 90 degree turn, do you mean a sharp right angle like an elbow you'd use for a water pipe? Or, is it a gradual sweep? Electrical conduit would need a sweep and not an elbow - I wonder if they put in PVC water pipe and not PVC electrical conduit.

 

[Marctrees]

Stevenanto - Take a few photos so we can be sure we understand.

The 1" gap you are talking about of course.



Marc

 

[abh46]

If a 90 degree turn is required, use a LB there. This will ease the wire pulling.

 

[tfi racing]

I spent like 4 hours running the wire 10 feet at time!

-That's why fish tapes,rope,lube and occasionally a donkey or forklift are typically used.

I was told that this wire is fine in a conduit both above and underground.

-Whoever told you that is clearly unqualified, never take electrical advice from them again.

man just my luck. which wire do you think is the right one?

-I would have just pulled individual conductors if it is piped all the way, if not I would have used either ACWU or NMWU cable,copper is just not worth the extra expense.

what are the issues of running of this wire? is there anyway that i can salvage this. Theres no way the store will be taking back this wire as it was cut to custom length and it aint cheap.

-Realistically, it will work and will likely last past any of our lifetimes. Sadly, it is not rated for your application and is against code and will fail inspection, it is immediately obvious to anyone who knows.

 

[Marctrees]

Still waiting for a photo of the problem area.

There may be an easier solution.

Sounds like you will be Inspected, ....

Depends on how observant/ particular he is.

In practical terms, there MAY be an easy solution.

PHOTO of problem area needed.

Marc

 

[Stevenanto]

Hi all,

thanks for the advice.

I have not been able to take a photo of the problem area but will dig it up to take a photo, the landscaper covered it all up in dirt.

spoke to home depot and they dont wanna take it back at all. they said its cut to measure and nothing that they are willing to do.

 

[Marctrees]

Ya, we need the photo of the problem spot.

Marc

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I spent like 4 hours running the wire 10 feet at time!

I was told that this wire is fine in a conduit both above and underground.

man just my luck. which wire do you think is the right one?

what are the issues of running of this wire? is there anyway that i can salvage this. Theres no way the store will be taking back this wire as it was cut to custom length and it aint cheap.

It took you that long because its the wrong wire. Shouldve used THWN...

Who told you this is the correct wire?

The issue with using this wire underground is that its not rated for wet locations and the paper filler can soak up water like a sponge. NM-b also has a bare ground that will corrode...There is nothing to salvage. It is the wrong wire. PERIOD!

If a 90 degree turn is required, use a LB there. This will ease the wire pulling.

Why not a sweeping elbow?

Hi all,

thanks for the advice.

I have not been able to take a photo of the problem area but will dig it up to take a photo, the landscaper covered it all up in dirt.

spoke to home depot and they dont wanna take it back at all. they said its cut to measure and nothing that they are willing to do.

Who told you originally that this is the correct wire?

If it was someone at home depot then i would demand they take it back.

 

[Bretny]

Since your going to have an inspection i would take the earning of the guys on here and put the proper wire in.

You can pull it out now or pull it out later after you jerked around with trying to shove it through what sounds like to small of a coduit.

Why not just use direct burrial wire?

 

[tfi racing]

The issue with using this wire underground is that its not rated for wet locations and the paper filler can soak up water like a sponge. NM-b also has a bare ground that will corrode...
QUOTE]

Well,not exactly,NMD-90 and NMWU cable may be a bit different up here from what you may be used to. There is no paper filler in either, the conductor insulation is just thicker and perhaps a slightly different compound with NMWU, both cables have the same bare copper bonding conductor.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Well,not exactly,NMD-90 and NMWU cable may be a bit different up here from what you may be used to. There is no paper filler in either, the conductor insulation is just thicker and perhaps a slightly different compound with NMWU, both cables have the same bare copper bonding conductor.

ok thx was not aware of the differences.

Is it rated for outdoor, underground and wet location use?

 

[Stevenanto]

fixed the issue after much arguing with home depot. swapped it out for the correct one! thanks guys!