Underground Junction Box for Outdoor Lights

[AeroMoto]

My house has a switched wire going outside that went to what I guess was a light post in the past. There's nothing out there now except for a bare wire...YIKES!

I want to put my own light post in outside and eventually run some outdoor lighting for the side of the house, and for security reasons. I'm not for sure if the wire is ran in conduit now, but if it's not, it will be.

My plan is to run wire in conduit to an underground junction box. In that box have a GFCI outlet so that I can plug in Christmas lights or what not out front. Also from that box have my additional outdoor lighting.

So what's the best way of doing all this? UF wire to a underground junction box? Then how do I go about properly wiring in a GFCI outlet that is stilll weatherproof? I'm pretty competent in wiring, just never done much outside and I'm not sure what's out there on the market to ensure weatherproof junctions. Any help is appreciated. TIA

 

[TractorJeff]

If it was me, I would put the outlet at the first light post. They make outdoor rated gasketed boxes with covers over the receptacles. But "technically" I believe it needs to be 18 or 24 inches off from the ground on a post. I know wire can be laid in a trench with no conduit after you reach a certain depth, then come up out of the ground with conduit to protect it and seal into the box. Need to read up on the actual Code to get this right!

 

[AeroMoto]

Ideally I'd like to keep the outlet above ground, but I just can't see any way to do it. My parents have a light post, and it has a base around 12" diameter. It's an old timey light post with 5 lights, but I just want a simple post. So I just don't think there's enough room physically to put an outlet in the post.

 

[wkearney99]

How about something like these:
http://www.pedocpower.com/product_gallery.html

There are ways to add one to a post:
http://store.winselectric.com/adlapocoou3.html
No idea how universal those are, though.

Me, I'd want the GFCI as close to the house, or directly on it, if possible. While re-using existing wire might seem like a good idea, sometimes it's best to do it right even if it means doing it over.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I would use a GFCI breaker or a GFCI mounted on the house. That way if something goes wrong with the wire and someone were to touch it, the GFCI would provide protection for the person.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I would use a GFCI breaker or a GFCI mounted on the house. That way if something goes wrong with the wire and someone were to touch it, the GFCI would provide protection for the person.

Not only that, but the burial depth with GFI protection is 12", as opposed to 18" without it.

There is no such thing as a truly underground box that may be buried all the way. The cover must be accessible to get to the wires.

 

[cybrdyke]

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not only that, but the burial depth with GFI protection is 12", as opposed to 18" without it.

There is no such thing as a truly underground box that may be buried all the way. The cover must be accessible to get to the wires.

that and the box should be water tight so it doesnt get flooded....

 

[wkearney99]

I don't know of any reliable way to have an outlet "underground" and still allow wires to be plugged into it. There'd need to be some sort of access hole for the cord(s) and that'd present a water leak problem. Thus it's typical to install the outlet in a box stubbed out on the top of some outdoor conduit. Using a weather-resistant enclosure covering the outlet itself.

For low voltage installs like sprinkers you'd use an in-ground box.
https://www.google.com/search?q=orbit+in-ground+box
But they're not intended for AC line voltage.

 

[alfredeneuman]

For low voltage installs like sprinkers you'd use an in-ground box.
https://www.google.com/search?q=orbit+in-ground+box
But they're not intended for AC line voltage.

Here's one
https://www.platt.com/platt-electri...tle-Precast/09101017/product.aspx?zpid=512934

 

[wkearney99]

Right, but those are pull boxes intended only as in-between points where a sealed connection is going to be used inside of them. NOT for popping the lid and connecting something directly to an exposed outlet. They're geared toward providing a point to get at enclosed boxes on conduit, NOT for outlets.

There's typically a nasty amount of humidity inside most boxes, so you shouldn't use one for anything that'd have exposed connections, like an outlet.

 

[Slowgsr]

I've worked in pits for 600v parking lot lighting, basically a man hole cover. All the conduits end in this pit and the joints have to be watertight. They literally fill with water at times. It's nasty.

 

[Norcal]

that and the box should be water tight so it doesnt get flooded....

Pretty hard to avoid just need to use the proper connector, the average wire nut will not cut it.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Right, but those are pull boxes intended only as in-between points where a sealed connection is going to be used inside of them. NOT for popping the lid and connecting something directly to an exposed outlet.

Agreed

I missed the part where he said he wanted a receptacle in the box.

An underground GFI outlet is a VERY bad idea.

In fact any underground outlets is a bad idea

 

[AeroMoto]

Looks like I'm going to put in a GFCI switch, then run wire in conduit to the lamp post. I want to put an outlet on the outside to plug in things like Christmas lights. Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[wkearney99]

Be sure to consider running power to the outlets and the light separately. That way you could control the outlets and the light on their own separate switches. Just make sure whatever wire you use for the outlet and any switch that controls it is rated handle enough amperage for anything that might get plugged into it. Like a lawn mower or other power tools.