Smoking Joe
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how many 10 gauge wires (Romex) can fit in a 3/4" conduit?
Wire in conduit
- Thread starter Smoking Joe
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mobiledynamics
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Why not THHN ?
OP
Smoking Joe
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Sorry, I had my helper post the question and they made some incorrect assumptions on what I meant.
I have inherited a fish pond complete with pumps from the previous owner. For whatever reason he chose 10/2 for the UF THHN that he ran to power a 15 amp circuit. The run is 50'...maybe 75' depending on how he ran it underground.
He has two outdoor wet-weather outlets that pop out of the ground and are attached to 4 x 4 posts. He totally half-assed the installation of the outlets, and did not use any wet-weather items, short of the hoods that protect the plugs for the pumps. I'm replacing all the outlets, the boxes, everything less the wire.
On the first outlet he has the 10/2 UF exit a 1" outdoor PVC conduit. The conduit is protecting the UF up the length of the post only.
Problem is all my boxes and PVC are 3/4 and Home Depot is an hour away. Per code, can I run two strands of 10/2 UF in 3/4" outdoor conduit? I have a copy of the code, but it's on my other computer (not accessible).
I have inherited a fish pond complete with pumps from the previous owner. For whatever reason he chose 10/2 for the UF THHN that he ran to power a 15 amp circuit. The run is 50'...maybe 75' depending on how he ran it underground.
He has two outdoor wet-weather outlets that pop out of the ground and are attached to 4 x 4 posts. He totally half-assed the installation of the outlets, and did not use any wet-weather items, short of the hoods that protect the plugs for the pumps. I'm replacing all the outlets, the boxes, everything less the wire.
On the first outlet he has the 10/2 UF exit a 1" outdoor PVC conduit. The conduit is protecting the UF up the length of the post only.
Problem is all my boxes and PVC are 3/4 and Home Depot is an hour away. Per code, can I run two strands of 10/2 UF in 3/4" outdoor conduit? I have a copy of the code, but it's on my other computer (not accessible).
Slowgsr
Well-known member
Two strands of 10/2? 10/2 represents a cable with 2 insulated #10 conductors.
Two 10/2 cables in 3/4" pvc? You can try. Use soap, 10# solid is a pita to pull.
Abandon it, dig it up and burry teck90 do it right.
Per code? who knows. Check your local book. You'd probably be over 40% fill I'd say
Two 10/2 cables in 3/4" pvc? You can try. Use soap, 10# solid is a pita to pull.
Abandon it, dig it up and burry teck90 do it right.
Per code? who knows. Check your local book. You'd probably be over 40% fill I'd say
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OP
Smoking Joe
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Am I using the wrong terminology? It has a hot, a neutral, and a ground. Solid wire. PITA to bend. It is thick. Hard to read. It's defiantly no 12.
I will defiantly redo the whole thing at some point.
I think I can run 10 single strands of 10 in 3/4, but that uf is thick!
I will defiantly redo the whole thing at some point.
I think I can run 10 single strands of 10 in 3/4, but that uf is thick!
alfredeneuman
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Speedy Petey
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Even if you could, the questions is, why would you?
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Speedy Petey
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I am not bothering with doing the math, but I can tell you for sure two 10/2UF are not only not code, but would be nearly physically impossible to do.
Charles (in GA)
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fixed it for 'ya
Speedy Petey
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
UGG another one of these threads! 
I cant figure why someone would make it so hard on themselves by attempting to do this!
Trying to pull 1 let alone TWO 10/2 UF-b cables through 3/4" conduit would be like trying to drive up a really steep grade in 5th gear with a manual transmission and the engine lugging!
Save yourself the frustration and buy 3 spools of #10 THHN/THWN- black white and green!
And if this is for 15a circuits, why not go with #12?
I cant figure why someone would make it so hard on themselves by attempting to do this!
Trying to pull 1 let alone TWO 10/2 UF-b cables through 3/4" conduit would be like trying to drive up a really steep grade in 5th gear with a manual transmission and the engine lugging!
Save yourself the frustration and buy 3 spools of #10 THHN/THWN- black white and green!
And if this is for 15a circuits, why not go with #12?
OP
Smoking Joe
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It didn't look like it would fit. Thanks for the advise. So where the UF comes up out of the ground and runs to the outlet, it needs to be covered where exposed correct? If yes, do I junction at the bottom, and run THHN? I could run 1" conduit to a different box and make the run to the store for a different box and conduit.
He only used conduit where the wire is above ground. The length of conduit up the 4x4 is 18".
I plan to redo the run with a smaller UF wire, but that is not going to be this weekend, and will have to wait for a couple of months. Ditching that by shovel is going to take some time.
He only used conduit where the wire is above ground. The length of conduit up the 4x4 is 18".
I plan to redo the run with a smaller UF wire, but that is not going to be this weekend, and will have to wait for a couple of months. Ditching that by shovel is going to take some time.
OP
Smoking Joe
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I didn't, that's why asked if it was doable first. It maybe another one of these threads, but I appreciate it. I did not find a thread that helped after running the search function, that's why I posted the question.
I appreciate the time and comments, though. It allowed me to be waste deep in water, cleaning out all the leaves and **** from the big pond instead of searching the internet for hours.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
UF-B is UV resistant so it doesnt always need to be in conduit. It needs to be in conduit when it is sunject to damage....However I wouldnt bother with h UF-b. As others have said, i would switch the whole circuit to conduit and THWN...
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Everyone needs to go back and re-read post #3. The OP has 50 ro 75 foot of UF that he needs to re-terminate. Its insane to suggest digging a new trench and running conduit and THWN all the way, even as unreasonable to suggest he somehow do a splice to THWN (which would most likely have to be underground in some sort of waterproof box) to switch to THWN just to run the last 18 inches to a box. The apparent solution is large enough conduit for the two wires to be run in, even if a tight fit (this would not meet the definition of a conduit system anyhow), or use two conduits into a single box, appropriate weather proof design.
There are lots of choices the OP has and the best thing he can do is simply run the two UF cables up in separate conduits, probably 1" or possibly 3/4 inch and use a box like one of the two show, to terminate or junction and provide a receptacle, in a usable, weatherproof box.
Charles
There are lots of choices the OP has and the best thing he can do is simply run the two UF cables up in separate conduits, probably 1" or possibly 3/4 inch and use a box like one of the two show, to terminate or junction and provide a receptacle, in a usable, weatherproof box.
Charles
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
If you install a GFI breaker, you can install the conduit buried just 12" to the top of the conduit.
If the GFI protection is on the end of the circuit, it must be 18" deep.
I don't know how you feel about digging, but I personally would use the GFI breaker because I just hate digging.
With the circuit being 50' - 75', you could install #14s. #10 is very extreme overkill.
If the GFI protection is on the end of the circuit, it must be 18" deep.
I don't know how you feel about digging, but I personally would use the GFI breaker because I just hate digging.
With the circuit being 50' - 75', you could install #14s. #10 is very extreme overkill.