Wiring outside receptacle

[relic7680]

I've been on the GJ for a while, but never in the electrical forum. As far as home electrical goes, I'm a novice at best. So here's the deal: below are pics of an outside outlet on my property. I don't know if it was connected at one time, or just never finished. The big box on the pole is for the house, and the smaller one is for the farm shed just behind where I was standing to take these shots. The 3 strands on the outlet cable are solid copper; colors are black, white, and bare. What goes to what? What other materials do I need? Thanks in advance.

 

[rockwithjason]

it doesn't go anywhere in that breaker box. you would need a sub panel with a 20a breaker mounted in it fed from a panel that has room in it. now you could hook it up illegal by placing the black on one of the hots and the white on the neutral bar and the bare on the ground bar but this is not desirable.

 

[Jbullfrog]

What's in the large panel on the other side?

 

[pattenp]

What's in the big box?

jbullfrog beat me.

 

[madosta]

What does the other big panel look like? Does it have any breakers in it? That romex (wire to the receptacle) will degrade in the elements anyways after a while.

 

[relic7680]

Here's the bigger box (to the house)

 

[Speedy Petey]

Here's the bigger box (to the house)

Nope. You cannot pull power from there either. Even that orange 10/2 is illegal and dangerous. That is a #10 fused at 200A.

 

[pattenp]

Also the orange wire (NM-b) is not rated to be used in conduit below ground (wet locations).

Nope. You cannot pull power from there either. Even that orange 10/2 is illegal and dangerous. That is a #10 fused at 200A.

 

[Junkman]

Here's the bigger box (to the house)

This is the meter socket, and a master disconnect circuit breaker. From this box, there should be only the wires that go to the house panel. All the rest should be removed for safety purposes. If you are intent on using this box, then an electrician can install a rain tight panel under it which will then supply branch circuits to your other out buildings. Then the house panel would have its own circuit breaker out side, and so would the other out buildings.

 

[relic7680]

Wow, glad this is a rental. I think I'll just run an extension cord into the one shed when I want power outside. I have a feeling that bringing all this up to the property owner would either result in indifference or annoyance. This isn't the only suspect work on the place either...

 

[1Garageman]

Wow, glad this is a rental. I think I'll just run an extension cord into the one shed when I want power outside. I have a feeling that bringing all this up to the property owner would either result in indifference or annoyance. This isn't the only suspect work on the place either...

I hope you guys are safe there!

 

[Falcon67]

Wow, glad this is a rental. I think I'll just run an extension cord into the one shed when I want power outside. I have a feeling that bringing all this up to the property owner would either result in indifference or annoyance. This isn't the only suspect work on the place either...

Yea - stay away from all of that. Be safe.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Wow! A number of fire hazards here. The #10 NM(orange wire) and the wire(looks like #2 AL) feeding the smaller 60a disconnect are dangerous. If it were me, i would definitely mention it to the landlord because if there's a fire, the insurance company might not pay a claim due to faulty and incorrect electrical work!

 

[relic7680]

I'm in deep now. Haven't signed a contract on the property....parent company to the one I work for owns the house. Damn.

 

[Zeke]

I'd keep up with this. The guys here can walk you thru this step by step, post by post if necessary. First thing you need to know is where this all can be disconnected. Don't mess with it hot!