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#87443 03/09/04 11:24 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 196
C
Cindy Offline OP
Member
314.28(C) says boxes need covers compatible with the box and suitable for the conditions of use, and 300.5(E) says direct-buried conductors or cables shall be permitted to be spliced or tapped without the use of splice boxes. The splices or taps shall be made in accordance with 110.14(B), "Wire connectors or splicing means installed on conductors for direct burial shall be listed for such use."

So I go to troubleshoot a job last week and see sprinkler boxes enclosing weatherproof metal boxes, which should be ok to meet 314.29 for accessible boxes, but opening the j-boxes I see many boxes have an inch of water in them as the gaskets are not meant to be watertight, and some are open with mud in them. They used the blue wire-nuts with silicone sealant, but not done well, and some of the grounded conductors were nicked.

Sorry... so now for the question... am I missing a code section for boxes set on the ground in a sprinkler enclosure that would require sealed conduits entering these boxes, or that would not allow using the aluminum boxes we use for outdoor surface mounted work? The stainless steel covers and full 4-inch square black gaskets aren't going to keep moisture out. And 300.5(G) says conduits through which moisture may contact energized live parts shall be sealed or plugged at either or both ends... but if they used the sealed wire-nuts maybe that doesn't apply.

Sorry again... but 314.15(A) says in damp or wet locations boxes shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture from entering or accumulating within the box and have to be be listed for use in wet locations. So if I put this kind of weatherproof but non-watertight box inside a sprinkler box on the ground, there is no way it will not collect water here in Oregon, so is that the answer? You can only use watertight boxes in the ground, or you may as well direct bury the wires and use the watertight splices? And those blue gel filled wire-nuts aren't meant to be used in underwater conditions are they?

Thanks... sorry it was so long.

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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 172
W
Member
What voltage are we talking about?

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 751
E
Member
Are you saying you found "Bell" boxes in the ground? The only boxes I know of approved for UG are the "Quazite" type plastic or cement/fiberglass handholes. They do make splice devices approved for under water.

Earl


Earl
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 196
C
Cindy Offline OP
Member
These are 125v circuits...

The splice kits I was talking about are like the 3M company makes, for instance... DBY-6 and DBR-6 UL Listed for 600V direct bury and submersion, UL File No. E102356... here's a data sheet... http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?yyyyyygeqJMySazyLazyyyb9X3tZeAqJ-

I think i posted some photos here once... can I still make avatars like 100kb and post them in a message? if that's ok, then I can include a few <100kb pictures of the boxes and splices

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
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Cindy;

Nice to see you again!
How's everything going?

Scott35


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 172
W
Member
Cindy
You are on the right track with the DB kits from 3M. These are better than the gell filled wirenuts. I would prefer one of 3M's resin kits if the budget would allow, and it were available for the conductors (size and number) that you have. Good luck with the fix, and it sounds like they should have had you do the original installation.

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 196
C
Cindy Offline OP
Member
hi scott35.. way busy, wish i had more time to visit and read things here.. you guys have a lot of good things to say... never enough time tho.. and like someone famous must have said, it seems like the more you learn, the more you are aware of that you dont know.
I'm not real critical of others who wired before me.. especially when i dont know the answers for sure, but this job wasnt done right.

anyway, i hope everyone here is still doing well, amking lots of money and enjoying whatever


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