I've got a landscaper that is hot to install a fountain outdoors in a yard that looks like the fountain shown in the photo.

The pump is inside a sump well that is a heavy plastic with a removable lid. The sump well is about 18" across and 24" deep. The stone "fingers" are about 4" long, 1" wide, and 2-3" up and down.

The pump is 120 volt with a 16 foot cord. I suggested laying the cord in a slot between the stone fingers. The landscaper, of course, doesn't want to see the cord or a slot at all.

400.8 has me stumped.

Any creative, compliant solutions? ?

ElectricAL

Did you consider a submersible junction box?
http://www.georgia-fountain.com/gefco/ee105.pdf

[This message has been edited by txsparky (edited 06-01-2004).]

Looks like Part F of NEC Article 680 is worth reviewing. Is the {submersible?} pump assembly listed or labeled? Sixteen feet seems quite long except for a vacuum cleaner or drop light.

There may be some allowance for treating it similar to a wet-niche light fixture.




[This message has been edited by Bjarney (edited 06-01-2004).]

Al,

I'm not clear on where the pump itself is, but can it somehow be located some distance away in a conveniently "out of sight" location?

That way there would just be water piping going to this thing which could be buried and out of sight.

Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 06-01-2004).]

Donnie,

Interesting. . .hadn't thought about cutting the cord cap off. There's probably a listing issue around that for the pump.

Bill,

The current idea is to place the pump in the sump. The sump is in the center of the "stone flower". The center two concentric rings of stone fingers rest on the sump lid and come up with it.

Bjarney,
Given that the sump is only 18" across, there will be less than 10' of cord in the fountain. . .As I read this, there is no max length limit outside of the fountain.

My question. . .What is an approved wiring enclosure, that isn't a raceway? 400.8(6)

[This message has been edited by ElectricAL (edited 06-01-2004).]

90.3 allows article 680 to "supplement or modify" the first 4 chapters.

Which allows us to run cords to wet-niche lighting, fountain lights and pumps in conduit.

Earl

That's a revelation to me. So, if I size a PVC conduit large enough to slide the pump cord and cord cap through, and the pump is used for a fountain, that is, Chapter 6 Special Equipment, then the raceway can become an approved enclosure.

Cool!

After the cord is in, I could plug the male adapters, or bell ends, with duct seal, thus allowing ready removal, and run the PVC from the shrubs at the edge of the stone to the edge of the sump.

So, if I size a PVC conduit large enough to slide the pump cord and cord cap through, and the pump is used for a fountain, that is, Chapter 6 Special Equipment, then the raceway can become an approved enclosure.

Hey, I suggested that the other night, was like the second reply and for some reason it's not here now.

-Hal

Ahh, I found it.
http://www.mikeholt.com/codeforum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=003762

[This message has been edited by hbiss (edited 06-03-2004).]

[This message has been edited by hbiss (edited 06-03-2004).]

[This message has been edited by hbiss (edited 06-03-2004).]

Hal,

Thanks for your earlier suggestion. The thing I wasn't understanding was what Earl pointed out. I was hung up on an un-modified 400.8(6). Some of the scales have fallen from my eyes.

That's what we are all here for....Now, for some of the scales from my eyes....??

Earl

So here's a follow on question:

Am I right in understanding 400.1 is going to exempt this submerssible pump cord, running inside a 1" PVC to the in-use GFI receptacle, from 300.5?
In other words, it seems to me that there is no depth requirement for PVC (used as an enclosure per 680.51(E)). Sound right?