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Exposed PVC is OK as long as it is ummm, schedule 80 (I think). The open PVC would not be OK, nor would the exposed cable.


EMT cannot be run underground, so PVC would be necessary there. The cable should be in some sort of pipe to protect it from damage and sunlight (EMT, rigid or PVC).

Poor planning is poor planning ad nauseum. I see this kind of thing all the time.

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

Exposed PVC is OK as long as it is ummm, schedule 80 (I think).

Correct, and the Sch 80 is required to run up to 8 feet above grade or to the first enclosure, whichever is lower.

The open PVC would not be OK, nor would the exposed cable.

The raceway should have some type of fitting on its end. *IF* the cable is rated for underground feeder (UF cable), then the cable itself is okay to go into the ground (but the Sch 80 PVC is required to extend down the first 18" below grade, where the UF is required to be buried 24" down).

All raceways are required to be terminated in a proper fitting. In this case, that does not mean a watertight or weather tight fitting if that is sunlight resistant UF cable, but the PVC would need, at the very least, say, a bushing, or even a busing with a cable grommet in it. *IF* the cable *is not* UF or some other cable suitable for underground use, then the cable *is not allowed* to be used underground, whether in a conduit or not. Electrical conduits may be discontinuous, are not tested, listed, or labeled to be 'watertight' and are assumed to allow water into them (they do) and threaded conduits have threads which are not tapered to create a water tight seal when tightened, the threads are straight and are designed to make a good 'effectively grounded' continuity across the threaded joint.

EMT cannot be run underground, so PVC would be necessary there.

Correct.

The cable should be in some sort of pipe to protect it from damage and sunlight (EMT, rigid or PVC).

Unless the cable is sunlight resistant (talking about above ground here).

First of all, we need to know exactly what type of cable is used. For example, Romex is not suitable for wet locations ... while UF is.

The pipe may simply be a sleeve for mechanical protection. As such, even Sched 40 PVC or EMT (358.10B) might be acceptable. One really can't say without looking at the location in greater depth.

If, in fact, this is a change in wiring method ... then a junction box (conduit body might be OK) with the proper fittings is required.

Originally Posted by John Steinke

The pipe may simply be a sleeve for mechanical protection. As such, even Sched 40 PVC or EMT (358.10B) might be acceptable. One really can't say without looking at the location in greater depth.

John,

Neither Sch 40 nor EMT is not allowed to be used there.

(bold and underlining are mine)

Originally Posted by Jeff Eastman

Electrical cable routed from roof and then put into an open end PVC that is coming out of the ground. Would you recommend installing cable in EMT and removing the PVC?

"coming out of the ground", that's key here, and that is why neither Sch 40 nor EMT is not allowed to be used.

300.5 Underground Installations. (bold and underlining are mine)
- (D) Protection from Damage. Direct-buried conductors and cables shall be protected from damage in accordance with (1) through (5).
- - (1) Emerging from Grade. Direct-buried conductors and enclosures emerging from grade shall be protected by enclosures or raceways extending from the minimum cover distance required by 300.5(A) below grade to a point at least 2.5 m (8 ft) above finished grade. In no case shall the protection be required to exceed 450 mm (18 in.) below finished grade.
- - (4) Enclosure or Raceway Damage. Where the enclosure or raceway is subject to physical damage, the conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, Schedule 80 rigid nonmetallic conduit, or equivalent.

That raceway is subject to physical damage and thus must meet the above "shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, Schedule 80 rigid nonmetallic conduit, or equivalent.", neither Sch 40 nor EMT is not listed as an option.