Direct burial wire

[ParadigmDawg]

Do you think it will be fine to run this wire in the same trench as my sprinklers.

My other choices are: run it in the trench with the low voltage landscape lighting or dig a 3rd trench. I prefer the first choice.

Any issues here?

 

[Seth=L]

how deep is the trench?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It will be 6".

how deep is the trench?

 

[TLS Guy]

Do you think it will be fine to run this wire in the same trench as my sprinklers.

My other choices are: run it in the trench with the low voltage landscape lighting or dig a 3rd trench. I prefer the first choice.

Any issues here?

What type of wire are you burying? You will need to follow local electrical codes that apply.

 

[Seth=L]

At that depth moisture may affect it anyway. Just because moisture doesn't directly enter the wire doesn't mean that condensation won't get into the wiring unless the wire is specifically design to inhibit it. If it is designed that way running it with the sprinkler system should not affect it's longevity.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I don't have the specifics yet, I will ask my Electrician when he is out here. Since my yard will be torn up and I have to redo my sprinkler system and resod the yard, I just firgure it will be a good time to run speaker wire to the back part of the yard, incase I ever want to add speakers back there.

My wife already told me to put them back there so I guess it will happen regardless.

What type of wire are you burying? You will need to follow local electrical codes that apply.

 

[sawzalot]

I would think peace of mind is in order so you dont second guess, I would buy a few lengths of cpvc 1/2 " and run my wire through that and put it in the first trench.I know its rated for ground contact and so on but the pipe is a minimal expense for the peace of mind knowing the wire is Dry and will be there as long as you need it to be, like forever.

 

[Rickster71]

Hi Greg,

I’ve used low voltage landscaping wire for that type of situation, and it works very well.
It is a direct burial type wire.
I ran mine around the edge of my patio, and covered it with large river rock. (no conduit)

One problem I see with running it with the sprinkler; if a sprinkler head or piping has to be repaired, I’ll bet they damage your speaker wires, when they dig it up.
¾” - Conduit sounds like a nice idea, though I’d still use a water proof wire or the landscaping wire, because chances are 8 out of 10 times the conduit will fill with ground water.
If you’re doing it yourself, and do end up going with conduit, PM me and I’ll tell you what else to watch for.

Regards,
Rick

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am doing it myself, I could always fill the trench partially after I install the PVC for the sprinkler and then put they wire a little closer to ground level. I could also just lay the wire directly under the new sod and keep it away from the trench if that would work.

 

[sawzalot]

Hi Greg,

I’ve used low voltage landscaping wire for that type of situation, and it works very well.
It is a direct burial type wire.
I ran mine around the edge of my patio, and covered it with large river rock. (no conduit)

One problem I see with running it with the sprinkler; if a sprinkler head or piping has to be repaired, I’ll bet they damage your speaker wires, when they dig it up.
¾” - Conduit sounds like a nice idea, though I’d still use a water proof wire or the landscaping wire, because chances are 8 out of 10 times the conduit will fill with ground water.
If you’re doing it yourself, and do end up going with conduit, PM me and I’ll tell you what else to watch for.

Regards,
Rick

Using the waterproof wire is a great idea along with pvc pipe , but surely you can keep groundwater out of the pipe I mean these pipes are meant to keep water in so I think they will keep it out as long as all fittings are glued properly and your start and finish get sealed up with a cap then drill a hole just to fit the wire and hit it a silicone sealant,just my thought.

 

[Padge1]

How long of a run are you looking at? If it were me, I would use the conduit. Aside from the added protection from the elements, shovels, etc., it will make future expansion/troubleshooting that much easier. From a purely technical perspective, I believe you could get away with your plan, but I'd be nervous with the wires that close to the lawn surface. Just curious – do you have a patio/seating area at the back of your yard, or is that a future project too? Best of luck with your project!

 

[Rickster71]

Using the waterproof wire is a great idea along with pvc pipe , but surely you can keep groundwater out of the pipe I mean these pipes are meant to keep water in so I think they will keep it out as long as all fittings are glued properly and your start and finish get sealed up with a cap then drill a hole just to fit the wire and hit it a silicone sealant,just my thought.

I agree it should, and if conditions are very good, it will stay dry.

What I’ve found, is that conditions while gluing pipe in a trench, on a job site, aren’t always ideal.
There are too many variables: Water, sand, mud, gluing technique, along with the weather being too hot or cold. Or even if the trench is back filled too soon and the glue doesn’t get a chance to set-up, the weight of the fill will loosen the glued joint.
Don’t forget plumbing pipe and electrical conduit are different, and use different glues.

 

[Rickster71]

I am doing it myself, I could always fill the trench partially after I install the PVC for the sprinkler and then put they wire a little closer to ground level. I could also just lay the wire directly under the new sod and keep it away from the trench if that would work.

I still picture a shovel, or a tent stake, or a horse shoe pin going through it, if it's that shallow. Picture that happening a few years down the road, when you forget exactly where the wires are.

 

[pzaur]

Using the waterproof wire is a great idea along with pvc pipe , but surely you can keep groundwater out of the pipe I mean these pipes are meant to keep water in so I think they will keep it out as long as all fittings are glued properly and your start and finish get sealed up with a cap then drill a hole just to fit the wire and hit it a silicone sealant,just my thought.

Don't forget that the pipe has to be open to allow the wire in at both ends. The openings are probably where most of the water enters and then settles into the pipes.

-pat

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The runs will be about 75ft.

The only thing we have set up right now is a covered patio that has my zone 3 system in it. They start building our pool and decking in about 3 weeks and they will tear through our exsisting sprinkler and they will tear up most of my grass. At that point it will be easy to run what I need and then sod on top of it.

I am putting the new speakers on the opposite side of the pool because if you have the music loud enough for the people in the pool to hear it, it would be too loud for people on the patio.

How long of a run are you looking at? If it were me, I would use the conduit. Aside from the added protection from the elements, shovels, etc., it will make future expansion/troubleshooting that much easier. From a purely technical perspective, I believe you could get away with your plan, but I'd be nervous with the wires that close to the lawn surface. Just curious – do you have a patio/seating area at the back of your yard, or is that a future project too? Best of luck with your project!

 

[sawzalot]

Don't forget that the pipe has to be open to allow the wire in at both ends. The openings are probably where most of the water enters and then settles into the pipes.

-pat

Sure I can appreciate that thought but like I said, two end caps with a hole drilled in them to allow the wires through and a touch of silicone should definitely seal er up good, actually one end really should end or start for that matter in the house,just one guys idea.

 

[pzaur]

Sure I can appreciate that thought but like I said, two end caps with a hole drilled in them to allow the wires through and a touch of silicone should definitely seal er up good, actually one end really should end or start for that matter in the house,just one guys idea.

Definitely like the idea! I'll have to store that one away if I ever do sound in the backyard beyond the patio.

-pat

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am doing it myself, I could always fill the trench partially after I install the PVC for the sprinkler and then put they wire a little closer to ground level. I could also just lay the wire directly under the new sod and keep it away from the trench if that would work.

But that would expose the wire to more damage by digging around irrigation pipes for repair. If you bury it deeper, you should be better off.
Or, just run that gray plastic for the wire near the irrigation pipes although if there is an irrigation line break, you need room around it to repair.

 

[Rickster71]

Hi Greg,
I pictured your source amp being outside in a cabana area, or similar structure. So with that in mind, landscaping wire would work well. BUT, if your source is inside the house, and the wires will run inside the walls, we’ll have to use CL-2 wall rated speaker wire.

The more I think about your pool speakers; the more I wonder if you could make a deal with your electrician to run the conduit for the speaker wires.

Just a thought.

Rick

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think I have decided to just run the second set of speakers on each corner of the house vs. on the opposite side of the pool. I really don't have a good way to get the wire from the attic to the ground since the house is all brick and I don't want to run anything on the outside of it.

I can make it where the volume of the patio speakers can play lower than the corner mounted speakers thus not ruining conversation for the people on the patio yet I can turn up the corner speakers so people in the pool can hear it.

Hi Greg,
I pictured your source amp being outside in a cabana area, or similar structure. So with that in mind, landscaping wire would work well. BUT, if your source is inside the house, and the wires will run inside the walls, we’ll have to use CL-2 wall rated speaker wire.

The more I think about your pool speakers; the more I wonder if you could make a deal with your electrician to run the conduit for the speaker wires.

Just a thought.

Rick