Hello,

I have a small fountain on my patio and am planning on powering it with a heavy duty extension cord that will do the following:
- run undergound in a 1.25 inch white PVC for about 30 ft
- PVC will be buried about 16 inches down
- ends where cord enters/exits the PVC and all joints of the PVC will be
Well sealed
- cord will occasionally be plugged into a GFCI outlet on side of house as
Needed

Do you see any major problems with this setup, other than it not meeting code?

Many Thanks

Yes! Contrary to many beliefs, the NEC code is a safety document. It is not an "How to manual."

Consequently when you do something in violation of the NEC Code, you are doing something that is inherently unsafe. People can be electrocuted or severely burned by 120 Volts. Get the job done correctly, that way you won't have to tell anyone how sorry you are if they get injured by doing it your way.

NEC code does not allow for an extension cord to be used as an underground feeder.

You must use a cable or individual conductors that are rated for "Wet" areas. They also must be protected by a GFCI receptacle or breaker.

If your going through all this trouble you outlined, why not do it properly and have it meet Code?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by p51Mustang

other than it not meeting code?

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I suspect that you will do the installation however you see fit, even thou it will not meet Code, and it may work fine for years, however you need to be prepared to accept any risk of injury to other people that may occur.

TK asked the perfect question. Certainly the hardest part of this situation is burying the pvc... why not just bury the correct size, and just wire to that GFCI outlet? If you had to purchase the cord, I'd bet the cost of the cord would be nearly the same as the cost of the right materials (minus the pvc) and you would have a safe installation.