FASTFJR

I'm having patio pavers installed in about a month. I need to run some PVC pipe for future electrical and was wondering how large of a diameter do I need to go?

Thanks

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strikerthree

I would run atleast a 4" pipe you cant go wrong with it being bigger you never know in the future if you want to run more cables

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triumphrick

What in the heck could you possibly be needing, power wise, that a 1" schedule 80 pvc couldn't handle?? You could run up to 50 amps in that conduit (depending upon distance). I say schedule 80 to make sure nothing gets crushed....

Save the 4" pipe for a french drain....

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Wolakrab

What size service are you thinking about using in the future? If it's not more than 100 amps, there's no need to go as big as 4". If you are concerned about the ease of pulling wires, then go with 2". That size is good for 200 amps, and it still pretty cheap. Once you get above 2" the price goes up considerably. That will also give you the extra space for a larger size wire to accommodate voltage drop over longer distances. Don't forget to stub up the conduit above ground and put a pipe cap over the open end. I'd go ahead and pull a small guage wire(like a #14) through the pipe so you can mark the conduit in case you do any digging in the future.
Shedule 80 is overkill, ulness you plan on having heavy machinery run over it. Shedule 40 should be adequate, and it's much easier to find.

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FASTFJR

Sorry guys I should have been more clear. It will be for a hot tub next year (50 amp)

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Wilderness System 12.0,14.5 Kayaks

Dead Horse

1in or 2in conduit [plastic]- get a sweep where you want to come out of the ground- -use uf wire- uf is underground feeder- go to Lowe's or home depot - look at the elect,conduit--the conduit will be gray colored--

be sure to use uf wire--

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Wolakrab

No need to use UF if you are running the wire inside the conduit. "UF" does means underground feed, which can be directly buried without being run in conduit. Any underground conduit is considered a wet environment, and UF is rated for that. You can use THHN-2 which is also rated for use in wet environments--and it's a cheaper product than UF. By recommending UF, I think Dead Horse is referring to that rating, and it is important that whatever wire you pull, it HAS to be rated for use in wet environments.
You may want to just use UF without conduit, but the pipe will offer extra protection.

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Elusive

Please forgive strikerthree. As a union electrician, 4" is the smallest he can work with. He will also recommend 6 guys to install it (1 working, 5 watching)

Running UF while unnecessary, is frequently used in case the PVC is ever compromised

THHN is not cable, but rather individual conductors (4 would be necessary) which is too complicated for a DIY project

2" PVC and NM-B (Romex) is the way to go. Depending on the length, go with 8-3 (less than 50') or 6-3 (greater than 50')

You may want to install a 2nd 2" conduit in case you want low voltage stuff like phone or music

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Wolakrab

Elusive has a good point about the extra conduit for the low voltage. However, NM-B is not rated for use in a wet environment, and any underground raceway is classified as such in the latest edition of the NEC. For ease of installation, UF is probably the way to go as you will not have to pull individual conductors as would be the case with THHN. You are good with using the sizes of cable that Elusive suggests, depending on how long the run is.

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Deep Run

Whatever you decide to use make sure its deep enough so the contractors don't hit it when they install the pavers, 1' should be deep enough, caution tape on top of it might help too.

strikerthree

Has nothing to do with any of that and I'm no a Union electrician I recommended the 4" because who knows years later if you add a big shed or garage on the other side of the patio you will have a big enough conduit ran to run a service to it to use a 2 gauge wire and if you ever wanted to run CATV and telephone also

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davedowneast

I'm not an electrician, but I don't think you can run cable and phone or water for that matter, in the same conduit as "line" voltage. Maybe I'm wrong, but I ran 3 separate conduits to my garage/shop.

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coddock

LMAO...I also have a good buddy who is union;u/r right on the moey!!!

Also right on with your suggestions;even a third pipe while you are there for future use.Cheap now...huge latter.

strikerthree

code here is no water in same conduit but can be in same excavation, you can run CATV and Telco in same pipe as long as its not from the street to house has to be seperate there

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strikerthree

While your doing this you might want to run a line for gas out there you never know you can leave it dead its just so you have an option

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Dead Horse

hell while your at it build a tunnel out there then you wont get wet going to the hot tub
fastfjr-- run the conduit - run uf feeder - hook quick disconnect to it - hook up your hot tub-- enjoy--

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FASTFJR

Thanks guys, ended up buying 2 inch PVC. The stone mason will bury it when they start the pavers.

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Wilderness System 12.0,14.5 Kayaks

RI Builder

Many good suggestions. I will add my .02.

I would not run just one pipe chase, but rather several. It is funny how the patio with hot tub morphs into an outdoor living room eventually complete with refrigerator, direct lined gas grill, hot and cold running water, outdoor shower, audio and video feeds, lighting, misters, ceiling fan. The time is NOW to consider all of this and run your chases. It is much cheaper to bury pipe now than wish later on that you had done it now.

Also, be sure to dead head a pull line (or three) in each chase for pulling wires.

As for the pipe size, well you already bought 2", but, I have never heard an electrician, plumber, HVAC, etc. sub say - "Gee I wish I had less room in this chase"

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Flot

I think you'll be fine with 2". I'd agree that you'd be smart to run an extra 1" alongside. Having spent much of last weekend dealing with 1/2" and 3/4" conduit, I am pretty sure 2" will be just fine.

strikerthree

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