DIY Pulling Buriable Electrical through PVC

This worked great and we passed state inspections for the buried wire hookup and started the barn. Easy way to pull those stubborn electrical lines through the 2 inch conduit on longer runs. Here we are starting out a barn build and we wanted to show how we ran the heavy aluminium wire through the buriable PVC pipe to make it easier than feeding it through or doing one piece at a time sliding on the PVC.

[@topfield47]

Recently I was quite desperate to work out how to push the reticulation cables through about 15 metres of poly pipe. We had tried a few things, nothing worked and tempers began to flare. I turned to You Tube for inspiration and luckily saw this video before looking too far. When I suggested it to the males (husband and male neighbour), they accepted the idea with some skepticism but it worked beautifully and what we had tried for hours to do was completed within 10 minutes. So a very big thank you from me in Perth, Western Australia.

[@normferguson2769]

I had a short buried run to a hot tub (about 5m) and installed all the loose PVC fittings and conduit in the trench. I then pulled the cable through each piece the full distance, and then glued the fittings. It saved a bunch of pulling and pushing.

[@simonjones6133]

genius, i love the idea of grading up from string to rope to cable and using a vacuum. Ty so much for posting this

[@whipwhiphco9430]

A grocery bag works better on the end than paper towel just so you know. It’s really cool we do it all the time I love being a electrician

[@AggressivelyMediocre]

The string and shopvac trick was genius. Props to whoever came up with that idea.

[@eddiekross2130]

Electricians been doin' that for 40 years, at least.

[@AW-jw2jd]

LOVE the vacuum/string/rope idea! Even I can do that! BTW, I'm envying your butter-soft dirt. I live on rocky-boulder terrain that necessitates a jackhammer just to dig a single hole. My shovel still looks brand new after 5 years because it's useless, lol! Thank you so much!

[@acoustic4037]

Your hubbie is THE Man! A real digging machine! As for myself, I am extremely allergic to shovels, can't get near one.

[@salvation1449]

Enjoyed your video. Awesome to see a family working together

[@andyhunter4869]

Loved the shop vac idea to pull the string through!

[@ericstandefer9138]

I want to see a video of your hubby digging that trench. That's some serious work.

[@vincentandrasko]

The USA needs more Mom's like you !

[@SillyPutty3700]

I am an electrical contractor and while over all you did a fine job I would like to leave a few comments for others that might be contemplating a similar project. Code is actually 18" of cover on top of the conduit not just a ditch 18" deep under a driveway 24" of cover is required which includes the thickness of your pavement. That is National Electric Code article 310.5. You passed your inspection so no harm no foul and it is highly unlikely anything will aver be an issue. PVC cement is a requirement not an option. A baggie tied like a balloon with a hole near the back works great with shop vac also. Conduit is typically completely installed before blowing or sucking the string and pulling the wire. Getting individual strands of XHHW AL is typically less expensive than twisted cable and easier to pull. I would also avoid the factory 45 in the middle of the run it makes the wire pull easier if you had cut the corner of the ditch off a little 2" PVC would wrap around it easily. We typically dig the ditch as strait as possible to avoid that kind of thing. When we have to wrap a curve like that we will glue several sections together and leave them in the sun for a couple of hours while digging to make it easier to wrap the curve.

[@chuckkillawood8229]

Damn, can't just say nice job, if she were a contractor, all of that would have happened, family saved a shitload of money, not everyone likes the contractor police comments, sometimes we just appreciate when folks can just get it done on their own. Good job girls.

[@nathanh4237]

@@chuckkillawood8229 The reply seemed perfectly cordial and informative?? he even started saying they did a fine job and won't have any problems.... more information doesn't hurt.

[@HieuNguyen-sh6ur]

Both the video and this comment were extremely informative. @chuck killawood- no reason to shit on a contractor offering good advice. BTW, he did say "fine job"

[@hhmm4274]

And I think this long distance need small manholes to help for pulling or maintenance

[@brikshoe6259]

I appreciate the technical info to go along with the fine job they did. I'll make the observation that the 18" is frost line depth in some areas, but all in all, if someone is digging without getting the land flagged, they are going to hit that conduit even at 18". I found it intriguing and I like the concept that you would avoid curves. However, I'm not as keen on the idea that the conduit has to be in the hole before running the wires -- that seems more difficult. Finally, PVC cement that doesn't require primer seems like the way to go.

[@LogicalUnitZero]

Excellent trick with the shop vac! You just saved me a lot of hassle. ;)

[@bamamike1013]

Great video. To the point & educational. About to do about 180’, from the house to the new workshop.

[@theooogirl3495]

You have a good man to hand dig that all alone. I had to do 50 ft in rocky soil with huge concrete chunks, im still not even 24inches deep yet.......serenity now! We had to do 250 ft too, we got a ditch witch for that and im glad we did.

[@greenhalgh1234]

Thank you so much. Really helped with our garden project! I dug a trench and put some ducting pipe in, slabbed over it, this was a really easy way to get my electrical wire through! Thank you!!

[@brikshoe6259]

Love the rag with the shop vac trip! Thanks for posting.

[@hugheshomeimprovementssp4055]

Common practice, it's called a mouse in the trade

[@CichlidNirvana]

Brilliant idea with the string and shop vac. Looking forward to the future vids.

[@Gizmologist1]

Eletrical wholesale house carry a product called Jet Line that is designed for that exactly

[@ryeisenman]

In many areas it's required to run a piece of foil warning tape at 12" depth in the trench.

[@RobertsMind]

Awesome video and you posted on my birthday. Thank you. Keep the great content coming.

[@socialghost4400]

That was an awesome idea with using a vacuum to get the small rope through....good stuff....subscribed!

[@erbewayne6868]

Use Mason cord as your string to give you enough strength to avoid breaking.

[@KITESWJS]

This was is an excellent video, thank you for sharing it, I have a similar project coming up so this information will really help.

[@davep6977]

Good job. I was an electrician for 20+ yrs. We did it the same way. The small is called a pull string and tying it to a grocery store plastic bag works good. We used to call it "casper on a line" because people use the same idea to make Halloween decorations. A little more of a pointed serv (build a cone out of your where you tie it on ) will help and always pull into the bell of the conduit. All said, you did a great job.

[@larrylewinn1]

Great tip. I can't believe those kids were able to dig that trench with those plastic shovels.

[@heroknaderi]

Very cool idea on pulling the wire👍

[@dennismadigan2023]

That was serious work for one day. I liked the shop vac idea. I have a similar project coming up. 100ft, maybe direct bury 8g or conduit. Right now ( spring) the ground is very wet. I'm going to try knocking in an 18in. spade and just wedge open the ground. I seen a guy do it on KZbin, fast and no digging. Nice job you have done

[@eddiepoppet5884]

Shop and VAC: Ingenious! Will use your technique this weekend.

[@RMSpeltzFarm]

Eddie Poppet thanks it does work

[@SkilledEddie]

It's not their technique electricians have been doing this.

[@robgarland940]

Yeah, these folks didn't pioneer this idea, LOL. Electricians have been doing this for many years. Nice of these folks to make a video of it though.

[@robp1330]

I really enjoyed that idea 💡!!! You’re a genius

[@jasonrush9374]

Thise flimsy plastic bags from the store work good also for sucking in string

[@chomper4x4]

Funny i didnt think of a vacuum when i did mine. I did the opposite and blew it through with a compressor, worked great also . Nice video, ty ,good job.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

I had to laugh when I saw the child labor at the beginning. Thanks for sharing; this video made my day 🤓

[@MarkJohnson-du2bc]

vacuum and string method is brilliant, I have seen draw cords pulled through with a nylon draw tape but this is the way to go.

[@davidevans6207]

Brilliant idea with the string!

[@alabiadeboye7043]

Great work. Thank you for the knowledge sharing.

[@jadesystem]

Great instructional video. Its great to see women/family as DIYers. Gender and age does not matter regarding the will and desire to become proficient with a learned skill. Its a gratification that is both rewarding and satisfying of your endless possibilities. Being self-sustaining has its advantages. Thanks for the video.

[@ChrisBeardsley]

Well produced and good info. Thanks for the video!

[@MrKlyushin]

Thanks a lot for an idea with the vacumCleaner!!! I will use this lifehack in a few days while making a similar project ;)

[@DailyBrusher]

The little girls, at the beginning, are super-cute... but what's beyond cute is that this is EXACTLY how to raise kids to become "can-do" adults!! Very nice!

[@katb6981]

Great tips, thanks so much, now I don't fear our running electrical to an outbuilding project :)

[@whipwhiphco9430]

You should. There’s many factors other than just doing this. Wire size how many conductors distance etc. contact a electrician

[@ObviousInit1]

Oh yeah, essential to have little people helping, makes the job go faster. Just take a roll-call BEFORE filling the trench in.

[@mr.howell4918]

😂😂

[@pat091780]

I really appreciate it... I have my own barn project now !! =)

[@The_honoured]

Best video ever, simple and to the point.

[@IVseenthis]

forgot WARNING metal tape!.. excellent video!

[@gaarzeuqzalev6361]

Very good video!! All was perfectly planned starting for digging, piping,wiring, the vac technique perfect and the schedule 80 that you used for sticks very good!!! Congrats!! Good job!!! Greetings from California!!

[@arnoldloffelbein1789]

ruining new wire in roof0

[@bruceb3786]

I read some of these comments and I think those clowns should just stay home and be quiet. Many others are correct, and very technical. In the end, the Inspector (AHJ), and the Power Company, have final, undisputed say, over what is acceptable. You had both of them on your side. Very nicely done. You, the Trench Digger, and the Helpers are 100%. I am an EE of 41 years, electrical contractor for 30 of those.

[@thecowboy2492]

I have read Yes and No on Primer use on conduit. Since it's not holding water or any pressure, primer may not need to be used. But nothing wrong in an extra step. And Five Stars on that trick with the Shop Vac. I am running 2" PVC conduit from my radio tower to the radio shack (90') and now I know how I'm going to get that pull string through the conduit to pull the rope and coax with. Thanks so much for that.

[@jambenzman]

i like that the vac was a great idea!

[@susantrott3338]

Brilliant use of the paper and the shop vac! Wow! Wish I had seen this before I dug my own conduit for our pond.... Good Job!

[@JoeMama-gk6py]

Susan Trott A used store bag works better just tearing in a quarter of the bag and tie that like a parachute to the line and the shop vac will suck it through quick and easy

[@JohnKaufmann]

You must have got a killer deal on the wire!!! Great job BTW

[@TwilightxKnight13]

probably aluminum

[@scottwilson9817]

This video save me a lot of work thank you

[@gabrieljaenprieto4950]

Amazing job!

[@jaycahow4667]

It is also a good idea (even if not always required) to run warning tape a foot above the conduit as you back fill the trench.

[@TwilightxKnight13]

Warning tape is often not required if the wire is contained in conduit, but 18" is not very deep so I would agree in this instance. I am currently installing a new service at 36" deep with PVC conduit and we are not using warning tape.

[@belindakodgis259]

Add air conditioning, water heater, welder, and suddenly 200 amps do not look as much as before. I agree work was well done and it passed inspection. Putting underground feed inside conduit is safety and durability. Surprisingly shallow trench, no warning tape, no ground wire (?), no sand (a tip off conduit is there, or as some homeowners do it, a pressure treated board on top of the top layer of sand. The point it is it functional. Ground wire surprises me...that it passed inspection.

[@belindakodgis259]

and maybe there was a heated slab to be poured. so 200 amp is not overkill. I agree with one poster...trenching near a transformer...ballsy.

[@DavidM2002]

In some places, you are required to run a layer of tape ( think " Police line, do not cross" ) about 6 inches below the surface and above the buried lines. This is in case anyone digs there; they are warned by the tape that something is directly below.

[@donellison6445]

Enjoyed the video, cool trick with vac and string.I have to run 350ft of wire I will try that

[@reversefulfillment9189]

The vac idea is a pro tip nice!

[@i-hate-handle-names]

The trick with the vacuum is something professionals do all the time when running underground, it'll go around corners and everything. Small plastic bags work very well for it. Another tip, the strength of electrical tape is not from the adhesive but from it's elasticity. When taping wire on to your pull cord/rope it's best to stretch the tape as much as possible with out snapping it. For that reason electrical tape is best applied warm not cold. It also is helpful to stagger the wires when taping them so that the 'head' is more tapered rather than blunt. And don't tie a knot in your rope, you'll thank me later. One final quip: When you use a full roll of electrical tape on a single pull then you can say you've used a lot of electrical tape. :D

[@twoZJs]

Try drawing 10 -12 AWG thru 400 feet of schedule 40 without one# of Crisco globed on it, it gets into 100s of pounds of pull, quick.

[@99bn99]

Pulling the tape tight is fine for short term applications. However, when it is applied as an insulator, it should never be tighter than what it takes to pull if off the roll. The PVC is elastic, and will gradually pull back to its original size. As it pulls back, it releases and falls off. (Don't use it as a primary insulator, as it eventually dries out. Codes require mechanical connection.)

[@thomasmarable6818]

@@99bn99 never been to a splicing class with 3m. The say to stretch the tape to 50 percent of it size.

[@boarderboiii]

I've done the vacuum and string thing with my dad allot.

[@eugenepohjola258]

Howdy. Totally great. In my mind. Another way would be to first unroll the wires along the trench. Then run the pipe segments on. Connect the segments and drop the completed piping into the trench. And also in my mind. Always pull in another string or rope alongside the wires for possible future need. Finally in my mind. I would have used 4 inch piping. Way easier to pull the wires through. Also room for future needs. High regards.

[@substancep]

I Con-Du-It! Great video

[@JB-wc4vz]

Love this video - thanks!

[@j.wat.3437]

Way to raise the girls! I wish I would have instilled physical work in my 2. Great job. But the next time glue all the joints first and bury the conduit. The pipe seals better and it's easier to pull. But still great job!

[@kevinochieng8256]

Very well said

[@Sugarsail1]

wow, you must have easy soil to dig, ours is full of soft ball and bowling ball sized river rocks embedded in clay, it would take two days to dig that trench for two people and then back surgery after. Nice job. I'm jealous of your soil.

[@TwilightxKnight13]

Add a couple of pine trees and an oak and I am right there with you!

[@brownsrvlifecampground9322]

You made a very educated helpful video 🙏♥️🙏

[@fit4ya1975]

Did you run your cable line thru there as well? Thanks!

[@kennethwoodward4669]

Watching this just so happens I’ve got a 120’ run coming up and this with some of the comments to make the job easier and more protective of my 4/0-4/0-2/0 casing I’m hoping 2” schedule 40 pvc pipe will do the job then coming out of the ground on both of coarse schedule 80 I know it’s not an easy task so informative videos like this help a lot not to mention a few helpful comments …. Thank y’all !

[@TwilightxKnight13]

I would recommend 2-1/2" conduit for that combo of wire, especially if you are using schedule 80 above ground. You lose just a bit of cross-sectional area when you switch from schedule 40 to schedule 80 because the latter has a thicker wall. Also, be sure to use long "sweep" 90s instead of normal 90s. It will make the pull A LOT easier and might even be required by your local code.

[@msav57]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@compal55]

awesome trick, thanks

[@ObviousInit1]

On a warm day the PVC tape would just pull off so you need to loop the pull rope at least 3 times around the cable end with 10 times the cable diameter distance between each loop. That will NEVER let go. otherwise well done that lady, you did better than a lot of the men I've seen trying to pull cables.

[@Imwright720]

For those watching the conduit will actually bend. You don’t need those bends usually. Sometimes a little heat might be needed. It much easier to pull through.

[@usmarinekenny]

Awesome video, just a tip for if or when you do it next time: when you tie the rope on to make it more secure in case of some resistance after the end is tied onto the cable a couple of half hitch knots will help the rope stay on the wire especially if you know you’re going to experience so hard pulling or long distances. Works on any size wire and conduit. Love the video.

[@antonisfakotakis8827]

nice work

[@jasonvelez7317]

Genius on vac! Thank you!!!

[@timdouglass4934]

Always go larger on your conduit, it makes life a lot easier.

[@TwilightxKnight13]

As long as you limit the bends it won't matter much in PVC. It is incredibly resistant to sliding wire so it doesn't take a lot of conduit for it to become very hard to pull. With the size service entry wire they are using the difference between 2-1/2", 3", even 4" is virtually zero

[@dannyryan3511]

no I'm not an electrician but I did stay at a holiday in Express last night

[@mikemoore9757]

A text book pull, and a very neat job. One little tidbit of advice is when the pulling gets really hard on long runs, or lots of turns, use dish detergent ( like Dawn). Use full strength. Just rub it on the wire as you feed it through and it makes the job a lot easier. Good video.

[@cdnbacon2001]

in Canada we have a code against that 12-908 (1) use the proper stuff years later if you have to take it out you will be glad you did.

[@99bn99]

cdnbacon2001 is right. I have every only used proper pull lube, but an electrician told me that dish detergent eventually dries out and glues the cable into the conduit

[@sdranch2800]

Ideal yellow 77 made for pulling cable and won’t damage it or the conduit

[@marcodeluca4068]

Great idea but those are laterals think you can buried without pipe always good to play it safe how many feet was that from house?

[@DaveHaynie]

Very cool... implementing the string/rope/wire pull today. But you must live in another world... I was at $400 just for the wire to deliver 60A service to my shed!

[@calebtoutdoors7217]

Depends on where you get your wire. That wire is $3.50 a foot at Lowes, with the right connections you can get it for $1.20 per foot

[@paultrainer4560]

Done like true professionals. Well done.

[@kristofferljungberg5057]

+paul trainer naa she over doing it now way in hell a professional have time to do it that slow. done this 1000 times and the rope thing is only necessary if you bury the pipe before insert cable. the way she dose it, skip the rope, just insert the cable. done

[@paultrainer4560]

I agree after I personally sending a 16mm diameter cable up through a 20mm diameter conduit (plus corners) about 5m with no hassles. A learning curve for me, I must admit.

[@luderickwong]

a humble suggestion. put some ground pike along the trench to mark the locaton of the cable. just in case if there is any necessary to dig the ground for obvious reason, such as adding water pipe or cable repair. no one will hit the cable and get a nasty electric shock.

[@shujayezdi1346]

About time some one mentioned use SCH 80 pvc coming out of ground.... :)

[@graygrantham7029]

The vacuum trick to pull leader string is good, but on an open trench situation like this where you are putting cable inside the conduit and then burying it, I found it to be a whole lot simpler to lay out the cable and then just fit the Sch40 PVC over the cable one segment at a time.

[@55tmilam]

I had a 75 food run and I did it the same way

[@GeminiDocMedia]

I think that's against code. And you don't know if the conduit allows for future pulling. Might as well direct bury the cable at that point. Pull cables through entire conduit run (or to pull boxes) to ensure the run is actually pull-able.

[@erics5757]

FYI, my rental place rents on Saturday and gives the Sunday rental free; retuned on Monday start of business. I can’t imagine deciding to do a project like this without a couples days forethought

[@ericwilcox5925]

Beets extension cords, nice job! I would like to think I could do my barn in one day for $400 but my project is at least $700 and only time will tell?

[@heronimousbrapson863]

I rented a fishing tape reel. I found it and only it had the necessary stiffness to pass through the conduit.

[@carultch]

Did you remember the expansion fitting at the riser to connect to the barn? Because of ground movement, it is good practice to install one.

[@RMSpeltzFarm]

carultch we did, but I forgot to shoot picture of it. I didnt use one on the previous setup I did to a meter on a outdoor power pole for my other barn and the frost pushed the PVC up and tipped the box forward on me years ago so I learned, I wish I had shot that on the video but I forgot=(

[@pauls0416]

The WHAT?? oh crap! I just finished a job like this..

[@cdnbacon2001]

1:13 since when is it an option to glue. you did good gluing as i believe its required regaedless

[@sameernelson9684]

Good work

[@carzg6949]

Are those little helpers for hire? Excellent little workers! :)

[@mail4asim]

The string trick is really neat. Thank you for sharing.

[@marcos22571]

How.many feet is that and did you connect it to the metter box? I have my meter at the corner of my property and I want to move it in atleast 300 in to the center of the land. Will it push all the power 300 ft.?

[@joetrott7927]

I'm doing my house and 40 feet at 22 inches allowed me a slight leveling bed of sand then conduit with 18" of actual cover which is code where I am in California. 40 feet " kicked me arse" but I am almost 60. I spent 5 hours digging and since it's a joint trench with 3 runs about 2 hours installing by my self by center loading the trench so I could pull. The next two hours were a mixture of beer and ice packs. 100 feet is mighty impressive. But was it inspected? I fear I've been out done by the little ones 😊

[@minhdangyt]

That is very good idea. 😉

[@lakerdude42]

god I wish we had that kind of ground in Phoenix.

[@chrish2411]

What size cable did you use,alum or copper?

[@tsjuno]

nice work. what kind of equipment did you use to dig the trench. was it just pick and shovel?

[@pauls0416]

That looked like soft dirt to me in her video... But two inches under *my* sod is RUBBLE... it was a nightmare.

[@cubitaid2454]

what type of wire you burried. thanks

[@VaporheadATC]

It's also code to fully assemble the conduit, then pull the wire.

[@stephenhill1089]

Unless you use a junction box to separate longer runs or if you're making more than 360° of bending total.

[@bebo5558]

VaporheadATC - Where in the code does it say that, the imaginary part in your head! How you "getter" done is of no importance! What a joke!

[@bruceb3786]

@@bebo5558 Since this project was done in April, 2014, it probably was under the 2011 NEC, since not all jurisdictions automatically adopt the latest NEC the day it becomes "Code". In the 2011 NEC, Par. 300.18(A) "Complete Runs" requires a completed conduit run before installing the conductors. But, just in case, the 2014 NEC states exactly the same thing, word for word. And, if the jurisdiction had not yet adopted the 2011 NEC, the 2008 NEC reads the same. If you have to go to Court, that is what the your opposing Attorney and Expert Witness is going to tell the Judge and Jury.

[@frlouiegoad4087]

Thank you: I am about to run 20 feet underground to my new water fountain. the shop vac? I will try it.

[@shingabiss]

Wonder why schedule 80 above ground, it's thinner than 40. Great job and love the rope workaround of a long fish tape.

[@bobhardy8961]

Schedule 80 is thicker and offers more protection out of the ground from damage

[@stephencook3868]

Ingenious!!! 🧐🧐

[@YoungGrizzly]

You can use a plastic bag when sucking that string through as well. Its an awesome trick.

[@Dave-mf9ju]

It looks like sandy soil, a trench that long in central new your rock area would take 3 weeks. Nice video

[@kool_like_crazy_chriskingc5074]

What size wire was that you use?

[@jeffreyspence7717]

What was the point of putting URD in a pipe?