Electrical Service Conduit Installation - Underground Power From Transformer

This video will show you how to do an electrical conduit conduit installation for underground power. Electrical conduit in this video is schedule 40. Electrical conduit is for underground power from the transformer to the meter on a house.
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0:00 Intro
Disclaimer: This video is all based on my personal opinion and is for entertainment purposes ONLY. I am not a financial advisor, CPA, attorney, tax advisor, electrician, plumber, housing contractor, designer, or any type of profession to give advice. I am just a consumer sharing my experiences and research. If you do need knowledge for those types of things, I will advise you to seek help for those professionals. .
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kzbin.info...
Disclaimer: This video is all based on my personal opinion and is for entertainment purposes ONLY. I am not a financial advisor, CPA, attorney, tax advisor, electrician, plumber, housing contractor, designer, or any type of profession to give advice. I am just a consumer sharing my experiences and research. If you do need knowledge for those types of things, I will advise you to seek help for those professionals.

[@techtipsforsolopreneurs6468]

You are amazing! I'm going to be able to do so much more than I thought possible using your videos!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Thanks I appreciate that! I got a lot of videos in the making. Stay tuned for more!

[@Johnthedagger]

You're the best at showing how things are actually done instead of telling or explaining. Great job everytime

[@stevencross6461]

It’s cool to see someone who is truly passionate about their work. Your videos helped me do my own subpanel in my detached garage. Probably saved me $1,000s.

[@joshemajavich799]

Thanks Mr electrician I know sometimes it's hard to work doing pipeing at the field thanks again for share your experience and greeting from Miami Florida.

[@baitsinthewater95]

Stumbled across your channel. You're a beast! Thanks for sharing your knowledge for us DIY folks out here!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Thanks! I hope your projects are going well. I appreciate you watching!

[@jackcampbell7010]

Great video! You are by far the most informative person on residential construction. Keep up the good work!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Thanks a lot Jack! That is the goal of my channel is to inform the world about residential construction. Thanks for watching!

[@gavinnewscum]

Excellent video and pride of quality workmanship

[@myfund1]

great stuff This is one of the best channels Ive seen. Thanks!

[@cyrusparsaei1441]

You got my attention man with your nice clips. Subscribed.

[@CyYates1]

Great Job!!! Thanks for the info.

[@JonDawson]

you are a rockstar! keep it up man!

[@andrewbirkett715]

Great videos! Thanks for sharing

[@bluefalcon3ID]

I would have loved this trench today. It was a heat blanket kind of Monday for me.

[@derricksaunders5280]

Thanks a million.

[@organogold8]

Thank you so much!!! 😊

[@balloney2175]

Awesome!

[@fixitman8028]

Nice video. Thanks

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@waynebeck7801]

Thanks for the video..I have a similar situation. 3 conduits hydro, tel and cable. They will run up through the footings and stem wall B before we pour the concrete. Electrician wants 3000.00 labour 😅most of that seems to be gluing the conduit. Also installing the distribution panel.

[@scothuggins3148]

great video.

[@rxh1013]

Thanks for this

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

No problem! Good luck with your project and stay tuned!

[@engrizqureshi9532]

Well done

[@mattroyster1]

Thanks Josh!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

You are welcome Matt!

[@jfromtn7410]

have you ever used a ditch witch to dig a trench for the schedule 40 conduit?I have a new detatched garage about 60 ft from the transformer that I will need to

[@davidburkholder7360]

Nice.

[@john8855]

Great video, I want to see how you pull those wires through from the transformer

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

The conduit is like a PVC pipe with a bell on one end more less. How about that?

[@seanmithelman6316]

if you have the equipment to dig ad backfill yourself, how do you figure out how deep to go and how to get it at a decent rise/ angle to make it to the house? also once that it connected to the house, does that have to be inspected before you can go ahead a fill it back in and does the electrical company have to turn on the power or who do you call for that?

[@framnerdan]

Great video Josh. Jack of all trades eh! Did you pull the electrical permit? Is your home parched already then sealed with tar?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Thanks Amazing! I try to do all trades. When you build a new house you pay for all the electrical, plumbing, and framing permits at once. Yes the black foundation coating you see is the sealer.

[@bnbcraft6666]

I do this kind of work, it's alright it pays the bills

[@michaelaubrey1020]

How did you know where your stub was coming out I'm fixing to try to do this for my garage appreciate you thanks for sharing

[@daltonbowie437]

Blueprints

[@gtabraham3454]

Something called a redhead. It's a marker that sticks out of the ground. Dig up the dirt around it and it should be at the very bottom of it.

[@johnross3752]

Can you use 3 inch pipe with long sweep inside the concrete form ?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

I don’t see the problem with that. Should be fine. as long as the power company can pull the cable through. You can always check with the power company and/or local building codes for clarification. I hope that helps!

[@antoniohernandez7171]

I’m new to the commercial electrical trade, I doubt you’ll see this.. but if the prints specify rigid 90’s for the stub ups, do you have to do it? Or can you get away with a pvc 90 for the inspection?

[@johndavies2949]

Sounds stupid but the reason is they are scared the pulling rope will burn through the radius of the 90 so they want steel or imc. It's a real bitch wrestling a 2" or 3" steel sweep. Consider yourself lucky that they accept pvv sweeps. I worry about the connection between the sweep and the straight pipe feeding into it when it comes to pulling in the wires as I have had the plastic coupling break right there on a tough pull.

[@mos8541]

BRO! you gotta extend that shoe on the recip out! Keeps the blade tip beyond your piece. WHO/HOW dug that trench?! thats the hard part, esp. in AZ with no ACTUAL dirt, just rox LOL

[@chaddavies2319]

I have a question about hooking up a meter socket and panel using 350 kcmil cable. The lugs won't accept that size cable. What can I do here? Use a pin adaptor? cut several strands out until the cable fits? Thank you

[@keithharrington8715]

They should make lugs for your situation. Please, please, never cut strands out of the cable. It reduces your wire size.....that means it will not carry the current it is rated for.

[@Stormorbiter]

Sometimes yes you can use schedule 40, but it would just typically need to be buried deeper. Very important to check your local codes to see what type of conduit you need for burial

[@stickfigure9662]

Does the conduit/trench have to be inspected for depth? Or can you just backfill it and the inspector usually takes the homeowners word for it as to the trenches depth.

[@Stormorbiter]

It depends on the inspector. Sometimes they’ll even accept a picture of the trench and be like yeah that looks like it was deep enough

[@yemarican]

Nice work man .. I'm not an electrician and I dont do this kind of work, but when you said the mice ate that string ..or rope .. how are you gonna run a new one and how did mice get there?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Evidently the mice came through the transformer. I had to contact the power company to open up the box and they help me fish a new rope through. Thanks for watching!

[@minnesnowtan9970]

Never expected the rope to be chewed, but that is why we do conduit. It would be interesting to see the ball with another string blown through. Is the wire hard to pull?

[@somchai4046]

thought same thing if it was capped, how did mich get in?

[@salvatoreguiliano2429]

Hello Excellent Laborer, What the string in the Pipe is used for? Infinite thanks for your videos, you are a blessing to us,🙏🙏🙏.

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

The string is used by the power company to pull the service wire through the pipe. I hope that helps clear the air. Thanks for watching!

[@rudyardgomeas6042]

I believe it depends on distance, for voltage drop and the size of service

[@squirrelmaster5485]

Whats the radius of that elbow you used?

[@sevendust07660]

How far to space off the house if I have ledge stone with hardie plank above it?

[@livewire500]

I am building my house on vacant land I have a question so the electrician is the one who has to install the underground PVC pipe and electrical Conduit from the pole/transformer, do he also dig the trench or do i need to hire someone else? just to get a rough idea how much do you charge for this job. Thanks

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

My excavator dug the line. The electrician or excavator would install the conduit. It all depends on the person if they do or don’t do it. Good question. Thanks for watching!

[@RafaelSwit]

Nice job! Will electric company allow a DIY trenching and laying down the conduit? I’d like to bury the above ground power line that comes from the street post to the house. Don’t mind to do the work, if it can save me some money.

[@eye2heaven]

Good job! Who is going to hook up the wire to the transformer and meter?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Thanks man. The power company does that.

[@treybtrucks]

What was the depth (from grade level) of the existing capped end from the transformer? Good video. Thanks man! 👍🏻

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

It was about 3 foot deep. Thanks for watching!

[@mkmac9539]

Great video. I will be installing electrical cable in conduit for ground mount solar panels soon. I will have to go about 200 ft. To make the "pull" easy my thought is to slide each 10 ft piece of conduit onto the cable from each end and stop in the middle. Then glue the conduit together. Continue this until all the cable is in the conduit. I dont see that anyone does it this way. Is this reasonable? Will this work? Any downside to this?

[@keithharrington8715]

The National Electric Code wants you to put the piping (conduit) to be fully installed before you put wire in it. I expect the wet glue will either destroy your wire's insulation when wet or glue the wire in place. Since solar installs are modular. (Add more if you need), I encourage you to consider a large pipe. There is minimum size pipe based on the number and size of your wires....minimum size. If you put in a larger pipe, you can add or replace the wire, use the old ones like a rope for the new ones, without re-digging the trench. Also, while your trench is open, consider a second or third pipe for power to lights or a data run for cameras or monitoring equipment. If The trench is open, it is an easy install and just cap them until you need them.....no re-dig. Hope that helps.

[@mkmac9539]

@@keithharrington8715 That makes sense. Thanks.

[@boycemontez4962]

​@keithharrington8715 wjy size of conduit is recommended for the setup you're describing? I need to run service from my home to a small woodshop within 10 feet from the back of the house and wasnt sure to use 2"or 2½".

[@johncarr123]

Does the power company supply the schedule 40 from the transformer to the house?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

I had to buy the conduit and install it before the power company would pull the wire through. Contact your local power company and see what they want you to do is what I would recommend. I hope that helps.

[@johncarr123]

thank you for the quick reply and thank you for the excellent videos.

[@ktm3850]

Looks like there is a bit of a curve , sweep to it in the trench. I assume that's acceptable. Not always going to be perfect, straight.

[@markabdrabbo]

How many inches is the trench that looks like more than 18 inches

[@mikem5454]

Is that 3"? What size wire are they pulling through that? How big is the service?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

It is 3” and the power company pulled the wire through for a 200 Amp service. Hope that helps!

[@joeyprather4739]

I need to run 2 4” schedule 40 ducts for phone lines. Need 430’ and it’s going for $10 a foot if I can even find it. Incredibly expensive.

[@jdubya54]

can u put wire thru pipe. then glue pipe then put down in trench

[@Chrissers2010]

I believe the power company runs the wire from the transformer to the meter.

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Yes the power company does run the actual service cable in the conduit.

[@andrewallen8764]

Whats the space between the house and the conduit?

[@julian777ju5]

Thanks

[@StraitClownin909]

Not bad kid

[@rachelweber4583]

What size conduit do you use? Tia

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

3”

[@legitbenz]

Did you use schedule 40 or 80? Thx

[@coriding]

It was Sch 80 (answered a few questions below)

[@HughMyronM8]

Which wire is rated for underground and in conduit?

[@mikhaelkozik6455]

So no primer? Or u using something thats has primer?

[@craiglindsey4529]

I know I am late to the conversation, but why 4" conduit?

[@johndavies2949]

I didn't think you could come out of ground and up to the meter base with pvc. Did you use schedule 80? In my area the utility company makes the rules and even for a 200 amp single phase service they require 3" pvc in the ground with a 3" sweep and then transition to ridgid or imc coming out of the ground to the meter base. The problem is that most 200 amp meter bases only have 2" knock outs. The utility doesn't care. I have to pullna 3" hole and wrestle in that 3" rigid. Then the utility pulls in the triplex, which is rated for direct burial but you gotta have a sand base, then cover with sand once they put the wire in, have them look at it before snd after. A big hassle. So everyone uses the 3". And they pull in aluminum treplex. They make the lineside connection to the meter base. I make the liad side, usually before they get there. And the triplex has been really derated. They don't care. They don't have to. They are mot subject to the NEC.

[@edmirk5498]

The 2x4 block makes the pipe look like 4", but you replied it is 3"? At 3:03 the block is side by side to the pipe.

[@vanghost4life]

Dude, how much would it cost for 63ft power line run from the garage to the house. I am looking at quotes and they all over . Appreciate it.

[@keithharrington8715]

I am an electrical guy. You do not need years of training to do that hook-up. If you have the time and ability, you could do most or all of the job yourself to save on labor costs. There is a lot of rules for electrical work, so research the heck out of it. Maybe talk with a local electrician about being a consultant.....getting you the rules and some techniques to get the job done. Also, for a garage, a pro might get a problem solved before you know you have one. Consider adding extra pipes in your trench. If your garage becomes a shop, you might need Internet or security cameras or maybe a flashing light (diner bell) for emergencies in the house for those times when the noise lever is high. If your trench is open, it is just some pipe, but figure out you need to hard wire some internet out there after you close your trench and you might be digging a new trench. Hope that helps.

[@looloo6322]

Our electric company won't pass the 90 degree sweep, we have to use a hockey stick, where we then need a 45 and a 22.5 elbows. also the want purple cleaner on the pipe before the cement.

[@nickk05281982]

How much did you pay for your slip joint?

[@robertochavez8196]

How deep should schedule 40 be buried?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Check your local building codes. We always go at least 24” deep.

[@SuperMudMuppet]

What size PVC conduit is that

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

3”

[@shaneogden7392]

Does your 200A meter base have built in 3" knock outs? If so, what's the manufacturer? Thanks 🇨🇦

[@user-qf8xz8yp7x]

You needed to clean the dirt off of the conduit after removing the cap for the first bell with PVC pipe cleaner.

[@fisforfriendship6093]

so you dont have to use pvc primer then glue? because this is just wire being ran through not water where high pressure is present.

[@carlosayala6754]

I do this job, but I lay hundreds of feet a day, sometimes we do 6 way bank with a lot of bends. This job isn’t easy.

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Thanks for watching! Do you work for the power company or are you electrician?

[@carlosayala6754]

@@TheExcellentLaborer apprenticeship right now.

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

@@carlosayala6754 Very awesome! Good luck to you!

[@carlosayala6754]

@@TheExcellentLaborer thanks man.

[@Chrissers2010]

Your elbow going into the house looks like schedule 80. Pretty heavy walled.

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Yes it is. Schedule 80 is the elbows typically. Thanks for watching!

[@marcusorillius6971]

Collar or coupling? Never heard anyone call that a collar. 😏

[@BlackVibeBallsack]

That's a coupling

[@azmrblack]

Why no primer?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Don't need it for this application.

[@aparisi59]

@@TheExcellentLaborer i was curious about this myself.

[@kylekayser2291]

Primer waste of time unless your putting in a waterline with pressure.

[@azmrblack]

Thanks guys. I guess NEC states it is not necessary in powerline applications. I remember using Green cement when I did a short run of 1/2 inch buried PVC with UF cable for extra protection.

[@mr.g937]

@@kylekayser2291 DWV uses primer and there is no pressure.

[@cneiu]

Con-Do It 😅

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

That’s right!

[@cneiu]

@@TheExcellentLaborer I appreciate the content! Thanks for sharing

[@UAL012]

Cool video. I'm wondering why you didn't have to use a rigid 90 to the house? Normally you're supposed to do that. Typically, you use schedule 40 90-degree bends with a 36 inch sweep from the transformer, DB120 for the straight runs and if you're going to a box, you use a rigid 90. The rigid 90 takes a female adapter with additional schedule 40 if needed. I work as a field superintendent for an underground company and we do this all the time.

[@scottmcclenahan6681]

In your area, it's different everywhere

[@stuartkorte1642]

For such a deep trench, I assume you didn’t use direct burial cable?

[@keatonbradley5741]

con do it

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Good one!