JWelectric
Electrical Contractor/Instructor
I can understand your disbelief as this world has turned in the direction of chaos so all you have to go on is my word.I wish I could believe you JW. That would be very interesting.
When the proper procedures are followed by “special permission†alternate methods can be done per the NEC.There are minor violations every single day. It's the nature of the job. I'm talking about an extra cable in a JBox. I'm talking about screwing plastic boxes to a stud. I'm talking about protecting a piece of NM with EMT coming out of a house going into a panel. I'm talking about UG PVC that isn't a full 18inches. EVERYONE except JW makes these calls from time to time for various justifyable reasons.
Installing extra “cables†in a box is never an acceptable method. The inclusion of a single conductor is not acceptable.
The use of screws to mount a nonmetallic box is code compliant using the proper methods.
NM cable is not approved for installation in a wet location such as you have described. By installing a junction box and feeding the disconnect with an approved raceway the NM cable can stop before exiting the building.
PVC is not always required to be buried to a depth of 18 inches.
Under a building it can be installed flush with finish grade.
Under a sidewalk of no less than four inches of concrete only four inches of cover is required.
If being used to install circuits for control of irrigation and landscape lighting limited to not more than 30 volts a depth of six inches is all that is required.
If this installation contains residential branch circuits rated 120 volts or less with GFCI protection and maximum overcurrent protection of 20 amperes twelve inches will comply.
Should it be in the middle of the yard and rock was encountered then Note 5 will allow a lesser depth as long as the pipe is covered with at least two inches of concrete and the concrete reaches all the way to the rock.
I will be more than happy to explain to anyone that the codes and as used here the NEC is a bare minimum safety standard. To do anything less would be below safety.
And....to all the students out there. JW has a lot of knowledge to share and you should respect him for that. I also want to remind you that it will ALWAYS be necessary for you to challange authority. Always ask why and don't lose the ability to think for yourself.
I do appreciate those words of kindness and will always strive to live up to them but I must strongly disagree with your advice to challenge authority. I would agree that is alright to disagree with authority and there are procedures that can be followed should you disagree with authority.
It is also good to always question the “why†of a situation. We should always ask ourselves why. Never lose the ability to think for yourselves and always strive to be the best that you can be.