Best solution for outdoor wiring

[TequilaMB]

We have a GFI outlet on the outside of our house. About 25 feet from the house we have a patio area where my DH wants to put in some lighting, a small fountain, a birdbath heater and maybe a couple of bug zappers. What's the best and simplest solution for getting wiring from the outlet out to the devices in the patio area (without running extension cords over the lawn!)? I know about burying UF cable, but how what do you do at either end of the cable? DH has some electrical skills, but wiring for outdoors is something he has no experience with. I told him I'd do the research and find as safe and uncomplicated solution as possible.

[hj]

One way is to put a weatherproof extension on the GFCI outlet, then run conduit out of the bottom of it to wherever he is putting the "things". There, he would come out of the ground with the conduit, and a double device cover and four receptacles mounted on it.

[TequilaMB]

Thanks for the reply hj, I wondered if anyone was going to respond.

I thought it was a no-no to bury an extension cord - even a weatherproof one. Am I wrong?

[hj]

You are correct. An extension cord, even a "waterproof" one is not designed for concealment ANYWHERE, even under a carpet. Part of its capacity depends on being able to shed heat to the air. Even "waterproof" electrical wires have to be in conduit, unless they are specifically rated for direct burial. And their increased cost reflects the way they have to be made to be rated for that.