Direct burial and liquid electric tape

[woodlandfarms]

I got all my wire run, now doing my connections. I went to the pro electric store. Not the big box. Because I am splicing into a line they have had me use copper locking nuts and liquid electric tape. I am moderately comfortable with wiring and do it all the time, but direct burial is new to me and something I have never done before. Wire, in dirt and water, seem like a recipe for disaster but this is just what I new before this project.

So I just want a 3rd opinion from the group. Shave back the casing, use the clamping nut on up the wires, stagger the connectors so they won't touch, put a few coats of liquid tape on each coonrction and put dirt over and don't think about it again.

The guys said that liquid tape is now standard for well pump applications.

 

[grsthegreat]

I got all my wire run, now doing my connections. I went to the pro electric store. Not the big box. Because I am splicing into a line they have had me use copper locking nuts and liquid electric tape. I am moderately comfortable with wiring and do it all the time, but direct burial is new to me and something I have never done before. Wire, in dirt and water, seem like a recipe for disaster but this is just what I new before this project.

So I just want a 3rd opinion from the group. Shave back the casing, use the clamping nut on up the wires, stagger the connectors so they won't touch, put a few coats of liquid tape on each coonrction and put dirt over and don't think about it again.

The guys said that liquid tape is now standard for well pump applications.

In nearly 30 years of construction and electrical i have never used liquid electrical tape...heck i never even heard of it.

I dont believe in direct burial of any wires, but in the few cases i was forced to use it all of my connections were made with encased epoxy fittings like the electrical co-ops and utility companies use.

These devices use a plastic encasement and is completely filed with liquid 2 part epoxy which sets in about 5 minutes.

 

[crbr]

Thanks for the pictures...

 

[ThomasH]

Hi -

I wouldn't make liquid electrical tape the only covering, as it is fairly thin; and therefore doesn't provide chafe resistance. It is routine to use it (several coats) followed by a good fabric electrical tape wrapped over the entire wire including the connection.

 

[Darrenone]

I've never heard of liquid electrical tape but I have used butt splices followed by rubber tape, then electrical tape ( a good tape such as Scotch 33 or 88 ). Then use heat shrink over it all. So far, never had any problems doing it this way.

 

[woodlandfarms]

This is the stuff I was sold

Gardner Bender Liquid Electrical Tape

 

[Raspy]

If you want to really protect your splices from moisture use the heat shrink tubing used in well pump wires. Well pumps have pigtails sticking out of the motors that must be connected to the lead wires coming down from above. The connections sit underwater, continuously, for years while carrying full pump current.

These heat shrink tubes are about 3 inches long and have a soft rubbery compound inside that gets squeezed out as the tube shrinks. The wire connections are simple crimp connectors. The tube gets slipped over the wire before the crimp is made and then placed over the splice and heated to shrink and seal. Very effective and well proven.

Better yet, don't make a splice below ground.

 

[20 20]

I have used liquid tape topped with electrical tape for direct burial never had a problem. If this is all your going to use then put a few coats of liquid tape on let dry then cover with a GOOD tape. An even better solution would be liquid tape followed by heat shrink tube then tape, I've done that for wells, and engineered septic. Liquid tape is good stuff and gets into all the nooks and cranies making, IMO, a good water tight seal, it is sloopy stuff though and sometimes can be a pain to brush on. Just make sure to cover with heat shrink or tape to help protect the connection.

 

[weedpharma]

.......
These heat shrink tubes are about 3 inches long and have a soft rubbery compound inside that gets squeezed out as the tube shrinks. The wire connections are simple crimp connectors. The tube gets slipped over the wire before the crimp is made and then placed over the splice and heated to shrink and seal. Very effective and well proven.

Better yet, don't make a splice below ground.

Make sure you ask for the glue lined heatshrink or you will get plain heatshrink tube.

weedpharma

 

[hr3]

I got all my wire run, now doing my connections. I went to the pro electric store. Not the big box. Because I am splicing into a line they have had me use copper locking nuts and liquid electric tape. I am moderately comfortable with wiring and do it all the time, but direct burial is new to me and something I have never done before. Wire, in dirt and water, seem like a recipe for disaster but this is just what I new before this project.

So I just want a 3rd opinion from the group. Shave back the casing, use the clamping nut on up the wires, stagger the connectors so they won't touch, put a few coats of liquid tape on each coonrction and put dirt over and don't think about it again.

The guys said that liquid tape is now standard for well pump applications.

What size wire are you splicing into and with what size wire going out if I may ask??