Splicing #2 Wire Underground

[crokett]

Is this acceptable? I don't think it is but even if it is it isn't desireable, at least by me. I have approx 40' of #2 - 2 hots, neutral and ground - that came with the shop. I need about 55, give or take. So should I sell what I have and buy long enough to get there or can I bury a splice? I don't really want to bury one, especially for wire this big. I'd keep it except I don't see me ever using it.

[Daryl]

You can get water proof splices, I have used them in water wells to hook up a submersible pump. Alternative is to bring it up above ground, add an outlet there, with gfi of course, for whatever reason you may want one.

[Tom Slick]

I'm not sure but I'll bet you would have to install a vault at the splice.

[Mr__Bill]

They make a direct burial splice kit.
But
For me, where ever their is potential for trouble at some point it's going to happen, I would sell what you have and buy new.

Bill,

[woodturner]

They make a direct burial splice kit.

They sell lots of things that are not "legal" to use.

NEC requires all splices to be made in a box - it's not legal, per NEC, to bury a splice.

[gjat]

Splicing is allowed by NEC, and you're right, it must be in a pull box (vault). My company does street lighting and we make splices all the time. However, I don't think it's cost effective for the little bit of wire you're talking about. Splices are inerently problematic, especially for power feeds. We work mostly with higher voltages then 120/240v, but I personally would NEVER splice in a residential situation. Splices often fail over time and you're risking an uneccessary hazard to save a few bucks.

[pelligrini]

Probably ought to go with your gut and not do a splice.

Is this the run going out to your shop? What sort of load & voltage drop are you designing for?

If you buy new, I don't think you need anything near as large as a #2. I figured you were using #2 because you already had it.

[crokett]

I won't do a splice. The panel in the shop is rated for 100A. You are right I was using #2 because that was what he had. I need a circuit for lights, 2 -3 20A 110V circuts for tools and then a 220V circuit or two. I have a planer that runs at 220 and may or may not have a window A/C unit there in the summer. My current basement shop has 1 light circuit 2 20A circuits and I do just fine. My planer is at my dad';s but will get moved back when the new shop is up.

[L. D. Jeffries]

For what its worth! My shop is about 30 ft from the main breaker box in the house. About 10 yrs ago some stupid (on my part) digging I managed to cut one leg of the buried cable. Put in a "vault" box splice. Never have had a problem since!