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How to Install Electrical Conduit Outdoors
|
Available Only at Your Local Store:
| • | Rigid steel conduit, ¾ inch. sold in 10 ft. lengths |
| • | 90° metallic LB Fitting, ¾ in. (2) |
| • | Wet location outlet box and cover with 3 ¾ in. knock out holes (1) |
| • | Steel ¾ in. one-hole rigid conduit strap (1) |
| • | Masonry screws |
| • | Silicone caulk |
| • | ½ in. set screw or compression connector |
| • | Reducing bushing, ½ x ¾ in. (1) |
| • | ½ in. electrical metal tubing (EMT) for indoor run |
| • | Self tapping screws |
Follow These Steps
Step One
| Drill a Hole |
| 1. | Measure carefully both inside and outside the house before you drill to ensure that the hole you drill is near the inside power source and goes through the rim joist, not the foundation or first floor of the house. |
| 2. | Drill a hole sized to fit your conduit through the outside wall at the point where you want the wire to exit the house. |
Step Two
| Cut the EMT Conduit to Create a Nipple |
| 1. | Use a vise to hold the ½ in. steel EMT conduit. |
| 2. | Use a hacksaw to cut a piece of steel EMT conduit to fit through the hole and extend 1 in. into the inside. This short piece of steel EMT conduit is called a nipple. |
| 3. | Use a pair of channellocks to remove the burrs on the end of the EMT conduit. |
Step Three
| Attach the LB Fitting |
| 1. | Install a 3/4 x 1/2 in. reducing bushing and a ½ in. compression connector in the top hole of the LB and slide the steel EMT conduit nipple onto one end and tighten with a wrench. |
| 2. | Slide the conduit/LB assembly into the wall until the fitting is up against the outside wall of the house. |
| 3. | Check the inside to be sure it sticks out about 1 in. |
Step Four
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Dig a Trench
Dig a trench from directly under the LB fitting to the location of the outdoor light. Make the trench width the width of the shovel and 24 inches deep. Keep the trench as straight as possible. Check local codes to ensure compliance. |
Step Five
| Cut and Attach the Rigid Steel Conduit |
| 1. | Cut a piece of conduit to fit between the LB fitting and the 90° sweep fitting that will bend into the trench using the same procedure as in Step Two to cut and de-burr. |
| 2. | Attach the end of the conduit to the LB fitting. |
| 3. | Attach the other end of the conduit to the sweep fitting. The bottom of the sweep should rest in the bottom of the trench. |
Step Six
| Strap the Conduit to the House |
| 1. | Drill a hole in the foundation just below the LB fitting to attach the rigid steel conduit to the house, as needed. |
| 2. | Use a masonry screw to attach the one hole steel conduit strap to the foundation. |
Step Seven
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Seal the Gaps
Apply caulk to the gaps where the LB fitting meets the wall to make it waterproof. |
Step Eight
| Attach a Metal Outlet Box to the Rigid Steel Conduit and Light Post |
| 1. | Measure the last length of rigid conduit to reach the location for the outdoor light fixture. Cut it to length, allowing enough extra conduit to make a final 90° bend to come up out of your trench and attach to a metal wet location outlet box. |
| 2. | Attach the outlet box to the end of the ¾ in. rigid steel conduit with a ¾ in. rigid set screw or compression connector. |
| 3. | Drill a hole in the back of the outlet box and attach the box to the base of the light pole using a self tapping screw. |
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