Can you bury sprinkler wire

Like sprinkler pipes, you should bury the conduit at least 6 inches deep sometimes more if municipal code requires. This will protect it from shovels and tillers. Conduit is not just for underground, though, and should also be used as you feed wires above ground.

Because UV rays can damage the plastic shielding and decrease the lifespan of exposed wires, the conduit will keep from growing brittle and breaking. Plus, it just looks neater and cleaner. When wiring the valves, use wire nuts and grease caps. The wire nuts create a secure connection between wires and the grease caps will ensure a waterproof seal.

Water getting into the wiring often damages the solenoids beyond repair, so this small investment will prevent extra expense and hassle. Does sprinkler wire need to be buried? How many sprinkler heads can I put on one zone? What does the common wire do in a sprinkler system? Does it matter which wire goes where on a sprinkler solenoid? What wire is used for irrigation? How do you fix underground electrical wire insulation? Can you reuse waterproof wire connectors? Can you run sprinkler wire above ground?

Can I use thermostat wire for sprinklers? How many sprinkler wires do I need? What is the difference between 18 5 and 18 7 sprinkler wire?

How far can you run 18 AWG wire? How much does it cost to rewire a sprinkler system? How do I turn off the power to my sprinkler system? Why would one sprinkler zone not work? What is common wire? How long do I run my sprinklers to get 1 inch of water? Each sprinkler has wires running to it so that it will turn on and off when its zone is selected for operation. Correctly running the sprinkler wires to the various zone valves and sprinklers is the key to successful operation of your outdoor automatic sprinkler system.

To run sprinkler wire, you will need to know the proper methods to use. Use wire that has more hookups than you need. Often times you will only have three or four different zones in your automatic sprinkler system. In most communities, you will have to leave the trench open until the inspector arrives to approve the depth.

How far can I run 18 - gauge wire? There are many things to consider when sizing wire : voltage coming out of the controller, the solenoid draw, how many valves you're trying to operate, quality of your wire splices, etc.

For a rough rule of thumb, 18 - gauge is good for feet, if you are operating one valve at a time. Cut the cable and strip back the wires about an inch from both ends. Join the twisted ends using twist-on connectors; then secure the juncture with electrical tape. Test the connection by turning the electrical supply back on. Valves can be submerged in water for long periods of time, probably indefinitely.