20 foot power cord...

[Beanbone]

Hi

First off, great website. Already got some great tips on building my new pond less waterfall.

I'm trying to hook up my power supply to my submersible pump. I have a GFI outdoor outlet 20 ft away. I know that outlets should be at least 5 feet from the pond, but is 20 feet too far?

I'd love to avoid calling the electrician, getting a permit and installing an entirely new outlet. Can I just run the power cord in 1 1/2 inch conduit 18 inches below ground to the outlet?

 

[addy1]

I would say yes, my honey is an electrician, we ran power cords (100 feet long) to power the pump, aerator etc for over a year, above ground................

A power cord put in conduit below ground, you should be fine. Make sure it is a outdoor rated power cord, good insulation.

 

[brandonsdad02]

You could even direct burial the cord if its rated for Outdoor wet condition use. I have my power to my pond direct burial in UF outdoor romex wire. I have 12-3 running down there with 2 circuits.

 

[addy1]

We finally ran 12/3 romex wire to the pond, but did run it through pvc we had buried just for the pond wires. We have a lot of chewing critters that like to taste test.

 

[smcox1]

20' feet is fine I have a 50' extension cord to my big pond that I have used for 2 years with no problem. I also run a big ac two fans a radio and a surveillance camera with 2 100' heavy duty extension cords connected to each other for over 5 years without any problem.

 

[buckry]

My goldfish pond is run using a 25' cord, has been that way since I set it up last summer, never had an issue.

And the new koi pond is done this way as well just so I can hide the cords better and have easier access to unplug things during maintenance. I put in these garden stake things with 3 outlets on the end of a 10' cord. I have 2 of these, one for each end of the pond. Both have an aerator and 2000gph pump plugged into them. I don't anticipate any problems.

 

[Beanbone]

Thanks everyone. That is a relief. So, it seems that above ground is ok. I will be disconnecting in winter anyway.

 

[addy1]

Thanks everyone. That is a relief. So, it seems that above ground is ok. I will be disconnecting in winter anyway.

Just know where it is lol, I almost chopped ours, it had gotten covered with some mulch.