How Do You Hide The Cord And Where Do You Plug It In For Outdoor Water Fountains?
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 at
10:08 am
I wanted an outdoor little water fountain. The ones I see have pumps and plugs- that come from the base of the fountain. Where do you plug them in? The outside plug? What if the fountain is further away? Can I use an extension cord? Are there tricks to hiding the cord? Is it best to unplug them when they aren’t in use?
Tagged with: Cord • Fountains • Hide • Outdoor • Plug • Water • Where
Filed under: Water Fountain Pumps
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Whomever installed your new addition should have had both the knowledge and ability to perform the functions you are requesting! I will state that I apologize if you alone bought and installed the unit.
In order to have any power inside the house you need to dedicate a GFC or outlet box from the circuit box to the exterior of the home. This box can be two to four outlets and is a watersealed box generally mid-house front. You can use this unit to power lighting for seasons such as Christmas and outdoor parties. From the unit an electrician can place a secure outlet box in both the front and rear of the box making the ability for power for any usage you need.
Please hire an Electrician to install both box units. The Pond/Fountain pumps need little elec or amps. They should be able to run a weather-proof (Pvc 0r Coaxial) line directly from the front box unit to the power unit of the pond or fountain you wish to have. Have them also place a dual switch on both the front and rear boxes. This will allow you to run the pump when needed, turn it off, and allow you to flip another switch to turn on outside lights.
I personally rewired, with the help of an electrician, such a set-up. For the extra monies I bought a GFI fuse for the Circuit Box. Make sure you buy high end exterior outlet boxes. Twenty years later it has never caused a problem and is an asset.
If you wish to go with plug-in and run to the fountain I strongly suggest that you purchase a true heavy-duty 12 extension cord, 1/4 inch pvc pipe and connections, and a GFI outlet. Drill an unapparent hole thru the facing of the house and run the cord along the house and into the garden. Dig a trench from the site of the exposure from the home to the pump. Dig this roughly six inches from the edge of any garden to the connection point.
Think of an irrigation system. What you are doing is the same, except, you are providing power and not water! Bury the supply, protect it, and, make sure you have the proper electrical back-up via the GFI. Good Luck with this. Frankly I would suggest you use the electrician and have them trench to the fountain with coaxial. Exterior outlets are a great asset.
Before backfilling you can always encapuslate the coax with the PvC (cheap). This puts the responsibility on the Supplier not you. Good Luck.
I am at gjgjobs@yahoo.com.
You can run the cord through your landscaping and just cover with mulch or pine straw (whatever you prefer). Potted plants like ferns also help hide the outlet.
the best way is to run an outdoor cable inside an undergound pvc pipe, and install a waterproof GFC receptacles outlet near your fountain. This guarantee you won’t be electrocuted.
You can dig a small trench and run the extension cord through a plastic water pipe. Seal both ends of the pipe from water. Be sure to use an outlet that has a ground fault (most out side outlets do unless you ha an older home).