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My view on conduit use after 1000+ installs
I know most installers say you should always use conduit for outdoor runs, but I disagree. In my experience, direct burial cable works just fine for many jobs. For example, on simple home setups where the line is buried a foot deep, I've had no problems over years. Conduit can add extra cost and slow down the work without much benefit. Sure, it might help in rough areas, but for most backyards, it's not needed. I think we should trust our skills and save time where we can.
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leotaylor7mo ago
Working on a job site in Phoenix last year, we had to redo a whole backyard because direct burial cable got chewed through by rodents. Conduit would have stopped that damage cold. It also lets you pull new wires later if tech changes or you need an upgrade. Yes, it costs more up front, but fixing failed lines costs way more time and money. Your skills are good, but why risk a call back for something you can prevent? In the end, conduit is just smart insurance for your work.
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diana_flores257mo ago
But honestly, I've seen direct burial cable hold up just fine for over a decade with no rodent issues. If you bury it deep and use the right type, pests often leave it alone. Conduit adds time and cost that doesn't always pay off, especially in areas without big rodent problems. And let's be real, a lot of new tech is going wireless, so pulling new wires later might not even be needed.
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