I want a fountain in the middle of my yard, about 30 feet from my garage. I can run direct bury cable off a GFCI protected circuit from the garage to the fountain location but I don’t understand how to connect the plug from the fountain to the cable. Can I have some type of outlet that is under the base of my fountain (out of sight). The base of the fountain is hollow and about 16” in diameter. What would this outlet look like?

 

This is a good application for an Arlington Gard-N-Post.

https://www.amazon.com/Gard-N-Post-L...ag=googhydr-20

 

That is not going to fit under the base of my fountain. It also cannot be installed anywhere close to the fountain, my wife would throw a fit. The fountain is in the middle of the yard.

 

Do you have a picture or make/model of the fountain so we can see it? Does it come with a prefab cord-and-plug attached to the pump or is it field wired?

 

Hi, any outlet you install must be accessible.
Geo

 

If it is a cord connected pump you need to have a receptacle for it. Plain and simple. You can not just connect a cord cap to UF cable.

You could install a weatherproof PVC enclosure flush with the ground and install a receptacle in a weatherproof single gang box inside the enclosure. Then, run the cord into the enclosure and plug it in. Just be aware that if any water gets into the enclosure it will likely trip the GFCI. Also, make sure not to install the GFCI in the enclosure as they are required to be readily accessible. Ideally, the GFCI should be installed before the UF enters the ground.

 

If the circuit cable is not buried at least 18" the circuit will need to have the GFCI protection at the source(house), not at the fountain. I assume we are talking about line voltage of 120V?

 

The receptacle doesn't need to be readily accessible if not a GFCI (use a GFCI breaker) and put a disconnect switch on the side of the house in view of the fountain if that's a concern.

 

Could use a weather proof outlet box on the house with a GFCI outlet feeding the circuit to the fountain. GFCI breakers cost too much.

 

I think I’ll try the suggestion to install a weatherproof enclosure with receptacle flush with the ground but I will install the GFCI in the garage before the UF enters the ground. I have enough room under the base of the fountain (about 16” diameter where it meets the ground).

 

my post again. You need to put the receptacle weatherproof box inside the enclosure.