My outside electrical outlet metal casing broke off where it enters the ground?

Question

Do i need an electrician to fix this? How far below ground does the casing usually run? I really hope i don't have to dig the entire thing up. I did this while trying to replace the outlet box, because the screws were rusted out. I twisted to attempt to remove just the box, but ended up torquing the whole thing and it snapped the conduit right off. The wires are still intact.

Answer 1

It may not actually be broken off.  It may have been stubbed just into the dirt.  Often the conduit is protecting the wire until it gets into the ground.  The wire may be direct burial wire or UF wire the is running through the conduit.

Answer 2

Do it right and Spike have good answers.  Depending on the code in your area, it's buried anywhere between 12" and 18".  The only other thing I would add is if when you dig down and find more rotted pipe, you should just replace the whole "run" and eliminate any future issues that you will have with it.

Answer 3

Buy some flexible vinyl tubing.  You can split it and wrap the wires, then tape it.

Answer 4

If you dig to expose the pipe, there will be a coupling within 10'.   You'll be able to replace it from that point with new stuff.

If there is a ground wire in the pipe, I would transition from metal to PVC so it won't rot again in the future.

Be sure to turn off the power prior to working on it!