Another question beyond my meter socket

[jentz]

Off my outdoor breaker box. I ran 10-3 underground to a post and I want to install 2 recepticals, each off a seperate 15A breaker.Question Can I split the UF 10-3 and use the black lead for 1 box then run the red to the next box? The boxes are stacked one ontop of the other lowest is 14 inches above grade then a 4 inch seperation.If I can how do I strip the gray shielding??

Question 2 my meter box and breaker are mounted on 1 4X4 back to back can I drill out the backs of each box,Where there are no knockouts to make my main 4/0-4/0-2/0 connection threw conduit?

Thank you mnfishinguy for your last answer.I did call the inspecter with this question,I got a answer machine and who knows when he may, or not call back.

[Dave]

Maybe you can, or want to, install both receptacles in the same box (double gang) and wire one half to each breaker.

[jentz]

Thanks Dave but the double box is wider than the 4x4 post.With it protruding the riding mower may be a problem. I am not sure but code may prohibit it that way also.Still waiting on a call from the inspecter.

[Dave]

Can't be much different than a square meter socket mounted on a round power line pole. But, if it doesn't work for your application, that's cool.

I believe there are connectors to connect two boxes together, too, so you wouldn't have to deal with that 4" separation.

[Whoaru99]

Off my outdoor breaker box. I ran 10-3 underground to a post and I want to install 2 recepticals, each off a seperate 15A breaker.Question Can I split the UF 10-3 and use the black lead for 1 box then run the red to the next box? The boxes are stacked one ontop of the other lowest is 14 inches above grade then a 4 inch seperation.If I can how do I strip the gray shielding??

Yeah, I think you could but two circuits on a 3-wire cable means a common neutral circuit. For common neutral circuits I believe you need to use a common trip/two pole breaker, or two separate breakers with an actuator tie kit.

This for two reasons -

1. Makes sure the cable is dead because if just one side were to trip someone who didn't actually check might assume the whole cable/circuit was dead.

2. Forces the breakers to be on opposite legs of the panel so that the neutral sees only the difference of the two circuit loads rather than the sum, if they're on the same leg, which could/would be dangerous.

Also, IMO, since you're running 10ga you might just as well use 20A breaker.

[JohnMickish]

No, you cannot legally drill out the box, that will violate the UL listing.

On UF cable the best way to strip off the gray coating is to use an old potato peeler. No kidding.

Now why did you run 10 gauge wire and want a 15 amp receptacle?

[Whoaru99]

There would be less voltage drop. Whether or not it ends up being a meaningful factor depends, of course, on the length of the run and load.

[JohnMickish]

I know there would be less voltage drop but to stay under 3% the run would have to be 100 feet for 10 gauge wire to come into play at 15 amps. Most DIY guys don't know or take voltage drop into consideration so that is why I asked.

[jentz]

There would be less voltage drop. Whether or not it ends up being a meaningful factor depends, of course, on the length of the run and load.

Exactly I did check voltage drop,I used 97ft.of wire, breaker to recepticals. I did use a two pole 15A breaker.I also checked other neighbors boxes.Sewer was recently installed and those electricans drilled out meter boxes and shutoff boxes,and one outdoor breaker box.They were existing and they made the same back to back drilled out connections I just did.The inspecter never called back, so I went knocking on doors asking to open their boxes.All those boxes were installed and inspected so I figure I am ok.

Thanks for the help.

I like to think I am abit more cautious and gather more information than the average DIYer!