How to Wire a Subterranean Root Cellar

Introduction

Having a root cellar allows me to store fruits and vegetables for use throughout the winter. However, in order to keep conditions ideal, I need to ensure my root cellar has proper ventilation and temperature control. An important part of this is installing the right electrical wiring to power fans, lights, and temperature sensors. In this guide, I will walk through all the steps I took to wire my below-ground root cellar from start to finish.

Selecting the Location

The first step is deciding where to locate the root cellar wiring. Some key factors I considered:

• Accessibility - The wiring needs to be easy to reach for maintenance and repairs. I chose a spot along the wall near the cellar entrance.

• Protection - I wanted the wiring enclosed and sheltered from dirt and moisture. Running it through buried conduit accomplishes this.

• Proximity - The wiring should be close to where the powered devices (fans, lights) will go. I measured and mapped out locations in advance.

After assessing my space, I chose the front right corner near the entrance to run my conduit and wiring. This met all my criteria.

Running the Conduit

With the wiring location selected, I began running electrical conduit from the root cellar to my main electrical panel:

• I used 1/2 inch PVC conduit buried 12 inches below the surface. This protects the wiring from dirt and moisture.

• The conduit runs 20 feet from the panel to the root cellar entrance. I used waterproof PVC cement to join pieces.

• Elbow joints allow the conduit to turn corners smoothly on its path between the buildings.

• I ensured the trench has proper drainage so water doesn't pool around the conduit.

The finished conduit provides a reliable pathway for running my wiring between the panel and root cellar.

Pulling the Wires Through the Conduit

Once the conduit was fully in place, I was ready to pull the wires through:

• I used 12/2 uf-b wiring designed for direct underground burial. It has thick, durable insulation.

• To pull the wires, I tied a sturdy rope to the end and fished it through the conduit.

• I made sure to leave plenty of extra wire, at least 15 feet, for easy connections and maneuverability inside the cellar.

• In total, I pulled four wire bundles - two for lights, one for fans, and one spare.

• I also pulled poly rope through an extra conduit as a placeholder for future expansion.

Pulling the wires was smooth and easy thanks to the properly laid conduit. The wf-b wiring will hold up well underground.

Installing the Outlet and Junction Boxes

With the wires pulled, I proceeded to install the outlets and connections:

• Root cellar box - I installed a 4x4 junction box just inside the cellar entrance. This allows connections to lights, fans, and sensors.

• Waterproof cover - The box has a gasketed cover made for wet areas. This prevents moisture from getting in.

• DGFCI outlet - Nearby I installed a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet. This provides safe power for tools and equipment.

• Main panel box - At the main panel, I installed a junction box for connecting the wires from the conduit.

• All boxes are securely mounted and use appropriate connectors and strain reliefs.

The boxes provide safe access points for the wiring terminations.

Making the Electrical Connections

Now it was time to make the final electrical connections:

• I inserted cable clamps and stripped the insulation from the wire ends.

• Following the wiring diagram, I connected the hot, neutral, and ground wires to the appropriate terminals.

• To confirm polarity and prevent shocks, I used a multimeter to test each wire before connecting anything to power.

• I properly spliced all wire joints using wire nuts and electrical tape for a secure hold.

• Once all connections were made, I powered up the system briefly to verify all circuits were working properly.

Double checking all the connections ensured my wiring job was complete and mistake-free.

Powering Up and Testing

The last step was powering everything on and testing operation:

• I switched on the main breaker feeding the root cellar wiring.

• Inside the cellar, I plugged in lights and fans to test each outlet and circuit.

• To check grounding, I used a multimeter between hot wires and box ground screws.

• Thermometers and hygrometers verified the temperature and humidity reached optimal ranges.

• I monitored the wires for high heat during operation - an indicator of faulty wiring.

• Finally, I reset the GFCI using the test button to confirm it was tripping properly.

With the lighting, ventilation, and sensors performing as expected, my newly wired root cellar was ready for action!

Conclusion

Installing wiring in my below-ground root cellar took careful planning and step-by-step execution. But now produce can stay fresh all winter long thanks to properly powered lights, fans, and climate control. The underground conduit and wiring provides reliable, long-lasting performance. Testing each component before completion ensured all circuits operate safely and efficiently.