Conductor Type - Which to Use

[Chewy]

I need to re-do my detached garage electrical in its entirety. The last issue I have to decide on is my main-to-sub conductor type. I WAS planning to run (from a 60A, 2-pole breaker) a 6/3 conductor through my crawlspace (about 40') into a junction box on the back wall of the house, then continue underground with UF to the sub in the garage (another 40'). Now I'm wondering if it would be better to run UF the whole way...just drop into the dirt before it leaves the crawlspace and continue it buried the rest of the way. Is there anything else I should consider in making my choice? Thanks.

[suemarkp]

It would be better not to splice and instead run UF the entire way. If you want to avoice running wires in a buried conduit, an unspliced run of UF is probably the next best choice. I think a 125' spool is a common size for 6-3 UF and may be about the same price as 90' bought by the foot. How you get out of the crawlspace can be an issue. I suppose you can drill a hole, stick it through, and bend it down into the dirt, but you have to protect that cable with something (e.g. wood guard boards). What looks nicer is an LB fitting and three feet or so of sch80 PVC conduit. I'd choose 1.5" for 6-3 UF. Remember that direct buried cables must be 24" down.