Okay, this is a tough situation with fire damage adding complexity. Let's break down the best options for your well house 30A feed, given the circumstances and your experience.

Underground Considerations After a Fire



Soil Conditions

The fire likely changed the soil composition near the surface. It could be more acidic, drier, or contain ash residue that could corrode some materials faster. Keep this in mind when choosing your method.

Debris

Make sure the trench is meticulously cleared of any sharp debris (metal, glass, etc.) that could puncture direct burial cable or PVC.

Code Compliance is Key

This is NOT a situation to cut corners. Safety is paramount, especially with a well (water and electricity).

Your Options Analyzed


PVC Conduit (with a Transition)



Feasibility

Yes, this is generally permitted and is likely your most practical option given your experience and available tools.

Procedure



Underground

Use Schedule 40 PVC (or Schedule 80 if you expect heavy traffic or potential impact) for the underground run. Bury it at the correct depth (typically 18 inches for residential, but ALWAYS check your local codes – they take precedence).

Wiring

Use THWN (Thermoplastic High Water Nylon) insulated wires inside the PVC conduit. NEVER run NM-B (Romex) or UF cable inside conduit underground. (THWN is rated for wet locations)

Transition

Right at ground level (or just below, if you prefer a stub-up), use a PVC female adapter to connect to a short run of EMT.

EMT

Use compression fittings on the EMT. These are weatherproof, but not rated for direct burial, which is why you transition above ground. You can paint the exposed EMT for additional protection.

Bonding/Grounding

Make sure you have a proper grounding conductor (green or bare copper) running inside the conduit to the well house. This is CRITICAL for safety. The EMT must also be properly grounded.

Sealing

Use duct seal around the wires where they enter the conduit in the well house and the panel to prevent water and bugs from entering.

Advantages

Relatively inexpensive, easy to work with, resistant to most soil conditions.

Disadvantages

Can be damaged by physical impact if not buried deeply enough.

Important Note

Use proper PVC glue (cement and primer) designed for electrical conduit.2.

Direct Burial Cable (UF-B)



Feasibility

Permissible in many locations, but check your local codes.

Procedure

Bury UF-B cable directly in the ground at the correct depth (typically 24 inches, but again, check local codes). Protect the cable with a PVC sleeve where it exits the ground and enters the well house and panel.

Advantages

Potentially less labor than running conduit.

Disadvantages

More susceptible to damage from digging or sharp objects in the soil. Difficult to replace or repair without digging up the entire run. The cable insulation can be damaged over time by certain soil conditions. Rodents also love to chew on UF cable.3.

Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)



Feasibility

Ideal for durability, but you stated you don't have a threader. Also, it's expensive.

Procedure

Thread and assemble RMC, using appropriate couplings and fittings. Bury it at the correct depth. RMC needs to be properly grounded.

Advantages

Maximum protection against physical damage. Long lifespan.

Disadvantages

Expensive, requires specialized tools (threader), heavy, and can corrode in some soils (especially if not properly coated).4.

Galvanized Rigid Conduit (GRC)

Similar to RMC but can be lighter and may have a different coating. Still needs threading.5.

EMT Conduit



Feasibility

Not for direct burial.

Recommendation for the Well House Feed

Given your situation, I strongly recommend

Option 1: PVC Conduit with a Transition to EMT. It provides a good balance of cost, ease of installation, and protection. It is also the SAFEST option as if something happens to the cable, the conduit will prevent it from energizing the surrounding area.

Important Considerations for ALL Options



Grounding

This is absolutely critical for safety. Make sure you have a proper grounding conductor running to the well house and bonded to any metal parts. A ground rod at the well house itself is a good idea, connected to the grounding conductor.

Local Codes

I can't stress this enough. Your local electrical codes always take precedence. Contact your local building inspector to get specific requirements for your area. They may have restrictions on conduit type, burial depth, or grounding requirements.

Permits

Check if you need a permit for this work. It's better to be safe than sorry.

GFCI Protection

The well house circuit must be GFCI protected. You can use a GFCI breaker in the main panel, or a GFCI receptacle at the well house, depending on the layout.

Wire Size

For a 30A circuit, you typically need #10 AWG copper wire (or equivalent aluminum).

Professional Advice

If you're unsure about any aspect of this, consult with a licensed electrician. Electrical work can be dangerous, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

The Feed-Through Panel

You described a panel where the pole feed goes into the panel, feeds the house, and then has breakers for the barn and pump house. This isn't particularly unusual. It's essentially a subpanel that's also acting as a distribution point for other loads. Here's what you need to consider:

Main Breaker

The panel needs a main breaker to protect the entire setup. The size of the main breaker needs to be appropriate for the service coming from the pole.

Breaker Sizes

Make sure the breakers for the house, barn, and pump house are sized correctly for the loads they serve.

Load Calculation

Do a proper load calculation to ensure that the panel has enough capacity for all the connected loads (house, barn, pump house).

Neutral and Ground

In a subpanel (which this is, technically), the neutral and ground must be kept separate. Do NOT bond the neutral bar to the panel enclosure.

Enclosure

The panel needs to be rated for outdoor use (NEMA 3R or similar) if it's exposed to the elements.*

Wiring

All wiring inside the panel must be done neatly and according to code.

Recommendation for the Panel

1.

Purchase a new Main Lug Only (MLO) panel

This allows you to feed power into the main lugs and then distribute it to the breakers below.2.

Size the panel appropriately

Make sure the panel has enough breaker slots to accommodate all the circuits you need (house, barn, pump house, and any spares).3.

Install a main breaker

Install a breaker backwards and use the load lugs to connect the wires from the meter.4.

Ensure proper grounding

Ground the panel to a ground rod.

In summary


Well House Feed

PVC conduit with THWN wire, buried at the correct depth, transitioning to EMT above ground.2.

Panel: Replace with a properly sized panel, ensuring proper grounding and load calculation.Remember: Consult your local codes and building inspector. If you're not comfortable with any of this, hire a licensed electrician. Good luck, and stay safe! Flag for review