National Electrical Code (NEC)Article 334.10(A) Underground Installations

Electrical equipment shall be installed in a suitable enclosure or raceway approved for the location.

Article 300.4(D) Raceways Installed Underground

Raceways installed underground shall be listed for direct burial, enclosed in raceways approved for the purpose, or embedded in concrete at least 2 inches thick.

Article 300.7(A) Flexible Cords and Cables

Flexible cords and cables shall not be used as a substitute for fixed wiring.

Interpretation

Based on the NEC requirements, running a factory-wired barbecue grill cord through a 12-inch thick paver patio wall with a PVC sleeve to a GFCI on the back side

would not be compliant with the code. The cord is not intended for direct burial or installation in a raceway.* The cord is not considered a permanent wiring solution and could become damaged or compromised by the environment.

Solution:

To ensure code compliance and the safe operation of the barbecue grill, you should use an approved conduit or raceway system that is designed for underground installation. The raceway should be embedded in concrete or encased in a listed enclosure for protection. You should also use a permanent wiring solution, such as THHN/THWN wire, to connect the barbecue grill to the GFCI. Flag for review