Direct Burial Electrical Cable Depth

The direct burial method is the placement of a multi conductor cable with a jacket that is manufactured to resist the elements of corrosion associated with soil and moisture.

Direct burial electrical cable depth.

The cable is less likely to be cut or disturbed by typical digging if it is this far below ground. Job aid 08 underground electrical cable bury depth. In order to protect the public and prevent damage to underground electrical infrastructure the california electrical code prescribes burial depths for underground cable wire installations. Underground cable for running electrical power to a remote location can be installed at different depths depending on the type of conduit and type of wire used.

Wiring buried inside rigid metal rmc or intermediate metal imc conduit must have at least 6 inches of earth cover. Direct burial cable is a special type of electrical wiring or cable that is designed to be buried in a trench underground. For a 6 in deep trench use galvanized rigid metal electrical conduit with individual conductors inside. The individual electrical conducting wires inside the cable are encased in a solid thermoplastic sheath that seals out moisture and protects the conducting wires within.

When you run buried electrical cable for example from a house to a garage or to a gazebo it has to be protected to prevent mechanical damage to the insulation. Uf cable underground feeder cable is specially designed and manufactured with properties that make it ideal for burial. Electrical cable depth options. Construction job aid 08 underground electrical cable burial depths building safety division.

Type uf cable is the most commonly used nonmetallic cable for residential outdoor wiring runs. Wiring in pvc conduit must have at least. This cable should be buried at a depth of 24 inches. The national electrical code gives minimum burial depth recommendations and building codes specify local requirements that you must follow.

Uf cable can be direct buried without conduit with a minimum of 24 inches of earth cover. It is important to remember that minimum cover and minimum trench depth are not the same.