Direct Burial Electrical Cable Depth

The national electrical code gives minimum burial depth recommendations and building codes specify local requirements that you must follow.

Direct burial electrical cable depth.

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. 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. It is important to remember that minimum cover and minimum trench depth are not the same. Uf cable underground feeder cable is specially designed and manufactured with properties that make it ideal for burial.

Get free shipping on qualified direct burial wire or buy online pick up in store today in the electrical department. Wiring buried inside rigid metal rmc or intermediate metal imc conduit must have at least 6 inches of earth cover. Construction job aid 08 underground electrical cable burial depths building safety division. The cable is less likely to be cut or disturbed by typical digging if it is this far below ground.

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. This cable should be buried at a depth of 24 inches. According to note 1 under the table cover is defined as the shortest distance in inches between a point on the top surface of any direct buried conductor cable conduit or other raceway and the top surface of finished grade concrete or similar cover. 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.

Job aid 08 underground electrical cable bury depth. 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. For a 6 in deep trench use galvanized rigid metal electrical conduit with individual conductors inside. Decide how much digging you re prepared to do which determines the type of wire you need to use.

Electrical cable depth options. Type uf cable is the most commonly used nonmetallic cable for residential outdoor wiring runs.