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Tips for installing underground electric cable
The first thing you must do is to call your local building and zoning department to find out what your local building code is for the installation of underground cable. The second thing to do is to call your local underground utility location service (Miss Utility) and have them come out to the work area and determine whether or not there are any buried utilities. They will mark all buried utilities with paint on the ground. This is a free service in all areas that I’m aware of, and it sure beats lighting up like a Christmas tree when you hit that buried electric line. Stay at least 2’ from all marked lines.
You can direct bury cable using UF direct bury cable, or place the cable into a conduit made of approved pvc pipe or plastic. I really prefer the conduit method because if you have a problem later, you don’t have to dig up the entire cable. Just dig up each end, secure the new wire to the old wire, go to the other end and pull the old wire to you until the new wire appears. Also, if you happen to be digging in that area later, and you didn’t call Miss Utility first, you will hit the conduit before chopping through the wire and frying yourself.
If you are unable to get a code depth from the building department, or if you don’t have a building department, the rule of thumb is that energized power cables should be at least 36” below grade. That puts them below the frost line in most areas and below most people digging to plant a tree or shrub. If your area has deeper frost, call a local electrician for clarification if you have to.
Although you can hand dig this, I really recommend renting a “ditch witch” ditcher or small backhoe for this project if you have more than a few feet to go. Unless of course, you have a teenager in the household who owes you money. Then you can hand them the digging tools, make a frosty beverage, sit on the porch and smile.
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