underground service trench depth

[iand74]

The POCO I have worked with in the past requires a 30" trench for an underground service. I'm planning an underground service with a different POCO (National Grid) and they only require the trench to be NEC compliant.



As far as i can see NEC only requires 18" per 300.5. True?

Conductors will be in PVC

 

[augie47]

Unless you are under a street, highway, road, driveway or parking lot.

 

[Volta]

And of course that is the minimum cover above the wiring, better ask for a 22 or 24" trench to get 18" above.

 

[mwm1752]

Don't forget the warning ribbon above the service conductors.