Is it PVC? Is it rigid? is it UF cable? PVC is cheap, but you have to go deeper in the ground. Rigid is more expensive, but you don't have to go as deep, but more labor involved putting in together. UF cable is cheap, but you have to go deeper, and you get call backs sometimes. I would think PVC is the winner here?
Whats the most cost affective way to run underground?
- Thread starter zappy
- Start date
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Depending on geological location and POCO requirements, AHJ adopted rules is the general guide before selecting what is installed. Using NEC and having a choice for long run laterals economy, USE direct burial in prepared trench sand bed wins over major costs of piping, and UF cable additional expense. Digging a trench requires the equipment so an added few inches of depth isn't going to break the bank on a backhoe or ditch witch cost. This is all said over an open spec involving service and outbuildings or well systems on an overall basis for running residential laterals. Harder terrain and soil conditions are the true factor. rbj
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Ran power to a well house this year and the ground was solid sandstone. Opted for RMC. Sometimes consideration of burial depths has its merits.
Every other time this year, last year, the year before that, and the year before that, and the...... it was PVC.
"More labor involved in putting together" ridgid is an understatement.
Every other time this year, last year, the year before that, and the year before that, and the...... it was PVC.
"More labor involved in putting together" ridgid is an understatement.
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Sandstone must not be soft in CO...
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
We don't have to contend with stone or rocks of any kind. Just gophers. We are allowed to use DB duct for most installations outside of the larger city jurisdictions. The conductors must be rated for direct burial and depth a min of 24". When the customer does not want or just plain can't afford the added cost, direct bury cable with a taillight warranty.
MarkyMarkNC
Senior Member
- Location
- Raleigh NC
For short runs where it is not worth it to bring out a trencher, another consideration is wear and tear on my back. For short or complicated runs that mostly need to be hand dug, I opt for RMC every time.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
There's also horizontal boring, especially nice for minimal ground disturbance.
okeefe
Member
- Location
- Albany New York
It depend on your soil conditions, Pvc seems the way to go, it is inexpensive to purchase and easy to install.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
No it's not. It's hard.
No soft nothin' nowhere. Every thing here is hard.
The rocks, the weather, the people, the work, the air....everything- HARD!
e57
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
White can of spray paint - 811 on your cell, and call an excavating company for an estimate....
Otherwise it is PVC....
Otherwise it is PVC....
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
The air?
Charlie Bob
Senior Member
- Location
- West Tennessee
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
The air?
Yes the air- thin air makes it hard to breathe here.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Try country-wide.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
"I see" said the blind man.
hardworkingstiff
Senior Member
- Location
- Wilmington, NC
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Thanx for the explanation, Mr. Stiff. :grin:That HARD WORK makes me stiff.
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