All the time, when I went underground, no conduit, I covered the conductors in pipe insulation, it protect the wires, only one inspector didn't like it, but after my dis-retirement I will continue using it. Why that inspector didn't like it? I don't think it was based in heat factor as they always are 24" deep.
Don't scold
- Thread starter Esthy
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electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
- Occupation
- Electrician
Well thats a good idea for physical protection...but how much does that cost per 10 feet? 2" PVC is 6 dollars.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
If that's what you want to do go for it.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
You must protect for rocks. Our gophers would use that as an appetizer. I wonder if they would choke on it?
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I would rather use conduit but this is not a bad idea when it comes to protection from rocks.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Did you run UF cable inside this stuff?
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Good question, I have never measured. Thinking butt deep at least. Once they find loose dirt along the wire they travel along it snacking as they go.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Google says may reach 5-6 feet in depth.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
as a relatively inexpensive means of physical protection of the UG cable it has some merit.
smurf tubing is even cheaper though and might be easier to use.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I have repaired rodent damaged conductors that were (add "four to")six feet deep many times.
Very first time was about a week into my first job in the electrical trade, and I remember it well as we literally hand dug two "graves" to access and repair two different spots in that cable run.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Electrician - but not by NC Law.
I'm not sure what your trying to do applying that, but my city, county or state inspector
would ask where's that listed for that use.
Electrons don't freeze till near absolute zero. Yes there could be some consideration for
below Zero degree applications of wire, and wire does move when in lower temperatures as well as higher temperatures
Depending where your frost line is it still won't matter, the frost line is a mean measurement to your area.
yes the ground below the line can freeze. While its a consideration for supply lines and draining waste lines
it just doesn't matter for us. I to took a look at 310 tables and all correction factors stated at 40 deg C.
I get a warm and fuzzy feeling doing some electrical work, but this isn't one!
would ask where's that listed for that use.
Electrons don't freeze till near absolute zero. Yes there could be some consideration for
below Zero degree applications of wire, and wire does move when in lower temperatures as well as higher temperatures
Depending where your frost line is it still won't matter, the frost line is a mean measurement to your area.
yes the ground below the line can freeze. While its a consideration for supply lines and draining waste lines
it just doesn't matter for us. I to took a look at 310 tables and all correction factors stated at 40 deg C.
I get a warm and fuzzy feeling doing some electrical work, but this isn't one!
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I don't know what the reason is either but would have to ask just what does the direct burial rated conductor (assuming we do at least have that) need to be buried in? And what about pulling direct burial rated conductor in a raceway in the first place - that is no longer direct burial.
We run direct bury cables all the time in a pipe (not listed as a raceway) in these parts and have been doing so for years. We do it for rodent protection. But inspectors will not let us use those non listed pipes for conductors not direct burial listed.
I have brought this up before on this site and some think I have done something so horrible I need to go to hell for it.
All I can say to them is right or wrong come here and bid your method against others from the area that use this other method - and it passes inspections - and see who gets the job, unless you find other ways that are code compliant to reduce costs, have a good source price wise on alternate options, or just don't have the same overhead costs.
It is not a bid killer if the underground is a small part of the project - but if most of the project is the underground install like it is for a field irrigation system -- good luck.
electricalist
Senior Member
- Location
- dallas tx
And now I can't post that, thanks Dennis
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Carultch
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
Are you using it with wire and cable that is rated for direct-burial? If so, I wouldn't see a problem with it. I would make sure that your ampacity has a good safety factor on it, because that is thermal insulation.
If you are running cable that isn't rated for direct burial, then that is a violation. When burying cable such as THWN-2 that isn't rated for direct burial, you need to use conduit that is.
John120/240
Senior Member
- Location
- Olathe, Kansas
Don't be so hard on yourself. It might be unconventional is somebodys opinion, But if it works for your situation fine. There is nothing inherently wrong or dangerous with your method, just something not use to seeing.
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