Can thhn or thwn be direct burried in contact with earth?

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ritelec

ritelec

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Jersey
Hi all......
I also frequent a forum that talks about acoustics (music). In mentioning to someone who is building a studio about a job I had done in the past, underground pvc, he commented back that thhn or thwn could be buried in direct contact with earth. I posted back for him to send the article number. I've never heard of such a thing. Is he right???

Thank you.
Rich
 
ritelec said:
Hi all......
I also frequent a forum that talks about acoustics (music). In mentioning to someone who is building a studio about a job I had done in the past, underground pvc, he commented back that thhn or thwn could be buried in direct contact with earth. I posted back for him to send the article number. I've never heard of such a thing. Is he right???

Thank you.
Rich
Click to expand...
310.7 Direct-Burial Conductors. Conductors used for
direct-burial applications shall be of a type identified for
such use.

I have not seen or heard of any thhn or thwn that is identified for direct burial.
 
The answer is definitely no - See 300.3(A):
300.3 Conductors.
(A) Single Conductors.
Single conductors specified in Table 310.13(A) shall only be installed where part of a recognized wiring method of Chapter 3.
Exception: Individual conductors shall be permitted where installed as separate overhead conductors in accordance with 225.6.
Click to expand...
 
Dennis Alwon said:
The most common direct burial cable is RHH/RHW. It is dual rated
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RHH/RHW-2 is my favorite conductor for "industrial" use. It covers a lot of sins. BUT unless that dual rating is something other than RHH/RHW, it's still a violation to direct bury it.

infinity said:
We bury #6 THWN GEC's to ground rods all of the time.
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This wouldn't bother me as an AHJ. I would consider it a "covered" bare conductor - that isn't in Table 310.13(A). Technically though, within the strict text of 300.3(A) - what you do "all the time" is still a violation.
 
ritelec said:
Hi all......
I also frequent a forum that talks about acoustics (music). In mentioning to someone who is building a studio about a job I had done in the past, underground pvc, he commented back that thhn or thwn could be buried in direct contact with earth. I posted back for him to send the article number. I've never heard of such a thing. Is he right???

Thank you.
Rich
Click to expand...

maybe it's for speaker wire?

*ducks*
 
When we were kids we ran #12 ? thhn? under ground four houses away so we could talk to each other over it. I bet it is still there, how good it is now 40 yrs. later?
 
JON...PUT THE CONDUIT AND THHN/THWN IN, FORGET ABOUT THE RHH/RHW and MAKE MUSIC

JON...PUT THE CONDUIT AND THHN/THWN IN, FORGET ABOUT THE RHH/RHW and MAKE MUSIC

Thank you again....................

buried #12, 40 yrs later.........................I'd venture to say you could probably have a conversation still. However, there may be some contact with earth, so you also may be able to talk with John Lennon, or Zappa, or......

all in fun gents........RIP the above mentioned.
 
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