CAT6 direct burial depth?

[S'mise]

I'm hooking up cameras for a security system.

I see the burial table where irrigation control and landscape lighting only requires a 6" of cover.

Surely I don't have to go 18" for low voltage cables in a residential application?

No code book nearby but, Should I be looking in art 800 for this depth?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I don't believe Chapters 1-4 affect Chapter 8 which I assume where this belongs. It could fall under 708 also.. I don't see any burial depths but maybe someone else knows better.

 

[LarryFine]

I'd sure be tempted to run it in PVC conduit, regardless of depth.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I'd sure be tempted to run it in PVC conduit, regardless of depth.

Absolutely--

 

[kwired]

At least use some judgement on how well you want this to last. Anything less than 6 inches deep has high chance of being damaged or exposed from many common "backyard activities". In some loose soil types even deeper depths have somewhat higher risk.

 

[S'mise]

I'd sure be tempted to run it in PVC conduit, regardless of depth.

I would use conduit but I don't know if that's feasible.

The run is about 300ft, or the maximum length of 100m.

I know cable TV companies routinely only cover their cables a few inches or so. I'd consider a LAN cable to be a similar classification.

I may have to come up with a plan "B", like a wireless repeater.

How long should a good quality DB cable last under 6" of soil, ....10 years or so?

 

[infinity]

I would use conduit but I don't know if that's feasible.

The run is about 300ft, or the maximum length of 100m.

I know cable TV companies routinely only cover their cables a few inches or so. I'd consider a LAN cable to be a similar classification.

I may have to come up with a plan "B", like a wireless repeater.

How long should a good quality DB cable last under 6" of soil, ....10 years or so?

I think that unless it's damaged it would last more than 10 years. You could also bury 3/8" LFNC.

 

[LarryFine]

You could also bury 3/8" LFNC.

That would be a bear to fish and pull; I would prefer 1/2" rigid PVC.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

In my opinion this is an Article 725 installation, and the only part of 300.5 that applies is 300.5(B). There is no burial depth requirement for this cable.

 

[suemarkp]

300 feet is getting close to the max length of an ethernet segment. You may want to verify the complete end to end length. Could be pushed to fiber.

 

[Fred B]

I'm hooking up cameras for a security system.

I see the burial table where irrigation control and landscape lighting only requires a 6" of cover.

Surely I don't have to go 18" for low voltage cables in a residential application?

No code book nearby but, Should I be looking in art 800 for this depth?

Is this going to be POE as well as communication or just communication?
I would lean toward using conduit as well for the added protection particularly if this is being used for security system. You don't want the system to be disabled by a simple spade shovel. Another consideration is these systems are noted to request frequent update/upgrades and a conduit run would make that simpler as well even if you get a CAT6 rated for direct bury.
Also check Article 725 for additional requirements beyond that found in Article 800

 

[GoldDigger]

...
... even if you get a CAT6 rated for direct bury.
...

Looks like you certainly can: https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Waterproof-Ethernet-Direct-Shielded/dp/B002HFOL0G

 

[S'mise]

Thanks guys. Yes, It's a POE ethernet camera but it's not far from a power source, in case I need to add a power injector (field side) for voltage drop.

The run is about 300-325ft depending on what angle or obstacles I encounter.

I may add conduit but i don't want to spend too much on this. I'll definitely stub it out of the ground for protection. There are 16 other channels so if someone wants to defeat a camera, they'll likely be picked up on another.

I always appreciate getting advice from you folks.