SOOW cable for direct bury in earth

[rey-man]

Just double checking if anyone knows if type SOOW cable can be directly buried in earth.

Thanks.

 

[zbang]

Not a full answer, but...
People do bury the stuff but I don't see anything off-hand the either permits or prohibits it (other than the cable's ratings) and I don't think I've ever run into direct-burial rated SOOW.

That said, I've put it in shallow trenches, back-filled with clean dirt and where there was no vehicle traffic, and the AHJ didn't complain. That was for 2-3 week installations, not for long-term/permanent. With the better availability of cable ramp in the rental market, that's a much better solution than trenching.

If you need permanent, there are cheaper DB-rated cables types than SOOW.

 

[ptonsparky]

Just double checking if anyone knows if type SOOW cable can be directly buried in earth.

Thanks.

IIRC, some Tray Cable is rated DB. I avoid DB cable if possible, gophers.

 

[jumper]

If there is a SOOW cord listed for direct burial, I ain't seen it.

A quick search of Southwire and Allied shows neither is rated/listed for direct burial.

 

[gadfly56]

IIRC, some Tray Cable is rated DB. I avoid DB cable if possible, gophers.

I haven't seen any TC that isn't direct burial rated, but I haven't necessarily seen it all. It is a little pricey though, certainly more than UF.

 

[ptonsparky]

I haven't seen any TC that isn't direct burial rated, but I haven't necessarily seen it all. It is a little pricey though, certainly more than UF.

I haven't seen it all either, that is why I hedged my bet with 'some'.

IDK how UF stacks up against TC price wise.

OP, why SOOW? Is that what you have a spool of?

 

[MasterTheNEC]

Just double checking if anyone knows if type SOOW cable can be directly buried in earth.

Thanks.

Greetings,

No, SOOW is not evaluated or marked per the UL Wire and Cable Guide for use in a Direct Burial application nor in UL 62 that provides for that application. However, even if it was the case the cord assembly would have the notations for that use and with either "Direct Burial", " DIR BUR" or "DIR BURIAL" on the jacket material.