Underground must be in a listed assembly. 338 covers USE identified for underground use, and 340 covers UF which is suitable for direct burial. Straight THWN is not listed for direct burial.
Tom, are you sure about that? I use quite a bit of XHHW-2 and I don't remember ever seeing any of it with a USE rating on it. I know RHW-2 is USE rated.
i been using XHHW-2 for pretty long time and it work better for underground counducts run compare to straght THHN/THWN series wires due the THHN outer insluation will come apart and break down and get to inside inslulation and can say bye bye wire (sound of zap) in short time i cant say how long and XHHW-2 is more rugged to take it better for that sisuation
According to the UL White book, type XHHW, etc., has not been evaluated for direct burial unless the single conductors have also been marked "type USE or type USE-2."
UL White book, 2001, pg. 120. Look under "thermoset insulated (ZKST)," the paragraph with the heading "Submersible Water Pump Cable."
opps sorry i misread it what you try to say but i will retract that part i thought i say it was in the pvc conduct not drict burial sorry my mistake please do appect my apogly