UF or USE Direct Burial Depths

[Slugga480]

I have a question related to table 300-5. The section that says"One and two family dwelling driveways and outdoor parking area, and used only for dwelling related purposes". Is the last part of that section "and used only for dwelling related purposes" directly related to the 1st part of that section or is it saying any electrical work in general on residential applications such as trenching in the back yard of a house. Lets say I was running UF or USE cable in a trench in a yard behind a house. Would the depth be 18" or 24" deep for a 220v circuit. This section is not real clear to me.

 

[iMuse97]

I have a question related to table 300-5. The section that says"One and two family dwelling driveways and outdoor parking area, and used only for dwelling related purposes". Is the last part of that section "and used only for dwelling related purposes" directly related to the 1st part of that section or is it saying any electrical work in general on residential applications such as trenching in the back yard of a house. Lets say I was running UF or USE cable in a trench in a yard behind a house. Would the depth be 18" or 24" deep for a 220v circuit. This section is not real clear to me.

In the table, the words "and used only for dwelling-related purposes", refers only to the driveways and outdoor parking areas.

Your 240V line must be 24" deep in the backyard, or anywhere on the property which is not under pavement of a drive, or sidewalk.

 

[Slugga480]

UF or USE Direct Burial Depths

Got it....Thanks for the reply to that question. :thumbsup:

 

[jumper]

In the table, the words "and used only for dwelling-related purposes", refers only to the driveways and outdoor parking areas.

Your 240V line must be 24" deep in the backyard, or anywhere on the property which is not under pavement of a drive, or sidewalk.

One problem: where does it say the driveway must be paved?

One- and two-family dwelling
driveways and outdoor
parking areas, and used only
for dwelling-related purposes

 

[Dennis Alwon]

One problem: where does it say the driveway must be paved?

One- and two-family dwelling
driveways and outdoor
parking areas, and used only
for dwelling-related purposes

My bet is he meant under pavement or a drive- driveway. ?

 

[jumper]

My bet is he meant under pavement or a drive- driveway. ?

Dennis, my problem is: Why can a direct burial cable be only 18" down under a unpaved resi driveway?

Am I missing something? Is it assumed that the driveway is paved?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Dennis, my problem is: Why can a direct burial cable be only 18" down under a unpaved resi driveway?

Am I missing something? Is it assumed that the driveway is paved?

He said 24". I did not read 18" except in the op.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Dennis, my problem is: Why can a direct burial cable be only 18" down under a unpaved resi driveway?

Am I missing something? Is it assumed that the driveway is paved?

It can be 12" if it is 120V in a residential driveway but this is 240V so it must be 24", IMO

 

[jumper]

It can be 12" if it is 120V in a residential driveway but this is 240V so it must be 24", IMO

Dennis, I agree. My point was it does not say paved, asphalt or concrete. Shoudn't it?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Dennis, I agree. My point was it does not say paved, asphalt or concrete. Shoudn't it?

No, I don't see why it should. The weight is the same. Personally I would never install db cable under a driveway without sleeving it in pvc or something.

IMO, 12" burial for UF under a driveway in a residence seems awfully shallow. You know tractor trailers, garbage trucks, UPS vans, moving vans, etc will be driving over it periodically.