Burying a cable

N

Norn Iron

I have to re direct a cable that was clipped to a fence that is now removed only other option is to bury it does this need to be inside a duct and at what depth?? It's a 6mm hi tuff for a hot tub. Looking forward to some helpful answers

Thanks
 
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It is always better to put it into some ducting mainly for making life easier if you ever have to replace it. You need to be at a depth of about 400mm deep.

Based on the question you are asking I take your not an electrician - this is a notifiable job meaning that you either have to get an electrician in to install it for you or pay your council around the £120 mark to come out and check it. A job like this may be cheaper to get an electrician in, if you want to cut costs then did the hole yourself and buy the ducting and even run a rope into the duct to make pulling the cable through that much easier. This could only cost a few quid - only an hours work if you prep it all first.

Also make sure you have RCD protection.

Post your area and Im sure someone will be happy to quote for you - or PM me
 
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I am an electrician just used to doing commercial and industrial fit outs it's just because some of the cable is just buried in the ground and covered over in soil by whoever installed this in the 1st place I just need to re-direct it
 
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The recommended burial depth is 600mm (especially in gardens where prone to digging) and YES, you will need to run that type of cable in a duct i'm afraid!!
 
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From my understanding its altering a circuit within a special location - outside.
Therefore its notifiable - burying the cable alters the CCC of the cable.
 
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yellowvanman said:
Where does it say 600mm?

You'll find its up to the installer to decide what depth is suitable.
Click to expand...

That's all right then, let's go for a 100mm!! ....Gesus!!

600mm has been the standard burial depth for as long as i've been in the industry!! 700mm for MV.

Check out the DNO's stipulated burial depths for gardens and areas that are prone to disturbance/digging/cultivating.
 
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Let's just agree to disagree!

We've been over this before. We don't know the risks associated with this run.

As for dno depths, builder dug up dno cable couple of weeks ago which was only at a depth of about 200mm
 
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yellowvanman said:
Where does it say 600mm?

You'll find its up to the installer to decide what depth is suitable.
Click to expand...


Any one burying cable under a garden less than 600mm depth needs their head seen to. One of the guidance notes lists recommended depths anmd from memory 600mm is for garden areas like borders.
 
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yellowvanman said:
Let's just agree to disagree!

We've been over this before. We don't know the risks associated with this run.

As for dno depths, builder dug up dno cable couple of weeks ago which was only at a depth of about 200mm
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Then you can claim compensation... lol!!!

Leaving the installer to decide what depth is suitable is just a nonsense, he's obviously going to go with the minimalist easy route. I wouldn't be too worried with 450mm if the cable was in a heavy duty thick walled PVC type duct, but for direct buried cable in a garden situation, ...600mm every time!!!
 
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If anyone calls their technical support whether its nic, Eca, elecsa or whoever, they'll only quote the relevant reg, and that gives discretion to the installer.
If anyone wants to bury it 600mm then l wouldn't criticize, equally if it was less, then whoever, has got to feel confident that the cable is safe.
 
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yellowvanman said:
As for dno depths, builder dug up dno cable couple of weeks ago which was only at a depth of about 200mm
Click to expand...

If you read through the DNO’s guidelines they give a recommended depth of 600mm for new cables. On the same page there is a notice pointing out that due to changing ground levels this depth isn’t necessarily correct for existing cables.
 
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yellowvanman said:
If anyone calls their technical support whether its nic, Eca, elecsa or whoever, they'll only quote the relevant reg, and that gives discretion to the installer.
Click to expand...

Well that's just your typical non committal type answer you would expect from these scam providers isn't it. All we seem to hear about on here, is the duff technical support these scam's dish out!!

To be honest, i'd always advise that buried/underground cables in domestic settings should always be installed in ducts. Because it is highly unlikely that any of the normal provisions for cable trenches will be adhered too, like stone free tench floors, soft sand bedding, soft sand cable encasement, cable protection tiles, warning tape, Stone free backfill. Normally it's just back fill with the excavated soil, maybe a bit of warning tape, and then again maybe not!!! Wonder how many conduct the necessary sheath tests on direct buried cables?? ..Not many i think!! lol!!!
 
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You work in an ideal world, in most cases for those working in domestics costs are key, so you have to weigh up the costs vs risks.
I don't compromise my values and sleep well with what I've done in the past.
 
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yellowvanman said:
You work in an ideal world, in most cases for those working in domestics costs are key, so you have to weigh up the costs vs risks.
I don't compromise my values and sleep well with what I've done in the past.
Click to expand...

So it's OK to go by or quote BS7671 when it suits you, but it's fine to forget everything when it doesn't, ...is that what your saying?? There is a set procedure and framework for cable trenches, it shouldn't matter whether the cable trench is in a domestic setting or within the Commercial/Industrial sector. The rules remain the same!!!
 
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i burried swa about 200mm below sand then paving brics are now going on top and yes just threw it in a bit of 25m conduit to stop stones piercing it , bit of yellow electrical tape..

i agree 600mm isnt alway possible although is the best way...
 
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Murdoch said:
So how deep do you bury cables then?
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As deep as you think that it meets the guidance within The Good Book!

If BS7671 specified exact details for the almost infinite scenarios that can occur for electrical installation work, the book would be probably bigger than the Encyclopedia Britannica.

I don't know the law by a long way(!!!!)...but that's why BGB isn't a Statutory Instrument (ie The Law), but one has to work to its guidelines. If you get my drift! :-)
 
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Archy Styrigg said:
As deep as you think that it meets the guidance within The Good Book!

If BS7671 specified exact details for the almost infinite scenarios that can occur for electrical installation work, the book would be probably bigger than the Encyclopedia Britannica.

I don't know the law by a long way(!!!!)...but that's why BGB isn't a Statutory Instrument (ie The Law), but one has to work to its guidelines. If you get my drift! :-)
Click to expand...

The good book also states that it isn't definitive and further guidance should be sought from other sources that can give further or definitive guidance...
 
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Elmer BeFuddled said:
I can't see that in my BGB. I think 500mm is mentioned in GN1. Although I was told years ago to bury cables to at least a "double dig" depth (which would be about 18"/500mm) with marker tape at 6".

Personally I think 500m is a bit excessive!! :)
Click to expand...

So you would prefer the home owner to hit the cable with the first strike of the garden shovel/fork then?? lol!!
 
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Ha ha!! No it only states in the regs about the depth for burying a cable in agricultural section which is 0.6m. Was just wanting somebody to clarify that it would be best to install it in a duct. It would be below paving slabs so wasnt sure it would be necessary to put a duct in
 
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Norn Iron said:
Ha ha!! No it only states in the regs about the depth for burying a cable in agricultural section which is 0.6m. Was just wanting somebody to clarify that it would be best to install it in a duct. It would be below paving slabs so wasnt sure it would be necessary to put a duct in
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Even in a duct I still wouldn't use HiTuf!
 
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Burying a cable
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