I'm looking to run electrical wiring to my garage, and I need some guidance on how deep I should dig the trench for the wire tubing to ensure safety. What's the recommended depth?
2 Answers
Typically, you should be looking at a trench depth of 18 to 24 inches, depending on where you live. It’s best to check your local codes because some areas might allow less depth if you're using metal conduit. Just to be safe, stick with that range!
It really depends on the type of cable! For buried cables under the National Electrical Code (NEC), it's around 24 inches, while plastic conduit needs to be 18 inches deep, or even 12 inches if you’re using GFCI protection. If it’s a metal conduit, you can go as shallow as 6 inches. Just keep in mind local codes can vary, so double-check!
That's right, but if you place a solid barrier like a 2x6 above the cables, you might be able to get away with a depth of 12 to 18 inches. It might differ based on where you are—here in Canada, we have specific requirements too!