Underground cable

[Mar3232]

Let me get something straight. Can you actually run indoor wire underground if it's covered by conduit? I was looking at the depth codes and it shows "direct burial" cables but also has conduit depths.

Like metal conduit it says 6" ? PVC is 18 "

Can you actually run steel conduit underground ?

Anyway -- the main question is whether you can use indoor cable in underground conduit. THANKS.

 

[Bluebinky]

Let me get something straight. Can you actually run indoor wire underground if it's covered by conduit? I was looking at the depth codes and it shows "direct burial" cables but also has conduit depths.

No, "indoor" wire cannot be run underground, even in conduit. Conduit fills up with water.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Mar3232]

That's what I thought. What do they mean when metal conduit only needs to be buried 6" deep? (or at least something I saw said that).

Regular steel conduit ? Something special ? I think it's galvanized but I would think the regular stuff would corrode bad over time.

 

[Stuff]

Code says rigid metal conduit or intermediate metal conduit, not EMT for the 6" depth. I guess it depends on the type of dirt and water table but they seem to hold up OK.

 

[hj]

The depth requirement is to prevent damage to the pipe if you are using something like a RotoTiller which WOULD chop PVC conduit so you have to bury it deeper than the RotoTiller can dig.

 

[Cacher_Chick]

There is a big difference between EMT and rigid conduit. Rigid is approved for burial when used with the appropriate fittings.
THWN rated wire is approved for use in conduit, indoors or out.