sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring how deep to bury cable?

I have a friend who wants to get a network connection between two houses on his property. He thinks it's too far for ethernet via copper. Is considering using fiber. How deep would it have to be buried if he ran some conduit for this? I think there are standard depths for various services? Right?

none for residential.

Actually none for any occupancy but that doesn't mean that you should do what the cable company does.

Even with conduit I get it down at least 18", 24" is even better. I backfill to about 6 inches of the top where I lay a yellow "Caution- buried cable" tape then I fill the rest of the way.

This way when they decide to plant a tree or install a sprinkler system you know they aren't going to get it. And believe me, PVC conduit is going to get hacked even by hand digging.

-Hal

24" is the standard in order to keep you below the frost line. Of course, the importance of this is largely regional since the ground does not freeze in all regions.

I'm in Boise and the ground freezes here and I have a coax that is only about 6" deep. I've never had any problems with it.

The frost line is not a consideration for underground conduits unless you are talking a water line. Here in southern NY the minimum depth to be below the frost line is 40" and I don't consider this really cold. It obviously goes deeper as the climate gets colder.

24 inches under driveways and parking lots otherwise 18 inches is the minimum burial depth the NEC requires if the conduit were carrying line voltage conductors. That's all about protection from damage.

Something that you may not realize is that if the PVC comes up out of the ground and runs for more than a few feet outside the building you will need to install an expansion fitting depending on the climate. This because the PVC has quite a large coefficient of expansion and can break because of the movement.

-Hal

When I was doing this stuff for Bell 18" for lawns 24" for tilled areas and 36" for right of way. But I've seen a lot of drops only about 6" deep. I'm with Hal get it down 18" or so, out of danger for most yards.

Another good idea is to get the fiber with a metal locate condutor or add a locate condutor in the PVC when you pull the fiber. This way it can be found at a later date if needed. Generally it will not be located unless you are there when the locate guys are there but it can save headaches in the futurs sometimes.

Why not go wireless, then you wouldn't have to bury anything or worry about someone cutting it in the future?

Since both houses are on the same property, if they are being serviced from the same hydro transformer you could use the power-line network link.

Here's a link to a discussion on it.

I'd say this is right on the money. When I was doing locating and burying drops for the TelCo. we shot for 18" on buried service wires.

Didn't happen all the time but that was the goal

Laying the tape as suggested is a great idea that could save you alot of grief. Good Post Hbiss