Trenching
Trenching, digging a trench, is never to be attempted before first knowing what may be buried below the ground. There may be utilties like electrical, water, sewer, cable, or telephone lines. Hitting any of these can be quite costly and may kill you as it is always very dangerous to dig without calling for a utilty dig marking. When you call, each of the utility companies will send a representative to mark where their lines are located.
Remember, when you call for a locate, before digging, the utility companies have 48 hours to mark their lines before you are allowed to start digging. It's not only a good idea, in most instances, it's the law.
After the utilities are all marked and the 48 hours have passed, you are set to start trenching with whatever you deem necessary to dig your trench. It may be that you'll use a backhoe, trencher, or shovel. Remember, keep clear of the painted lines on the ground and the flagsused by the utility companies. If you have to cross any of these lines, carefully dig little by little with a non-conductive shovel and use rubbers boots to insulate you from anything energized. You must call immediately if you happen to hit any utility line that causes damage. Don't just cover it back up as if you didn't hit it.
If you are not experienced with trenching or you need to run long distances, you may want to hire an operator that can dig it for you. Although this will be done at a cost, the operator should have insurance to cover any damages that may occur to to digging.
You'll want to ask for proof of insurance if you decide to hire someone.
Trenches should be kept to the proper depth by checking with a tape measure as you dig. Try to keep the trench width as minimal as possible. This will minimize costs and damage to the landscape throughout your yard.
There is also the depth of the trench to consider for different types of installations. These depths are covered in my article entitled; “Underground Wiring Depth Requirements” that covers depths for UF cable, rigid nonmetallic conduit (PVC), intermediate metallic conduit, and rigid conduit. The National Electrical Code requires there to be a minimum distance from the uppermost surface, called grade, to the top of the wire or conduit in the trench. The idea is to have a safe distance below ground. By regulating the depth, The NEC is trying to make a consistant depth so that everyone will know the safe distance to dig before encountering the wire or conduit.
Remember, when you call for a locate, before digging, the utility companies have 48 hours to mark their lines before you are allowed to start digging. It's not only a good idea, in most instances, it's the law.
After the utilities are all marked and the 48 hours have passed, you are set to start trenching with whatever you deem necessary to dig your trench. It may be that you'll use a backhoe, trencher, or shovel. Remember, keep clear of the painted lines on the ground and the flagsused by the utility companies. If you have to cross any of these lines, carefully dig little by little with a non-conductive shovel and use rubbers boots to insulate you from anything energized. You must call immediately if you happen to hit any utility line that causes damage. Don't just cover it back up as if you didn't hit it.
If you are not experienced with trenching or you need to run long distances, you may want to hire an operator that can dig it for you. Although this will be done at a cost, the operator should have insurance to cover any damages that may occur to to digging.
You'll want to ask for proof of insurance if you decide to hire someone.
Trenches should be kept to the proper depth by checking with a tape measure as you dig. Try to keep the trench width as minimal as possible. This will minimize costs and damage to the landscape throughout your yard.
There is also the depth of the trench to consider for different types of installations. These depths are covered in my article entitled; “Underground Wiring Depth Requirements” that covers depths for UF cable, rigid nonmetallic conduit (PVC), intermediate metallic conduit, and rigid conduit. The National Electrical Code requires there to be a minimum distance from the uppermost surface, called grade, to the top of the wire or conduit in the trench. The idea is to have a safe distance below ground. By regulating the depth, The NEC is trying to make a consistant depth so that everyone will know the safe distance to dig before encountering the wire or conduit.
