If you plan to run power to a detached garage, a gazebo, or another outdoor location, you’ll often have to bury electrical wire to comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC). How deep to bury electrical wire will likely be a major consideration since it would determine the type of cable you’ll use and whether or not you’d need a conduit.
How Deep To Bury Electrical Wire in Hillcrest, CA
Burying wire underground involves digging trenches. These can be deep (18 or 24 inches) or shallow (6 or 12 inches). Clearly, digging a deeper trench requires more effort, but it also provides better protection for the wiring.
How deep you dig will likely depend on the type of soil around your home. Granular, easy-to-shift soil makes it easier to dig deeper trenches. With rocky or heavy soil, or multiple obstacles like tree roots in the way, a shallower trench may be more practical.
Parts of Hillcrest and other neighborhoods in San Diego have heavy clay soil that may make deep digging costly and time-consuming. Our top electricians in Hillcrest, CA, can help you decide on the right trench depth for your property.
Different Depth Options for Underground Wiring
When installing underground wire, you’ll likely choose between four main trench depth options: six, 12, 18, or 24 inches. Understanding the pros and cons of each will help you decide how deep to bury electrical wire.
Six Inches
A six-inch trench can be a viable choice for short wiring distances and plots with problematic rocky or clay-heavy soil. Shallow trenches minimize digging and landscape damage. They also speed up installation and may cut labor costs.
However, you’ll need to provide solid protection for buried wiring. Use galvanized rigid metal conduit and individually insulated wires suitable for wet conditions. Cost is the main downside of this option: rigid metal conduit and insulated copper wire are pricey.
Furthermore, even with metal conduit, shallow trenches leave buried wire more vulnerable to physical damage from soil shifts, landscaping, extreme weather, and erosion.
12 Inches
A foot-deep trench is often the optimal choice for backyard underground wiring. It’s still fairly fast and easy to dig but provides better protection for buried wiring than a six-inch trench.
This trench depth enables you to use direct burial cable and removes the need for costly metal conduit. Nevertheless, the cable will still need conduit at the point of transitioning from above- to below ground.
Type UF-B cable should work fine for the installation as long as the branch circuit is up to 120 volts and has proper GFCI protection. However, this trench depth may not be suitable for higher-voltage installations.
18 Inches
An 18-inch trench is compatible with a branch circuit of any size. It’s a flexible wire burial option that allows you to add wires or switches in the future. It also offers much more robust protection from soil shifts, careless landscaping, and other factors that could damage buried wire.
As with a six-inch trench, you’ll have to use individual insulated wires. You’ll also need PVC conduit, which is much cheaper than the rigid metal option.
24 Inches
With a deep 24-inch trench, you can use direct-burial Type UF-B cable and Schedule 80 PVC conduit at transitional areas. This trench depth offers the highest security if you’re concerned about soil erosion, future landscaping, or extreme weather events. However, digging two feet deep is labor-intensive and can be tricky in rocky or compact soil.
If you’re not sure how deep to bury electrical wire and are on the fence about trench depth, consult a professional who will assess your plot conditions and suggest the right trenching equipment.
Do You Need an Electrical Permit To Run Underground Wire in Hillcrest, CA?
Yes. In San Diego, you’ll need an electrical permit for any work with electrical wiring or equipment. Running underground wiring will probably require a Plan Electrical Permit.
Make sure you choose a reputable electrical contractor who follows local regulations and always complies with OSHA electrical safety guidelines. Ask about your electrician’s insurance and verify that they hold a valid California license.
Point Loma Electric and Plumbing: Safe & Reliable Electrical Services in Hillcrest and San Diego, CA
Are you unsure how deep to bury electrical wire on your property? Call our experienced electricians. Our pro team can guide you through any electrical issue, from resetting a tripped circuit breaker to full home rewiring. Contact us to request a quote on your electrical project in Hillcrest, CA.
