Quick Service Trench Question

[Jawgarage]

Im ready to dig the trench the 45' to bring the service to my detached garage. I've had the area marked out by the utility companies so I know where to dig and not to dig.

I'm digging 20 to 24 inches deep and laying 1 1/4 inch conduit for the cable.

My question is if any other lines (cable, telephone, irrigation, underground 12/2, etc) can cross or pass over this trench above where the conduit is going? Most of the run will be clear but as I approach the house I know I will encounter other under "stuff" that I will have to dig under. Will this be a code inspection issue ?

Jeff in NJ

 

[dw1]

Im ready to dig the trench the 45' to bring the service to my detached garage. I've had the area marked out by the utility companies so I know where to dig and not to dig.

I'm digging 20 to 24 inches deep and laying 1 1/4 inch conduit for the cable.

My question is if any other lines (cable, telephone, irrigation, underground 12/2, etc) can cross or pass over this trench above where the conduit is going? Most of the run will be clear but as I approach the house I know I will encounter other under "stuff" that I will have to dig under. Will this be a code inspection issue ?

Jeff in NJ

Nope, hopefully it is marked well, where you can hand dig that part. Tunnel under it and slide your pvc conduit under those wires.

 

[Norcal]

Only thing I would worry about is crossing leach lines if not on a public sewer system.

 

[Jawgarage]

Nope, hopefully it is marked well, where you can hand dig that part. Tunnel under it and slide your pvc conduit under those wires.

It will be marked by the utilities directly so my concern is more about prior homeowner added underground stuff. Where I am it is very much sandy soil so I am actually hand digging the whole thing myself. I really was concerned about being allowed to tunnel and run the conduit underneath anything else I find. Your answer is most helpful and a relief!

 

[Jawgarage]

Only thing I would worry about is crossing leach lines if not on a public sewer system.

Yeah, that would "stink".

Fortunately I do know where they run and it is no where's near this dig. I just have a sense I am going to find at least one old time coax antenna wire that runs to a 110' arial tower next to the garage as one example and irrigation pvc lines as another.

 

[Norcal]

Yeah, that would "stink".

Fortunately I do know where they run and it is no where's near this dig. I just have a sense I am going to find at least one old time coax antenna wire that runs to a 110' arial tower next to the garage as one example and irrigation pvc lines as another.

I would be most worried about damage to the leach field if was crossing it but since it's not a problem, that is even better. Have plenty of glue & primer plus pipe & fittings for a quick repair of sprinkler lines.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I would be most worried about damage to the leach field if was crossing it but since it's not a problem, that is even better. Have plenty of glue & primer plus pipe & fittings for a quick repair of sprinkler lines.

If you have a sprinkler system fire it up and mark the heads with flags,you'd be suprised how many get be rid when dirt starts getting thrown around!

 

[dw1]

I would be most worried about damage to the leach field if was crossing it but since it's not a problem, that is even better. Have plenty of glue & primer plus pipe & fittings for a quick repair of sprinkler lines.

When I put the electrical service in my barn, I was trenching right along (new property to me and I did have the "Locator" out to mark utilities but there was nothing in the area) and found my water service twice and one place was only about 14"-16" deep (1" black poly water line) I did add close to a foot of dirt on my trench later in the summer. It happens!! Repair parts on hand is nice.

 

[Jawgarage]

If you have a sprinkler system fire it up and mark the heads with flags,you'd be suprised how many get be rid when dirt starts getting thrown around!

Great idea.....wish I did that before the sky track lift started moving the trusses imto place and dug trenches 18" deep on one side of the driveway with its articulated wheels. Once I saw some irrigation lines showing and sprinkler heads laying detached I knew I had another project for the spring

 

[Jawgarage]

When I put the electrical service in my barn, I was trenching right along (new property to me and I did have the "Locator" out to mark utilities but there was nothing in the area) and found my water service twice and one place was only about 14"-16" deep (1" black poly water line) I did add close to a foot of dirt on my trench later in the summer. It happens!! Repair parts on hand is nice.

I have well water and that feed line does run somewhere in the same outside corner of the house. Another reason for my hand digging. I really hope the inspector does not object to this conduit having a bunch of company near the house!

 

[The Cobbler]

the only condition I had was the gas line had to be min 2' vertical separation from the hydro line . (Gas regulation, not hydro)

 

[walta]

If you expose any other wires bring them up to code or remove them before the inspector arrives.

Most of the inspectors just want to make sure everything is done in a safe way.

Inspectors are people and some want to go out of their way to fail every DIY job possible so as to make work for fellow tradesman.

If your install is code compliant they will approve it if not it is there job to point out the mistakes.

Walta

 

[Jawgarage]

If you expose any other wires bring them up to code or remove them before the inspector arrives.

Most of the inspectors just want to make sure everything is done in a safe way.

Inspectors are people and some want to go out of their way to fail every DIY job possible so as to make work for fellow tradesman.

If your install is code compliant they will approve it if not it is there job to point out the mistakes.

Walta

I actually fully agree. My concern is really not the inspector, its what the inspection may reveal that was not done correct before by prior owners. I found this with orior work here already and we brought those items into compliance. So my questions are really about hoping to not be surprised when the inspection is done but rather to know what Im dealing with as I dig and maybe uncover something. This has been very helpful.

BTW, here is a current picture of the "Before and After"

 

[Jawgarage]

One more question.....per code how deep do coax antennae cables in flex pvc conduit have to be underground and how deep for underground rated 12/2 copper not in conduit?

Jeff

 

[ishiboo]

One more question.....per code how deep do coax antennae cables in flex pvc conduit have to be underground and how deep for underground rated 12/2 copper not in conduit?

Jeff

I don't believe most areas adopt low-voltage code, so the antenna doesn't really matter.

12/2 would be a 20A or less circuit, so you could put it as high as 12" below ground with GFCI protection. Without GFCI you would need 24" I believe.

 

[Jawgarage]

I don't believe most areas adopt low-voltage code, so the antenna doesn't really matter.

12/2 would be a 20A or less circuit, so you could put it as high as 12" below ground with GFCI protection. Without GFCI you would need 24" I believe.

Perfect. Thank you