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Topic: Minimum Cover Requirements

User: dcheser, Location: New Jersey

Asked on: Monday, April 4, 2011 at 10:48 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:43 am EDT

Question: I am running a 13.8kV Feeder in Schedule 40 PVC below grade in a parking lot. I'm looking for the minimum depth requirements and all I can find in the NEC is table 300.5 which is for 0 to 600 volts. Does anyone have or know where to find this information?

NEC 300.5 does not apply to your scenario since it is for voltages below 600 volts. For determining the minimum burial depth requirements for your 13.8kV Feeder in Schedule 40 PVC below grade in a parking lot, you should refer to the following

National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) C2-4.1:

> "Underground electric supply and communication lines and equipment shall be buried not less than 24 inches deep and shall not be less than 6 inches below grade at any point within the roadway, parking lot, or other areas subject to vehicular traffic."NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

> "Electrical equipment rated over 600 volts, nominal, and less than 35,000 volts, nominal, that is installed in areas accessible to qualified persons only shall be installed in a manner that provides a minimum of 24 inches of cover, measured from the top of the enclosure to the finished grade."

Additional Considerations



Local codes and regulations

Check with your local authorities to determine if there are any additional depth requirements.


Grounding

Ensure that the PVC conduit is properly grounded to provide protection against electric shock and lightning strikes.*

Marking

Clearly mark the location of the underground cable for easy identification and to prevent accidental damage during excavation work.

Recommendation

Based on the above requirements, it is recommended to bury your 13.8kV Feeder in Schedule 40 PVC at a minimum depth of

24 inches
below grade in the parking lot. This will help protect the cable from damage and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. Flag for review

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