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How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?
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Author:  James Bond [ Apr 16, 2009 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

Hi, I want our electrician to connect power to our garden shed for light and GPOs. I'm thinking of digging the trench for the cables myself, and would be interested to know how deep it should be? Also what spec of cable to use, Could I just place a cable in the plumbers sewer trench?

Thanks for any advice.

JB

Author:  ChrisL [ Apr 16, 2009 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

When I got my shed connected about 8 years ago, electrician asked for 600mm deep trenches.
Chris

Author:  Hammerhead [ Apr 16, 2009 9:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

Yep, requirement is 600mm, inside orange conduit, with warning tape placed on top in trench. Our sparky put ours down 800, which he said is his preferred norm where possible.

Not sure on spec of cable, but fairly sure OK to put in same trench as sewer. Maybe someone else better qualified can confirm.

My OH dug our trench (about 20m) by hand in 40 degrees thru clay........he did a great job, but could have waited a few days when it was cooler. Had a bee in his bonnet, alright! :wink:

Author:  donuts [ Apr 16, 2009 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

We just had one laid at 600mm for our front fence / gate. I hope your soil is softer than ours James Bond, even the bobcat had a hard time digging ours out !! :::

Author:  James Bond [ Apr 17, 2009 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

I'm just thinking that when the plumber digs the sewer trench, which runs along side the shed, I could get the sparky to put his conduit in there.

Then I'll fill the trench in myself....... ::surprise::

JB

Author:  rosewood [ Apr 18, 2009 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

alot of times services are in combined trenches but they go in different depths. Layer of sand or soft like materials between each service.

Author:  James Bond [ Apr 18, 2009 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

Thanks!

Will remember that.

JB

Author:  Gester [ Apr 27, 2009 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

I was under the impression for Low Voltage and yes this is 240v you can have it 450mm?

Author:  TheGardenWhisperer [ Apr 27, 2009 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

600mm is the Australian standard.

Author:  chuth77 [ Apr 27, 2009 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

Fu Manchu Fu Manchu
600mm is the Australian standard.


500mm is actually the Australian Standard... 600 is given as a rule of thumb because it take out the variations in trench depth... And for the oldies, it's two foot deep!!!

Author:  Annelies [ Apr 27, 2009 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

Hubby and I used Christmas 2008 to dig 200 meters of trenches at a depth of 600 mm ourselves and used it for electricity, data, Ethernet (networking), Coax (TV) and the telephone cable and water supply.

Author:  TheGardenWhisperer [ Apr 28, 2009 1:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

Was that as the first stages of the new national highspeed broadband network? I heard in country areas, Telstra want you to install it yourself :)

Author:  Annelies [ Apr 28, 2009 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How deep to dig a trench for an outdoor electric cable ?

Definitely before, Fu Manchu, as we got the Property Pole placed last September, we did not know all the INS and OUTS about cables, just found a Cable checklist on the Internet and one of the ticks was TELSTRA. We gave them a ring, the contractor came out and told us that we should not ask him to make a connection to the shed. Telstra offers one free connection and the house was going to be 40 meter further than the shed. Connecting the shed would mean that we had to pay for the connection to the house ourselves.

Furthermore he told us that Telstra would not allow him to do trenching outside the property fench for more that 64 meters and our front is 68. The trench from Power Pole to the shed was already there and the only thing he had to do was trenching across the property to the connection. He gave it a try, calling Telstra but they said no.
We asked him to to roll out the cable to the house site and that we would do the rest, which we did.
The moment the house is build he'll come out again to connect.

cheers

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