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What is the best wire to bury underground?

Copper wire can safely be bare in the ground or can have a protective jacket or insulation. A cable is a group of two or more conductors sheathed together. An underground cable consists of one or more conductors that have high conductivity, such as copper which can withstand high voltage, or aluminum.

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By Alana Thomas

Construction of underground tunnels, chambers, passageways, and trenches can be dangerous. Knowing the types of wire and cable that are safe for underground construction can help protect the safety of electrical contractors.

Factors to consider when choosing a wire or cable for underground construction:

What are you using it in?

What is your gauge size?

Stranded or Solid?

Voltage Rating

Insulation/Jacket

Color

Wire or Cable?

Both Wires and Cables can be used in underground construction. An underground wire can be made from either copper or aluminum. Copper wire can safely be bare in the ground or can have a protective jacket or insulation. A cable is a group of two or more conductors sheathed together. An underground cable consists of one or more conductors that have high conductivity, such as copper which can withstand high voltage, or aluminum. This will make up the core of the cable. Surrounding the core is a layer of insulation that helps to avoid leakage and ensures a high- degree of safety. Lastly, there is a sheath or jacket which acts as a protective layer for the cable and seals out the elements. However, if the insulation is thick and protective enough, a jacket is not always necessary.

Direct Burial

When working on underground projects direct burial wire and cable is used. Direct burial wires and cables are designed specifically for underground use in building trenches. This is because they can withstand harsh weather conditions in both wet and dry environments. The wire’s insulation protects from the elements and any moisture in the soil, making it safe to be buried directly into the ground without a conduit. A conduit acts as a mechanical barrier between the wire and the soil. The most referred to types of direct burial wire are USE, which stands for (Underground Service Entrance), and Tracer Wire, both of which commonly carry a voltage rating of 600V or less.

Stranded or Solid?

Whether it be a USE cable or Tracer wire, there are different decisions an electrical contractor can make when choosing the right wire for their project. First, the most important one is whether to use stranded or solid copper/aluminum as the conductor. Solid is made up of a single conductor. Though it provides excellent strength, it has less flexibility. Stranded wire, on the other hand, is made up of a bundle of multiple wires and bends easier than solid, making it a good choice when installations demand flexibility.

Top three Kris-Tech products for underground construction

1. RHH/RHW-2/USE-2, sometimes called XLP-USE, is made up of a copper conductor and insulation of cross-linked polyethylene. There is no outer protective jacket for this cable because the insulation is thick enough to protect the wires within. The cable is specifically for underground service entrance. 2. PVC Ground Wire is usually bare copper or insulated as green, (the green denotes ground). Polyvinyl chloride is the most typical weather-resistant insulation is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 3. Tracer Wire is commonly known as locator wire, and is used to locate buried non-conductive pipe or tubing, such as natural gas or water lines. Tracer wire is essential to underground utility work as it helps contractors easily find underground assets. Selecting the right wire or cable depends on the project. However, as safety is the number one concern for an electrical contractor, knowing about the common wires and cable that are used for underground construction and meeting the criteria of the NEC, (National Electric Code), will help to make any construction project safer.

Learn more about top industry resources for wire and cable purchasing agents.

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What is black PVC pipe called?

ABS Pipes Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) piping is a type of plastic piping that's similar to PVC and distinguishable by its black color. Known for its long lifespan, ABS is used only for drain and waste piping.

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1. PVC Pipes

PVC is a plumbing pipe known for its versatility, lightweight, and blockage resistance. PVC piping is generally used as part of a sink, toilet, or shower drain line, though it’s sometimes used as a home’s main water supply pipe.

Pros and Cons of PVC Pipes

✔ Affordable—The lightweight properties of PVC not only decrease the labor necessary for installation, but they also decrease the cost of transporting the material. ✔ Resistant to high water pressure—PVC doesn’t easily bend, but the pipe does have some flexible properties that allow it to withstand the constant influx of high water pressure. ✔ Resistant to blockages—The smooth inner lining of PVC speeds up the draining process, protecting it against sediment buildup and blockages. ✘ Toxicity concerns—Despite meeting the standards for drinkable water by the American National Standards Institute, the administrator and coordinator of the U.S. private sector voluntary standardization system, there are concerns over the potential for PVC pipes to leach chemicals into drinking water, exposing people to high levels of polyvinyl chloride, potentially causing respiratory and reproductive issues. ✘ Limited size options—PVC piping has limited sizing options that can render the piping ineffective within tight spaces.

What is the best wire to bury underground?

Which is the best roofing sheets?

Whats the softest wood for carving?

Are shed plans easy to follow?

By Alana Thomas

Factors to consider when choosing a wire or cable for underground construction:

What are you using it in?

What is your gauge size?

Stranded or Solid?

Voltage Rating

Insulation/Jacket

Color

Wire or Cable?

Direct Burial

Stranded or Solid?

Top three Kris-Tech products for underground construction

Learn more about top industry resources for wire and cable purchasing agents.

Can you live in a mobile home on your own land UK?

Does spraying water on concrete help it cure?

What is black PVC pipe called?

1. PVC Pipes

Pros and Cons of PVC Pipes

Read More: How to Identify PVC Pipes and Fittings

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