SWA Depth?

[Sparky83]

Hello all,

Hopefully just a quick question really, i need to quote to install some cable to go around the outside edge of a large rounded driveway, it will be sunk into the ground but at what depth?

Ive looked online but see different depths quote, some 450mm some 600mm and some completely different.

Just want to make sure be any work starts.

Thanks,

Sparky83

 

[pblec]

mark GN1 is a guidence note against BS7671 and as we are all well aware in it if it quotes anything applicable to a BS7671 reg then its mentioned

as i've mentioned i now work purely domestic and part of my governing bodies regulations nothing is mentioned on GN1 or infact on any of them. the overiding document is BS7671. you may have to work to a higher standard industrialy but that was not the question.

 

[Silly Sausage]

54, he's now said he's buried it with tiles and tape, which at his depth is just about good enough. I'd still go deeper though. Plus he's provided drawings.

Anyway E, the standard of installations in your part of the world... you really haven't got a leg to stand on...

 

[Des 56]

Here is a non definitive but a useful guide

No specific requirements for depth of burial are given in the Regulations, except that the depth should be sufficient to prevent any disturbance of the ground reasonably likely to occur during normal use of the premises.
Hence, a cable to outbuildings installed under a concrete path could be at 400 mm, whilst if running through a cultivated space which could be subject to double digging would be less likely to disturbance if buried at 700 mm.
For caravan pitches, cables should be installed outside the area of the pitch, unless suitably protected, to avoid damage by tent pegs or ground anchors.
Cables must be identified by suitable tape or markers above the cable, so that anyone digging will become aware of the presence of the cable.

 

[Mark_Burgess]

If you take my advise and read it, you will see it expands on reg 522.8.10 and there are references to depths.

A short quote of one paragraph on page 77.
"A depth of burial of less than 0.5 m is usually inadvisable as shallow laid cables may be inadvertently damaged by general gardening,"

Now, interpret that however you like. I can assure you that if anything went wrong and you were up against a bulldog of a prosecutor, this GN1 will be presented.

 

[Engineer54]

Archy,

Have i not lol!!! the project i'm now working on, would probably put many an installation in the UK these days to shame!! Certainly no cable trenches at 30cm, and you can take that to the bank...lol!!!

One more thing, think about that 30cm trench, ...they'll be very little back fill between the top of the cable an the protective brick, how deep the warning tape is going to be is anyone's guess, ..maybe laid on top of the bricks themselves. Good on him for having the bricks in place, but that trench still isn't deep enough. Fine for under say concrete slabs, even under driveways at a pinch, but not for going accross a lawn or an open garden....

 

[Silly Sausage]

Do you need any trench diggers?
I'm a demon at digging a 1m trench, the weather's rubbish over here.
Send flight tickets to...

 

[SimpleSimon]

Archy,

Have i not lol!!! the project i'm now working on, would probably put many an installation in the UK these days to shame!! Certainly no cable trenches at 30cm, and you can take that to the bank...lol!!!

Where u working again 54?

 

[pblec]

sorry mark your wrong page 126 522.8.10 amendment 1 2011 has non what so ever mentions of depths

as i keep saying GN1 isn't relevant to me as a domestic installer if it was i'd have been told to buy it and failed all of my assessments for not having it.

i don't want to keep harping on about domestic but thats what the question is about, if you approved contractors need GN1 for commercial / industrial fine - we don't, if i ever stray across into industrial topics i don't mind being told to get back in my box. so mark unless you can provide proof for this according to BS7671 amend 1 2011 then get back in your box.

 

[Engineer54]

Where u working again 54?

You can't see where i am???

 

[Silly Sausage]

You can't see where i am???

Don't believe a word of that!!!

Where ever he's at, I hope he's got his sun hat on.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Err Hong Kong? I was too lazy to look.

 

[Engineer54]

Mainly China (Zhuhai) at the moment, the HK side of things not due to start until November, and a much smaller part of the overall project....

 

[SimpleSimon]

I knew it was abroad but didn't realise that far. Good for you mate! HK is an awesome place,try and visit the big buddha.

 

[Engineer54]

Lived and worked there before for 4 years on the MTRC (metro). ...Lot more to see than a big Buddha. ..lol!!!

 

[Silly Sausage]

I thought you're in Cyprus?
Tuskish or Greek side.. if that makes any difference