How deep do I bury a 8/2 wg wire going to shop?

[OKIE]

I am requesting info on how deep to bury the 8/2 wg wire going to my shop.
It is a 115' run and I have the direct bury wire.
I have the shop wired with a sub panel with two 15a bkrs feeding gfi outlets and lights.

[JP]

  At least 18 inches.

[OKIE]

Thank you.
I wired the shop today and want to get this project going.
I know what I'll be doing tomorrow.

[JP]

 Have Fun  I'm sure it will keep you busy most of the day.

[OKIE]

Can I bury the wire less than 18" down if inside pvc pipe?

[JP]

18" is the depth for PVC also. If you use ridgid pipe you can do it 6". I'm not sure if the direct burial cable you have is rated to be run in pipe or PVC. For example: it is not ok to run romex on pipe.

[OKIE]

Thanks, I have a septic tank drain field to deal with.
Looks like I might have to go around it.

[JP]

Yes I could see how that would be a problem. Since the code requires 18" I cannot tell you to bury it less. It all has to do with possible damage to the cable in the future. Even though 18" will not guarantee that no damage will happen in the future it is what the code requires. Someone digging and hitting a buried cable or pipe I'm sure happens everyday.

Just last week I had a service call at a swimming pool in an apartment complex. They had a grassy area that they decided to remove and install paver stones, who ever the installing contractor was installed PVC pipe at only 6" and than proceeded to bury junction boxes. neither of which meets code. Needless to say when they brought in the Bobcat to level the area most of the electrical was destroyed, and cost them a lot to have it fixed. It all could have been avoided if the installation would have been done to code in the first place.

[OKIE]

Thank you very much.

I know this isn't your field, but do you have any idea how deep a drain field is burried?

I'm trying to figure out if I can go over it, or need to go around it.
I like to do things right the first time, to avoid problems just like you explained above.

Tried to add a photo, but can't.

[JP]

I really do not have any idea how deep they bury a drain field.

[OKIE]

Here's a pic of what I'm dealing with.
Black lines are a wood fence behind the house, and the shed in back.
Blue line is where I want to run the wire.

Would you just go around it all?

[JP]

For sure the safe thing to do would be to go around it, the extra digging is a lot better than the problems that could be created in your drain field. Thinking about it there is also a chemical reaction that occurs in a drain field, I'm not sure if it could effect the cable or not.

[OKIE]

Thanks.

Here is where I'm now thinking of running the wire (green line), it is at the top of a hill.
The other side of the yard is much lower in elevation.
What do you think?

[JP]

I think that really looks like your best option. Are you going to use a trencher or did it all by hand?

[OKIE]

Oh, I plan on using a trencher.
The ground here is hard with some clay and rocks.
Plus it's over 115' with the new route.