ReferenceNEC 2023 Table 300.5 · Updated Apr 2026

Electrical Burial Depth Requirements

Minimum burial depths: 24" for direct burial cable, 18" for PVC conduit, 6" for RMC. Depths increase under driveways and decrease under building slabs.

NEC Table 300.5 - Minimum Cover

Wiring method	Under buildings	Under driveways	Other locations	Under 4" concrete
Direct burial cable (UF-B)	0"*	24"	24"	18"
RMC or IMC	0"*	6"	6"	6"
PVC conduit (Schedule 40/80)	0"*	24"	18"	12"
EMT	Not permitted	24"	18"	6"
Rigid PVC with GFCI (≤20A, 120V)	0"*	24"	12"	6"

*Under buildings: permitted at 0" only in conduit extending through and beyond the building. All depths measured from the top of the conduit or cable to the finished grade.

Common scenarios

Running power to a detached garage: Most common method is UF-B direct burial at 24" depth or THWN in PVC conduit at 18" depth. PVC is recommended for protection and future upgradability. See detached garage wiring guide.

Pool equipment: Underground wiring to pool equipment must be UF cable or THWN in PVC conduit. Article 680.10 specifies additional requirements beyond Table 300.5. See pool pump wiring guide.

Landscape lighting: Low-voltage landscape lighting (12V) is not subject to NEC burial depth requirements but should still be buried 6-12" to prevent damage from gardening.

Installation tips

Trench width: Allow at least 6" of clearance on each side of the conduit. Use sand or fine soil as backfill directly around the conduit to prevent rocks from damaging it.

Warning tape: Install underground warning tape (red for power) 12" above the conduit so future excavation encounters the tape before the wiring.

Spare conduit: Install a spare empty conduit in the same trench for future expansion. The marginal cost is minimal compared to re-trenching.

Requirements vary by state. NEC edition, licensing, permits, and GFCI rules differ by jurisdiction. Check your state or pick it below for personalized info across WireRef.

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NEC 2023 references verified April 2026