How deep to bury gravy pvc conduit for ground mount?

rollandelliott
rollandelliott Solar Expert Posts: 834 ✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
I'm sure it's in the NEC somewhere, but can't find it.
how deep do I need to bury wire underground in gray pvc pipe for ground mount arrays? I think its 18"?

ALSO CAN I use stranded 10awg thhn wire? or does it need to be solid?

lastly since it is underground do I need any sort of special water rated cable?
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  • bmet
    bmet Solar Expert Posts: 630 ✭✭
    #2
    Re: How deep to bury gravy pvc conduit for ground mount?
    rollandelliott wrote: »
    I'm sure it's in the NEC somewhere, but can't find it.
    how deep do I need to bury wire underground in gray pvc pipe for ground mount arrays? I think its 18"?

    ALSO CAN I use stranded 10awg thhn wire? or does it need to be solid?

    lastly since it is underground do I need any sort of special water rated cable?


    I don't know

    I don't know

    I don't know

    But I do remember that every line I ever dug a tranch for has a couple inches of sand under the pipe for drainage and filler against sharp rocks being leached through the soil.
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  • solarix
    solarix Solar Expert Posts: 713 ✭✭
    #3
    Re: How deep to bury gravy pvc conduit for ground mount?

    code is 18" cover (Article 300.5), or whatever your local AHJ approves (if lots of rock for example)
    regular THHN (dry or damp) stranded is fine if in conduit.
    type THHR (dry or wet) is even better but most wire these days is rated for both of these.
    type UF is needed for direct burial. (good luck not messing it up next time you dig)
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  • tecman
    tecman Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭
    #4
    Re: How deep to bury gravy pvc conduit for ground mount?

    THHN is not rated for damp locations, including buried conduit. You need THWN for damp locations. Dual rated THHN/THWN wire is common today and the same price as THHN.

    paul
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