Underground Burial Cover-Depth Lookup (NEC Table 300.5)
Returns the minimum cover for underground wiring by method and location from NEC Table 300.5 (<= 1000 V): direct-burial cable 24 in, PVC 18 in, RMC/IMC 6 in in general earth, all methods 24 in under public streets/driveways, and 0 in (in raceway) under a building. Cover is measured to the top of the raceway/cable; the table footnotes modify specific cells and the AHJ governs.
Formula and source
min_cover (in) = Table 300.5 cell for (wiring method, location); cover is measured to the top of the raceway/cable. General earth: direct burial 24, RMC/IMC 6, PVC 18, residential GFCI branch 12, low-voltage 6.
Minimum cover requirements, 0 to 1000 volts, NEC 2023 Table 300.5, by name.
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