[hmuhoyt2]

I am trying to answer a question from a property in Morristown NJ who is having problems with buried line voltage electrical lines running between two of their buildings. It appeared to be installed in conduit (installation was done in 2011). However, when the maintenance staff tried to pull the line to replace faulty wiring, they found out it's direct burial. They are trying to find out if the original contractor who installed it was following the code. Is direct burial of line voltage wiring acceptable in NJ (more specifically, in Morristown, NJ).

 

[Magnettica]

Sure , why not?

The cable (UF) must be rated for direct burial.

 

[hmuhoyt2]

Ok. What is the minimum depth for direct burial?

 

[rrolleston]

24" is normal depth or 12" if protected by GFCI.

 

[drumnut08]

I am trying to answer a question from a property in Morristown NJ who is having problems with buried line voltage electrical lines running between two of their buildings. It appeared to be installed in conduit (installation was done in 2011). However, when the maintenance staff tried to pull the line to replace faulty wiring, they found out it's direct burial. They are trying to find out if the original contractor who installed it was following the code. Is direct burial of line voltage wiring acceptable in NJ (more specifically, in Morristown, NJ).

when you say " buried lines running between their buildings " , does that mean one building is feeding another , or is it small branch circuit stuff ? If the cable is rated for it , it's perfectly legal if it's done correctly . It could very well be a utility thing ( pseg ) . They love burying cable at shallow depths , lol !

 

[Awg-Dawg]

Look at 300.5 and see what applies to you situation.

 

[hmuhoyt2]

when you say " buried lines running between their buildings " , does that mean one building is feeding another , or is it small branch circuit stuff ? If the cable is rated for it , it's perfectly legal if it's done correctly . It could very well be a utility thing ( pseg ) . They love burying cable at shallow depths , lol !

Guys, thank you for all you help.

These wires were installed by a sub-contractor on a solar panel installation. They connect two inverters from a single solar system which are connected to a 220 volt three-phase service from JCP&L. These wires are required because the solar system is installed on two roofs.

I would love to blame the utility, but in this case, it's not their fault

 

[rrolleston]

Pictures always help we love pictures.

 

[hmuhoyt2]

Pictures always help we love pictures.

Ok. I'll email the maintenance staff asking them for pics. They have gone home for the day so it's going to have to wait until next week. Thanks again!

 

[mcclary's electrical]

There's a very good chance the unprotected wires from panels to the inverter are required to be in conduit. Please post pics

 

[drumnut08]

Guys, thank you for all you help. These wires were installed by a sub-contractor on a solar panel installation. They connect two inverters from a single solar system which are connected to a 220 volt three-phase service from JCP&L. These wires are required because the solar system is installed on two roofs. I would love to blame the utility, but in this case, it's not their fault

hmmm ? So it sounds like the heavy gauge DC return path to the inverter are direct buried ? In most cases this can be well over 480 VDC depending on how many panels are in series . It's not something I would do , but if they used the right cable , still most likely legal . It had to have been inspected , right ?

 

[CADPoint]

... I would love to blame the utility, but in this case, it's not their fault

If they'd check, I bet the landscaper got them at one end, maybe even both. Any bed planting at either end needs to be checked.

There are instruments for water pipe and electrical locator devices.

 

[Celtic]

Is direct burial of line voltage wiring acceptable in NJ (more specifically, in Morristown, NJ).

Why do you think it might not be legal?
What type cable is it?

 

[bobelectric]

Why waste time hunting for original installers that probably vaporized after they got paid?

 

[ElectricJoeNJ]

There's a very good chance the unprotected wires from panels to the inverter are required to be in conduit. Please post pics

There's a good chance that its the AC side wiring that is buried. If there's 2 buildings each with its own inverter then they have to be combined at a common point before being connected to the service. It's not really practical to run the DC conductors far distances.