Trenching Utilities (seeking advice)

[ac2520]

You have given me more to think about Thanks!. I do have the vacation time and can start doing it myself inside behind the gate to see how it goes. I like the use the trencher idea to do the water and start the electric, then rent a bigger trencher to finish the electric. Thanks for the advice. I will post later on progress

 

[GPintheMitten]

4 foot deep for electric sounds excessive. I've never buried primary wire so that might be the reason
I would double check the spec on that.

Also if you end up doing it yourself, be sure you check the spec on conduit size.

Also get advice from an expert on water tube size. I used 1.5 inch for 1800 foot run for 7 hydrants.

 

[ac2520]

The 4 ft requirement is due to this being a primary high voltage line. The transformer will be in my property. I will be meeting with the electric company field engineer to discuss the conduit requirements and any other requirements. I'll also have to talk with the water company for the water line specs. Thanks

 

[GPintheMitten]

Has anyone put down a 3 ft trench and came back with a 4 ft trencher to go deeper?

Having trenched 1800 feet 4 ft deep this last summer, it is extremely difficult to reposition trenching equipment over a trench. There will be a large pile of spoils to one side.

You may need to use the rental for the whole electric trench.

 

[jvolock]

Could you do the trenching yourself by renting a ride on trencher than can reach down 4ft. I live in Colorado and extended a water line for our new indoor riding arena and was able to do the work in less than a day. Sounds like the lot is vacant and no one else coming on to the property. Might save you a whole lot of money to do the trenching yourself and then have the contactor just put the utilities in each trench.

 

[jel1988]

Yes they do have direct burial primary cable, just has thick insulation on it no metal sheathing.

 

[pnhd65]

I don't understand why the electric 'has' to be underground. Especially if it's high voltage. 700 feet seems quite excessive to run that far underground to me. Most 'underground service' would come in with the high voltage above ground, have the transformer on the last pole, with a service drop and short underground line to the house, a reasonable distance. That's what I would do if it were my service. Above ground run in also provides easier access for other utilities such as phone and cable.

 

[ac2520]

Yes the requirement for underground utilities is part of the neighborhood requirements and there is no option for an exception. I did talk with the field tech and he provided me the requirements online
http://kenergycorp.com/documents/Kenergy UG Tariff - Primary-Model.pdf
http://kenergycorp.com/documents/EP-61.pdf
It turns out that the depth is 40 inches at the top of the conduit.

Thanks to all for the feedback. I will be looking more into trenching this myself. Will still get a couple other estimates just to see where they come in at.

 

[jrepp44]

I believe you can do it yourself. I trenched 1,200' for a waterline in good soil conditions in less than two hours. Good Luck.

 

[Billrog]

Any good contractor should dig the trenches for you for less than the hassle of a trencher. Good going on flat land doesn't take long $1 ft. should cover it or you can hire an excavator with a 5' bucket and place them both in the same ditch.

This was 600' very steep 4' deep sand included plus I had to move the pile in the bottom right hand corner bill was $600 I charge $100 per hr.