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Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Question:

Hello Charlie,

Thanks for keeping us on the Code road to compliance. If I'm installing low voltage landscape lighting cable underground, what is the minimum depth required by the NEC? My neighbor told me it doesn't matter because it's low voltage. What is your opinion?

Mike Lamb

A

Answer:

Hello Mike Lamb, and thanks for participating. While there may not be a local requirement for permits and inspections of low voltage landscape lighting systems in your location, the NEC still has rules that apply. Section 300.5 and Table 300.5 (column 5) indicate the cable's minimum depth should be 6 inches. There is also a note (a) at the bottom of the Table that says manufacture's installation instructions of listed low voltage lighting systems shall be permitted at lesser depths in accordance with those instructions. It appears your neighbor is not the best source for information about the NEC. Enjoy your day.

ABOUT CQD: The Code Question of the Day (CQD) is NECA and ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine’s flagship National Electrical Code (NEC®) public forum for the industry, sponsored by EATON. The daily distribution of Q&A generates a lively dialogue and shares relative Code-based practical responses.

SUBMIT YOUR CODE QUESTION: Click here to submit a question to for inclusion in an upcoming edition of the Code Question of the Day, or email codequestion@necanet.org. 

CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition, all answers are based on the latest edition of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®.

This correspondence is not a formal interpretation of the NEC® and any responses expressed to the questions are opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of NECA, NFPA, the NEC Correlating Committee any Code-making panel or other electrical technical committee. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services. 

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