Underground Conduit Installation

[CuriousElectron]

Hi Guys,

Is trenching the most common method of installing a conduit underground? I'd think using a backhoe to excavate the trench for a concrete encased duct bank or multiple conduits installed underground is the industry standard. Directional boring method would probably be used for putting a single pipe in the ground, communications utilities use this method a lot in residential districts.

Thanks,
FF

 

[thermionic1]

I have seen many utilities utilize a vacuum truck for work within existing substations. The powerful vacuum, along with pressurized water is used to remove rock and soil down below the frost line. I believe it is considered to be a safer alternative to pick axes, backhoes, etc in an energized station as there is no real contact, thus no damage to existing infrastructure. I've seen the results of backhoes / ditchwitches hitting energized cable and that is not pretty.

 

[waross]

The high pressure water jet with a vacuum truck is very common for any soil removal work in petro-chemical plants in this area.
A single cable or plastic tubing may be ploughed in in rural areas.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[SlideRuleEra]

I'd think using a backhoe to excavate the trench for a concrete encased duct bank... is the industry standard.

Yes. The top of the concrete is typically made red (with dye or sometimes red tape markers) so that future excavations that hit the concrete will immediately know this is an electrical duct bank, not some other structure.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[cuky2000]

The direct buried HV power cable is a common method in the IEC market place.

In the US there are a significant number of HV underground pipe-type cable although the trend is been reduced in the last decade

I hope this help.