Standard for cable trench while crossing river or roads
Standard for cable trench while crossing river or roads
(OP)
HI all,
I am laying 34.5kV cable underground and with proper barrier, I am keeping control cable and fibre optic cable in the same trech.
Now when I cross road or river, can I go with the same standard with that I have for normal trench or there is standard for trench when you cross road or river.
Is there any paper or standards relating to this ?
I'll appreciate all who can help me in this regards.
I am laying 34.5kV cable underground and with proper barrier, I am keeping control cable and fibre optic cable in the same trech.
Now when I cross road or river, can I go with the same standard with that I have for normal trench or there is standard for trench when you cross road or river.
Is there any paper or standards relating to this ?
I'll appreciate all who can help me in this regards.






RE: Standard for cable trench while crossing river or roads
Hi Sanjay,
The Canadian Code states that for direct buried cables in a trench , you will need a minimum of 1000mm of separation from the top of the conductor to the finished grade level for this voltage class.
Now, if you have some form of mechanical protection (i.e. wooden planks) in your trench, then you may reduce to a minimum of 850mm of separation. This same minimum separation applies for direct buried cables with or without armour.
Note that these requirements refers to cable trench crossing a road subjected to vehicular traffic.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
Sonic02
RE: Standard for cable trench while crossing river or roads
Rivers open up a whole other can of worms, with EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, Inland Waterways, Fisheries, Tribal authorities and whatnot all having a say so.
RE: Standard for cable trench while crossing river or roads
Thank you very much for the information. As well, I tried to refer the CSA but couldn't figure it out which is the rule no. could you let me know the rule no. that tells about this underground system.
Thank you very much
RE: Standard for cable trench while crossing river or roads
Refer to Table 53 as well as Rule 12-012 Underground Installations Subrule(2)in CEC 2009.
Hope that helps!
Regards,
Sonic02