The Family Handyman – August 2019

22 JULY/AUGUST 2019 FAMILYHANDYMAN.COM

UNIVERSAL

BENCH HOOK

A bench hook is an indispensable
tool for hand sawing at the work-
bench. Cut the hook to the width

HOME SMARTSI MAINTENANCE & REPAIR

Burying Electrical Cable

6"

Galvanized metal conduit

Underground feeder cable

Underground feeder cable

PVC conduit

12"

18"

24"

A reader asked us to shed some light on the depth requirements for

burying electrical cable. Al Hildenbrand, one of our electrical experts,

explained the rules this way:

Q OPTION 1: If you don’t want to dig deep trenches, you can bury indi-

vidual conductors inside RMC (rigid metal conduit) at a depth of 6 in.

Q OPTION 2: You can direct-bury UF-B (underground feeder) at a

depth of 12 in. In this case, PVC conduit must run to the full 12-in.

depth. Also, the circuit must be limited to 15 or 20 amps and 120 volts,

AND the wiring must have GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) pro-

tection before the branch circuit enters the ground.

Q OPTION 3: When either the current is greater than 20 amps or the

voltage is greater than 120 volts, or both, the PVC must run to a depth

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Q OPTION 4: To direct-bury any circuit that isn’t protected by a GFCI,

the trench must be 24 in. deep. A circuit greater than 20 amps, greater

than 120 volts, or both, without conduit, requires a depth of 24 in.

of the platform and cut the fence

slightly shorter than the platform.

Next, glue the fence and hook to

opposite ends and sides of the

platform as shown. This allows the

bench hook to grab the front edge

of your workbench. Hook it on the

front edge of your bench for use

with a saw that cuts on the push

stroke, or on the back of the bench

for a saw that cuts on the pull

stroke.

No. 4 No. 3 No. 2

No.1

FOR A PUSH SAW FOR A PULL SAW

Platform

Fence

Hook

Fence

Hook