approved method for burying a power cord?

tokenring · Post by **tokenring** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:28 pm

hi all,
I want to run 120vac power about 80 feet
going from one part of my playa art to another
I know people bury cables all the time

the most naïve solution would be a pickaxe
drag a shallow scrape maybe 4 inches deep
push a contractor-grade extension cord into it
is there a better way?

does anyone have a link with recommendations?
are there environmental considerations to observe?

thanks in advance,
Dave

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:38 pm

Page 7, 2005 Burning Man Survival Guide:

Digging Holes
Do not excavate holes in the playa. Small postholes
(6 inches or less in diameter & less than 2 feet deep)
used for structural support are the sole exception. When
digging such a hole it is best to use an auger or a posthole
digger, NOT a shovel. Bag the dirt you are removing so
that it does not blow away in the wind. Refill the hole by
carefully tamping the soil back into place. Repeat this
process every few inches while dampening the soil. An
inverted sledgehammer works well for this. Experience
has shown that larger holes easily erode within a year’s
time, even when carefully backfilled. They leave a visible
mark and create a serious safety hazard to drivers throughout
the rest of the year.

The 4 inch deep and at least 60 foot long trench you propose could cause some long term problems. I don't have an alternative solution but I'd avoid digging any trenches.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 3:28 pm

the most naïve solution would be a pickaxe
drag a shallow scrape maybe 4 inches deep
push a contractor-grade extension cord into it
is there a better way?

4" down shoudn't be a problem but I'm not the expert on this. I'd follow through with the Survival Guide post which I believe stresses more the need to to not dig holes - especially deep holes. The idea is a sound one that you collect your scrapings and then as you cover the cord you might want to add water to it so that it doesn't blow away. I've seen more than a few folks who've buried power cords away from an installation for sound/esthetic reasons. Can't remeber in my memory where this has been a problem ASSUMING that when you remove the cord that you tamp the displaced soil back down and again water the area toassure the cruft doesn't blow away.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:33 pm

don't know if there is a better way but that is the way I have done it for 3 years running. No problem, just a shitty, filthy process. To make it a bit more sane and make my trench straight I would stand on a long 2x4 and use it as a guide as I swung the pick.

swamicheese · Post by **swamicheese** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 5:08 pm

80 feet is pretty long, so doing it by hand is hard work. DPW, and various theme camps on the playa have trenchers that they use for a few hours at a time. If you can get them to do it, it will save you a bunch of time. They will be around center camp before the event starts, digging trenches for all of the power cables that go next to the circle roads around center camp.

I have done it by hand, and I only dig it about 2 inches deep by dragging the tip of a big rebar stake repeatedly over the path of the cable. Then I move all the dirt out by hand. Then I put the cord into the trench, cover with dirt, and wet the dirt well. It usually stays in the ground pretty well. This requires a flexible cord, that will lay flat in the trench. Leaving it in the hot sun might make it more flexible.

I have buried extention cords, and speaker wires this way in areas that have foot trafic, but have not tried it under a road that has heavy vehicle traffic.

Good luck on your art project!

Swami Steve

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:19 pm

80 feet is pretty long, so doing it by hand is hard work. DPW, and various theme camps on the playa have trenchers that they use for a few hours at a time. If you can get them to do it, it will save you a bunch of time.

Um, no. DPW ain't your bitches (see self-reliance).

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:30 pm

However they may well be up for bribes... if they're *good* bribes. Real good bribes.

Or not. You never know until you know. There are some times you can get miracles for a carton of marlboros and a 6er of good beer. Other times - forget it!

Best bet - make 3 or 4 contingency plans, and plan on having to use the 5th one.

BBS

Jordan 10-E · Post by **Jordan 10-E** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:10 am

Just as others have said drag a piece of rebar or a pole or something along the ground to create a groove that you can lay your cable in. That is what I am doing out at my installation, Order and Chaos. Also control that dirt.