Burying a data cable under a parking lot

Hi Geeks,

I'm doing a job and I need to get a Cat6 cable from one building to another. The two buildings (from one corner to another) are about 40' away from eachother. Ideally, we would like to run this cable underground. Do you guys know of any way way (without renting expensive machinery) that we could get the cable from the one building to the other? (If' necessary, we'll do an overhead run)

Thanks,
Zack

 

Assuming the parking lot is paved, there really isn't a cheap way to do it underground. You'd need to dig through the asphalt, bury it deep enough to meet code, run it through conduit (and make sure it's suitable for all weather conditions), then repave after you run it. You also need to make sure your conduit is strong enough to bear the weight of cars in addition to the dirt on top of it. Is there any way you can go around the parking lot, maybe in the grass? Of course, that increases the length of your cable by an awful lot, but that might be better. You'll still have to run it through conduit of some kind, but at least you wouldn't have to deal with asphalt. You could shovel a trench for it by hand if you were in grass, which while it's going to take a lot longer than using machinery has the benefit of being virtually free.

 

In case you aren't aware, you can't "just dig" (I think I remember reading something about you being in New York).

http://www.digsafelynewyork.com/excv/the_five_steps.asp

 

Definitely electrical grade (code approved) conduit! That way if the cable ever needs to be replaced it can be "fished" thru the conduit in the future. A trencher is really gonna be easiest by far, a backhoe is a little (alot) overkill for this.

 

First off before you do any digging whatsoever make sure that you call whomever you call to locate current underground utilities. If you dont have "Call before you dig" signs all over your part of the country just call a local utility and ask them who you'd call. There should be one service you call that locates all utilities or at least organizes other utilities for you. It wouldn't do you any good to dig anywhere if you hit the gas main.

Second if you see any contractors in your area for the local cable companies that do underground work you may just give them a call. Some may be very affordable. There is a pneumatic boring device that I've seen that can go under roadways, that can get costly. There's also an automatic trencher that could go around your parking lot through the grass and other soils. It's basically a blade that slices into the dirt and lays the flexible pvc conduit at the same time. The conduit has a pull string in it. Once installed attach your cable to the other end and pull it through (it's tougher than it sounds especially if there's a lot of bends). The could probably install one of those for about the cost of renting a machine. One word of advice, if you go that route don't just pull the one line you need into the conduit, pull another pull line with it in case you decide to add a line or if the current line needs replacing.

Thirdly if you go overhead you'll need guy wire to hold it up as CAT6 isn't load bearing cable and will want to follow regulations. 10 feet is the lowest a cable can hang in my state and that's not across any highways either, there it's 16 feet or more. If it crosses any public land there's further regulations to deal with, like renting the right of way space. There's also the added bonus that your cable is sitting in the wind the next time a hurricane blows through.

 

Why not point to point wireless? Higher price then just cat6, but not higher then renting a trencher or burying or even an overhead run. Something like this perhaps, or even a 5 ghz model.

 

Why not hire an immigrant worker to carry floppys from one building to the other:confused

Couple of minutes lag but about 60lbs per trip of bandwidth.

Obviously I cannot help in the least:-D

 

Contact a local electrician and ask how they bury conduit in New York. There will be specific codes including proper grounding.

The rental may not be THAT expensive.

http://www.495rental.com/images/trencher5.jpg

 

I honestly did a giggle snort while reading this. :-D I don't do that very often.

 

Depends, Zack. (I'll [resume that you've even got legal permission to do all this stuff, (Licensed Installer, as well, etc.)).
Usually, N.Y.C., they just follow the existing infrastructure, (plumbing, sewerage, electrical, etc.). But yeah, they need to be certified conduiting, too.

 

Just a passing thought "is the second building on the same electrical system as the main building"?
If so you can use a powerline using the electric cables,i use this to get internet to my garage and it works perfectly.

http://www.tp-link.us/products/?categoryid=206&ref=pline

 

Just theorizing, but I am assuming it is for security reasons that they want to stay wired.

 

<sarcasm alert>

Check with the local Mafia bosses. Since it's New York, they may give you a discount on the job if you look the other way while they bury a few unwanted bodies along with the cable. :-D

 

Point to point can be secured too.

 

Not as secure as a physical cable.

That's not even taking into consideration outside interference when using wireless.

 

Does anyone find that the website that Solaris posted to be the worst designed one ever? It only gives the number in a tiny little box in the lower right corner, and it's almost unreadable.

 

In addition to "Call Before You Dig", you will need to abide by code.

This means that the installation should be done in Schedule 80 PVC conduit, buried at no less than 18", and following suit to Articles 800//830/725 of the NEC, communications and power cables shall not occupy the same raceway (conduit). I don't recommend direct burial for Cat6, and by code you have to trench 24" for direct burial. For overhead you will need a guy wire, and cable which is manufactured for exposure to the elements.

You can rent a "ditch witch", which will streamline the process, or they do make trenching shovels which are thin in width. And if you have the option to run the cable without cracking the ashpalt my recommendation is to do so...

 

If you do think you'll have to crack the asphalt, it might be best to just have the work done for you.