How to Bore Underground Electrical
Underground boring equipment is an environmentally sound, convenient and economical method of installing oil, water, sewer, gas and electrical conduits. For electrical lines, horizontal equipment bores holes a few feet deep, at up to a 90-degree angle. A directional bore machine houses all the necessary tools for burying electrical. These machines use thousands of pounds of thrust to drill and steer conduits like iron, steel or PVC pipes or to dig trenches for loose electrical wires. In addition, such equipment allows for minimal impact to sites with obstructions such as waterways, streets, railroads and buildings.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Drill-stem rods plus an additional 10 feet
- Bore machine
- Drill bits
- Winch line
- Stake
- Garden hose
- Joy stick
Instructions
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1
Measure the length of the trench where you want to bury the electrical. Add an extra 10 feet of drill-stem rods to the measurement.
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2
Dig the destination or entrance to the trench, if needed. Sometimes, this is already done for you by the utility or cable company. The opening to the trench needs to be 10 inches in length to ensure there is enough room for the drill of the bore to be inserted into the ground.
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3
Assemble the drill-stem rod sections, plus the additional 10 feet to the bore.
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4
Screw on the desire end-bit to the bore.
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5
Pull out an adequate length of winch line.
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6
Drive a stake into the ground two feet from the drill-stem rods on the bore. Attach the winch line to the stake.
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7
Attach your garden hose to the shut-off water valve on the machine. A normal 16-80 lbs of city water pressure works fine for most smaller machines.
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8
Attach a joy stick to the stem rod. Lower the joy stick into the ground and adjust the stem rod to the correct depth. The depth measurement depends on how deep you need the electrical to be in the ground. Use the joy stick to visually guide the stem rod into the desired depth of the trench. Aim the joy stick by pulling back on it slightly until it's level in the trench.
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9
Turn on the power to the bore machine and the water valve. Wait until a steady flow of water is produced. While holding on to the joy stick, slowly work the bore machine and bit into the trench.
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10
Bury the electrical conduits underground once the trench is completed. Top it off with dirt.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Make the entrance to the trench using a small bit. Double-check your alignment before starting to bore.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely for your bore machine. Don't begin to bore until you see water, and avoid trying to force the joy stick to drill quicker than the machine allows.
References
Resources
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