ESB underground

harderthanf · 23-01-2021 10:53AM #1

Does anyone know did/does the ESB look after there own cival works or can this be passed to the builder of a development?
My house, before it was built, had an over head connection in the middle of the garden. When it was built, around 2000, the connection was moved under ground. I got a map from the ESB to show the rough path of the cable but I am wondering about the depth of the duct.

Does anyone know if the builder of the estate might have been allowed to dig the duct or are the ESB very strict with this type of thing?

My builder wasn't amazing and I'm as little worried he mightn't have stayed on spec. Worried now as I have to dig down a bit for a job in the garden.

Andrea B. · 23-01-2021 11:09AM

Without a photo during laying, can't imagine anyone giving you the answer to give you the confidence to safely assume it is at a specific depth.
Even a written cert with a signature, is only that.

meercat · 23-01-2021 12:08PM

Generally it’s the developer (builder) that installs the ducting.
It should run straight from the meter box to the outside path and then turn to the Esbn mini pillar

In one off houses it should run straight from meter box to the esb pole

Depth can often vary especially close to meter cabinet.

alan4cult · 23-01-2021 12:57PM

There is a minimum depth of 600mm-750mm so at least this. Is it that you are trying to locate the cable and not sure of route or you are just curious about depth?

You can get someone with a cable tracer if you are stuck.

harderthanf · 23-01-2021 01:44PM

alan4cult wrote: »

There is a minimum depth of 600mm-750mm so at least this. Is it that you are trying to locate the cable and not sure of route or you are just curious about depth?

You can get someone with a cable tracer if you are stuck.

I never thought of this. Are those tracers something you can rent?

I need to dig across my garden and I'd like to be certain I'm nowhere near the mains.

alan4cult · 23-01-2021 02:24PM

harderthanf wrote: »

I never thought of this. Are those tracers something you can rent?

I need to dig across my garden and I'd like to be certain I'm nowhere near the mains.

Yep you can rent them, Google Cable Avoidance Tool.

alan4cult · 23-01-2021 02:32PM

If the cable was laid properly you will hit yellow tape before the conduit (red).

mickdw · 23-01-2021 02:37PM

alan4cult wrote: »

If the cable was laid properly you will hit yellow tape before the conduit (red).

Yes but again not to be relied upon considering some of the works that were done in the past.

sparcocars · 23-01-2021 06:23PM

Contact your local esb networks office or the general enquiries number. They will come out and trace the cable for you.

harderthanf · 23-01-2021 11:18PM

sparcocars wrote: »

Contact your local esb networks office or the general enquiries number. They will come out and trace the cable for you.

I did. All they did was provided me with an OSI map with a rough idea of the route.

...Ghost... · 24-01-2021 02:07AM

harderthanf wrote: »

I did. All they did was provided me with an OSI map with a rough idea of the route.

Similar issue here with gas line. Have a useless map and just plan to be extra careful when digging.

crossmolinalad · 26-01-2021 11:45AM

alan4cult wrote: »

If the cable was laid properly you will hit yellow tape before the conduit (red).

Or red
We used red tape with the text electrical cable on it

Malcomex · 26-01-2021 04:11PM

Do the cable tracers work on screened service cables and swa?

frost11 · 25-05-2021 05:40PM

Hi any update on this? I'm in a similar situation. Was told the builder of the development would have laid the ducting to the mini sub station.

ESB underground

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