Running electrical power underground is the safest and most reliable way to bring electricity to detached garages, workshops, barns, pool houses, and outdoor living areas on your Aiken property. Underground wiring eliminates exposed overhead lines that are vulnerable to storms, falling branches, and accidental damage from equipment.
South Carolina's sandy clay soils and occasional flooding make proper underground wiring installation critical. The wrong cable type, insufficient burial depth, or missing conduit protection can lead to ground faults, shock hazards, and costly repairs. Unity Power & Light installs underground electrical wiring throughout Aiken and surrounding areas using code-compliant methods that protect your investment for decades. We handle everything from planning and trenching to final connections and inspections.
What We Do
We handle every type of underground electrical installation for residential and commercial properties in the Aiken area.
UF Cable Direct Burial
Underground Feeder (UF) cable is rated for direct burial without conduit. We install UF cable at the required 24-inch minimum depth for circuits without additional protection, following NEC burial depth requirements for your specific voltage and application.
Conduit Runs
For higher-voltage circuits, longer runs, and areas with heavy traffic or rocky soil, we install Schedule 40 or Schedule 80 PVC conduit. Conduit protects the wire and allows future upgrades by pulling new conductors through existing pathways.
Outbuilding Connections
Detached garages, workshops, barns, and guest houses all need dedicated electrical service. We run underground feeders from your main panel to a subpanel in the outbuilding, sized correctly for your current and future electrical needs.
Underground Feeder Circuits
Dedicated underground circuits for well pumps, landscape lighting, pool equipment, outdoor kitchens, and other yard installations. Each circuit is sized and protected for its specific load requirements.
Trench Depth Compliance
NEC requirements specify different burial depths depending on the wiring method: 24 inches for direct-burial UF cable, 18 inches for rigid conduit, and 12 inches for PVC conduit under certain conditions. We follow the correct depth for every installation.
Existing Line Repair
Damaged underground wiring from landscaping work, tree roots, rodents, or ground settling. We locate the fault, excavate the damaged section, and repair or replace the affected run with code-compliant materials.
Our Installation Process
Plan the Route and Call 811
We survey your property to determine the best path for the underground run, avoiding existing utilities, septic systems, and irrigation lines. Before any digging begins, we call 811 to have all existing underground utilities marked. This step is required by law and prevents dangerous contact with gas, water, or telecom lines.
Trench and Prepare
We excavate the trench to the required depth for your specific installation method. For direct-burial UF cable, that means a minimum of 24 inches. We add a bed of sand at the bottom of the trench to protect the cable from rocks and sharp objects, and we install conduit risers where the cable transitions from underground to above ground at each end.
Install Cable and Conduit
We lay the cable or pull wire through conduit, making proper connections at both ends. Underground splice boxes are installed where needed using waterproof junction methods. We place a buried warning tape above the cable line to alert anyone who digs in the area in the future.
Connect, Test, and Backfill
We make final connections at the panel and the destination, test the circuit for continuity and proper grounding, verify GFCI protection where required, and backfill the trench. We restore the landscape as close to its original condition as possible.
Why Professional Installation Matters
Underground wiring mistakes are expensive to fix because they are buried. Getting it right the first time saves you from digging everything up later.
Code-Required Burial Depths
The NEC specifies exact burial depths based on voltage, cable type, and whether conduit is used. A cable buried too shallow can be damaged by lawn equipment, landscaping, or frost heave. We follow every depth requirement precisely so your installation passes inspection and lasts for decades.
Proper Cable Selection
Not all wire is rated for underground use. Standard NM (Romex) cable will deteriorate when exposed to moisture and soil. We use only UF-rated cable for direct burial or THWN conductors in conduit -- materials specifically designed to withstand underground conditions without degrading.
GFCI Protection Requirements
Underground circuits serving outdoor equipment, outbuildings, and wet locations require ground-fault circuit interrupter protection. We install GFCI breakers or receptacles as required by the NEC to protect against shock hazards from ground faults in damp soil conditions.
Utility Coordination
Running underground wire near existing utility lines requires careful coordination. We work with local utilities and follow safe digging practices to prevent accidental damage to gas, water, sewer, and telecom lines on your property. Hitting an unmarked gas line is not a risk worth taking.
Underground Wiring Pricing
Unity Power & Light provides flat-rate pricing for underground wiring projects. You will know the exact cost before we begin work -- no hourly billing and no surprise charges.
Factors that affect the final price include trench length, soil conditions, cable gauge required, whether conduit is needed, and the amperage of the destination subpanel. We provide an exact quote after assessing your specific situation.
For a detailed breakdown of underground wiring considerations in our area, read our blog post: Underground Wiring Guide for Aiken, SC Homeowners
Why Choose Unity Power & Light
Need other electrical work done at the same time? We offer a full range of residential electrical services including panel upgrades, outdoor lighting, and more. Combining projects in a single visit saves you time and money.
Need Underground Wiring Installed?
Serving Aiken, SC and surrounding communities including North Augusta, Graniteville, New Ellenton, Jackson, and Clearwater. Get your flat-rate quote today.