How must underground service conductors be protected from damage?

Underground service conductors must be protected from damage primarily by adhering to minimum cover requirements as established by the National Electrical Code (NEC). These requirements dictate how deeply buried conductors should be placed to minimize the risk of physical damage from surface activities, such as digging or landscaping. The depth of burial is crucial; it ensures that the conductors are safely insulated from potential hazards.

Minimum cover requirements are designed to accommodate the type of location where the conductors are buried, considering factors like the potential for human activity above ground and the type of installation. For example, in areas that might experience frequent digging, a greater depth may be required.

Using additional insulation, reinforced casings, or installing conductors above ground are not standard practices for ensuring the protection of underground service conductors. While additional insulation may provide some level of protection, it does not negate the need for proper depth. Reinforced casings can provide protection, but they are not a substitute for cover depth requirements. Likewise, keeping underground conductors above ground contradicts their classification as underground service, therefore not aligning with safety standards set by the NEC.

Maintaining the specified cover depth is thus the most critical measure to protect underground conductors effectively.