Burial depth simulation

In Burial Depth, you pick a wiring method, drag the trench down to depth on a ruler, lay the cable or pipe, and backfill. One run can cross a lawn, a patio, and a driveway, each with its own minimum cover from Table 300.7(A). It builds the skill of reading the cover table and digging no deeper than the job needs.

Play Burial DepthFree, no sign-up. Works on a phone, tablet, or computer.

Minimum cover by method and location
The GFCI and low-voltage columns that let you dig less
Sleeves, bushings, ribbon, and backfill

The Burial Depth simulation on a laptop screen, at the start of the first job.

How it works

Each job shows a side view of the yard, with depth on a ruler. Pick a wiring method, then drag each part of the trench down to depth. Lay the cable or pipe, drag on sleeves, bushings, or warning ribbon where they're needed, and pick clean fill or the spoil pile. On a phone, drag a yellow grip down with your finger or use the + and − buttons to set the depth, and tap a part, then tap where it goes.

Call the inspector to check the cover in every zone and the parts. You earn up to three stars: one for passing, one for passing on the first call, and one for moving the least dirt. The simulation runs in a browser on a phone, tablet, or computer, with no sign-up.

The jobs

1Shed circuit. Bury PVC across a lawn at the minimum cover, and learn to read cover on the ruler.
2Studio outlet. Run UF cable, cut the depth in half with a GFCI breaker, and sleeve the cable where it comes up.
3Pergola lights. Cross a patio slab, and see why a 12 V landscape kit needs only 6 in.
4Workshop feeder. Feed a workshop under a home driveway, pick pipe over bare cable, and keep rocks out of the backfill.
5Parking lot light. Cross a parking lot and run under a new storeroom, and learn the GFCI column is for homes only.
6Garage service. Bury a service from the pole to a meter on the garage, keep UF off it, and lay a warning ribbon where the run is 18 in. or deeper.

NEC 2026 sections it checks

Table 300.7(A): Sets the minimum cover over buried wiring by wiring method and location.
300.7(C): Wiring under a building has to be in a raceway.
300.7(D)(1): Buried cable that comes up out of the ground needs a guard from its required depth to 8 ft up.
300.7(D)(3): Service wiring buried 18 in. or deeper gets a warning ribbon at least 12 in. above it.
300.7(F): Keep rocks, paving, cinders, and sharp or corrosive material out of the backfill around the wiring.
300.7(H): A pipe end underground where bare cable leaves it needs a bushing.
230.30(B): Lists the wiring methods allowed for underground service conductors.
340.12(1): UF cable can't be used as service cable.

Section numbers only. Read the full text in your code book.

2023 to 2026: our list has 1 change in 300.5. See the changes

Questions apprentices ask

How deep do you bury PVC conduit?

18 in. of cover under a lawn or other general location, from Table 300.7(A). Under a home driveway it's also 18 in., and under streets, commercial driveways, and parking lots it's 24 in.

How deep do you bury UF cable?

24 in. of cover in most places, from Table 300.7(A). For a home 120 V circuit of 20 A or less with GFCI protection, the cable needs only 12 in. Where the cable comes up out of the ground, it needs a guard such as a sleeve up to 8 ft (300.7(D)(1)).

How deep does low-voltage landscape wire go?

Landscape lighting and irrigation control circuits of 30 V or less, such as a 12 V lighting kit, need 6 in. of cover in general locations, from the last column of Table 300.7(A). Follow the kit maker's instructions too.

Do you need warning tape over buried wiring?

For service conductors buried 18 in. or deeper that aren't in concrete, yes: a warning ribbon goes in the trench at least 12 in. above them (300.7(D)(3)). The Garage Service job shows where the ribbon is needed and where it isn't.

How this simulation was checked

Every rule the inspector applies was checked against the 2026 NEC text in a code review, and the game was play-tested for ease of use. It is a study aid. It doesn’t replace the code book, your instructor, or your local inspector.

See something wrong? Tell us and we will check it against the code.

I’m building these with instructors. What would you change? Tell Matt what is wrong or missing.

Teaching a class?

Build a cited slide deck and quiz on any part of the 2026 NEC, in your own order, and assign this simulation as practice. Free for instructors during the pilot.

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