What are Cable Pits?
Cable pits are robust underground enclosures that house and protect electrical cables, ensuring efficient and safe distribution of power, data, and telecommunications. They play a crucial role in supporting modern infrastructure, facilitating the seamless flow of essential services to homes, businesses, and industries.
Underground Cable Pit Installation
Wilken is a leading provider of electrical cable pit construction services. We offer a complete suite of solutions to meet your project requirements, from initial design to final installation and ongoing maintenance:
Common Uses and Applications of Underground Cable Pits
From powering homes and businesses to connecting us through data and communication networks, cable pits are often the unseen heroes of modern infrastructure, working behind the scenes to ensure a seamless flow of essential services.
Direction Change
Cable pits are frequently positioned where a cable route needs to change direction. This is because sharp bends in underground conduits can damage cables, leading to performance issues and potential failures
Drawing and Pulling
Cable pits act as “pulling boxes” for drawing (or hauling) cables into the enclosure. This process typically involves specialized pulling equipment to guide cables through conduits and into the pit. Pits are designed with conduits aligned on opposite walls at the same elevation to facilitate this process.
Jointing
Jointing pits, also called splice boxes, are specifically designed for enclosing spliced cable connections. These pits house waterproof cable joints, allowing for seamless cable continuity within the larger route. They are typically placed along straight sections of the cable route. Correct sizing is crucial to accommodate the connectors and cables passing through them.
Power Distribution
Cable pits are indispensable for housing high-voltage cables that distribute electricity to homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. They ensure safe and reliable power transmission, safeguarding against potential hazards.
Telecommunications
Cable pits play a critical role in supporting fiber optic cables and other telecommunication infrastructure. They enable seamless data transmission and connectivity for various communication services
Data Networks
Cable pits are vital for the installation and maintenance of data cables, facilitating high-speed internet and data network services. They ensure a stable and reliable connection for businesses and individuals.
Types of Electrical Cable Pits
Standard Cable Pits
These pre-engineered cable pits offer a cost-effective solution for common cable management needs. They are readily available in various sizes and configurations, making them suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial applications with standard cable requirements.
Custom Cable Pits
When complex projects necessitate unique cable configurations or large-scale installations, custom cable pits offer a tailored approach. These pits are designed and engineered to accommodate specific project requirements, ensuring optimal cable routing, accessibility, and protection.
Australian Standards for Electrical and Communications Cable Pits
Electrical
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical Installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules) governs electrical installations and defines cable types used in pits as Category A underground wiring systems. This Australian and New Zealand standard provides comprehensive guidelines for cable selection, installation, and safety.
Communications
AS/CA S008:2020 Requirements for Customer Cabling Products governs cabling products on the customer side of the boundary. AS/NZS 3084:2017 Telecommunications installations provides guidance on typical pit sizes for communication installations. These standards ensure compliance and proper installation for communication infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep are electrical cables buried in Australia?
In Australia, for residential electrical cables buried underground, the minimum depth is 600mm below the present or future footway surface, whichever is lower. This means the depth is measured from the final surface level of the footway, even if the current surface is higher.
Additionally, the alignment of these underground cables must be parallel to and a minimum of 400mm, but no more than 900mm, from the property line. This ensures the cables are placed at a safe distance from any future landscaping or construction along the property boundary.
Therefore, the actual depth of the cable burial can vary based on the existing footway level and any planned changes to the footway surface in the future. The cable must also be placed at a specific distance from the property line for safety and accessibility.
What is a Telstra pit?
A Telstra pit is an underground enclosure used by Telstra to house and manage telecommunication cables, equipment, and infrastructure. It is essentially a specialised type of cable pit designed to accommodate the specific needs of Telstra’s network. These pits usually house fiber optic cables, copper cables, and coaxial cables. These cables transmit data, voice, and video signals across the network. Telstra pits provide a secure and weatherproof environment for the cables and equipment, protecting them from damage and ensuring uninterrupted service.
