---
title: "What Is Direct burial cable? Electrical Glossary"
description: "Direct burial cable is wire rated to go in the ground without conduit, such as Type UF-B cable. Plain-English glossary from Daniel Electric in Southlake, TX."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/direct-burial-cable
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Wiring and circuits

# Direct burial cable

Direct burial cable is wire rated to go in the ground without conduit, such as Type UF-B cable.

Southwire says its Type UF-B cable is rated for direct burial. It is generally used as an underground feeder to outside post lamps, pumps and other loads fed from a distribution point in an existing building.

Depth and protection depend on code, and digging near other buried utilities is risky, so call 811 first. Many installers choose [PVC conduit](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/pvc-conduit) instead, because wire can be replaced later. Size follows [wire gauge](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/wire-gauge). A licensed electrician should plan and permit the run. See [lighting installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/lighting-installation).

[Daniel Electric can helpLighting installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/lighting-installation)

## Related terms

-   [PVC conduit](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/pvc-conduit)
-   [Wire gauge](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/wire-gauge)
-   [Conduit](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/conduit)
-   [NM-B cable](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/nm-b-cable)

## Sources

1.  [Southwire: Building Wire and Cable](https://assets.southwire.com/adaptivemedia/rendition?id=689cc1caa2600137129cb72b8b5ea8ba2ca3bdcd&prid=origin&clid=SAPDAM)

TECL #21005 · Family owned since 1988

## Need an electrician in Southlake?

Call and tell us what is going on. A photo of the panel label or the problem helps us come prepared. Quotes on new installations are free.

[Call (817) 481-8606](tel:+1-817-481-8606)[Get a quote](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact)

![A Daniel Electric bucket lift raised to a parking lot light pole](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/_astro/bucket-at-light-pole.BSVZ9eST_1Dp6XR.webp)