When you need new or upgraded electrical service, PG&E requires the trench and conduit to be installed to their exact specifications before they will energize the property. The trench must meet requirements for depth, conduit type, sand bedding, backfill, and clearances, and it has to pass a PG&E inspection. This guide explains what that involves in plain English.
Important
Exact PG&E requirements come from your specific job package and PG&E's current "Greenbook" (Electric and Gas Service Requirements), and they vary by voltage, location, and whether the trench is shared with gas or other utilities. Always follow your PG&E job package, or hire a certified contractor who does this daily. This page is general guidance, not utility specification.
What this guide covers
When Does PG&E Require a Trench?
PG&E typically requires customer-provided trenching and conduit for situations such as:
- New underground electrical service to a home or building
- A service upgrade that increases capacity
- Converting overhead service to underground
- Relocating an existing underground line
- New construction, ADUs, and remodels that add electrical load
In these cases, the property owner is usually responsible for excavating the trench and installing the conduit to spec. PG&E then pulls their conductors and connects service after inspection.
Trench Depth
PG&E sets minimum cover (the depth of soil over the conduit) for secondary electrical trenches, and the required depth can be greater when the trench is shared with gas or crosses a driveway or roadway. Because the exact figure depends on your job package and conditions, the safe approach is to confirm the required depth for your specific project rather than assume a single number. A certified contractor reads this directly from your PG&E documentation.
Conduit and Sand Bedding
PG&E specifies the conduit type and size for the run, and typically requires the conduit to sit on and be surrounded by clean sand bedding to protect it. Proper bedding prevents damage from rocks and settling. Getting the conduit size, sweeps, and bedding right the first time is essential, because a failed detail means reopening the trench.
Common reasons PG&E trenches fail inspection
Insufficient depth or cover, wrong conduit size or type, missing or inadequate sand bedding, improper sweeps and bend radius, no warning tape, and backfill that isn't compacted to code. A certified contractor prevents these before the inspector arrives.
Backfill and Inspection
Before backfilling, PG&E (and often the local jurisdiction) inspects the open trench to confirm depth, conduit, bedding, and clearances. Only after it passes can the trench be backfilled and compacted to code, and PG&E scheduled to pull conductors and energize. Trying to backfill before inspection is a frequent, costly mistake.
Can I Dig the Trench Myself?
Some homeowners can perform their own trenching, but the work still has to meet PG&E specifications and pass inspection, and utility locates must be called in before any digging to avoid striking existing lines. Many people hire a certified contractor precisely because a mistake can delay energization for weeks. For new service, upgrades, and ADUs, using a contractor who does PG&E trenching regularly is usually the fastest path to power.
Need it done right the first time?
Vertex General Contractor is a certified PG&E trench contractor serving the San Francisco Bay Area. We read your PG&E job package, trench and install conduit to spec, coordinate locates and inspection, and backfill and restore your site. Call (415) 727-6637 for a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep does a PG&E trench need to be?
PG&E sets a minimum cover for secondary electrical trenches, and the required depth can be greater when the trench is shared with gas or crosses a driveway or roadway. The exact figure depends on your specific job package and site conditions, so confirm the required depth for your project rather than assuming one number. A certified contractor reads this from your PG&E documentation.
Who is responsible for digging the PG&E trench?
For customer-provided trenching, the property owner is typically responsible for excavating the trench and installing the conduit to PG&E specifications. PG&E then inspects the work, pulls their conductors, and connects service. Many owners hire a certified contractor to handle this.
Does a PG&E trench need to be inspected before backfilling?
Yes. The open trench is normally inspected to confirm depth, conduit, bedding, and clearances before it can be backfilled. Backfilling before inspection is a common and costly mistake that can force you to reopen the trench.
What kind of conduit and bedding does PG&E require?
PG&E specifies the conduit type and size for the run and typically requires clean sand bedding around the conduit to protect it from rocks and settling. The exact spec comes from your PG&E job package, so it should be confirmed for each project.
Can I dig the PG&E trench myself, or do I need a certified contractor?
Some homeowners can do their own trenching, but the work must still meet PG&E specifications, call in utility locates before digging, and pass inspection. Because mistakes can delay energization for weeks, many people hire a certified PG&E trench contractor to get it right the first time.