Q4: Can fiber optic cable be buried in the same trench as electrical power lines? A: Yes, because fiber optic cable is non-conductive (dielectric), it is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI). TECHNICAL GUIDELINE July 30, 2020 TG030 Rev. 4 Pathway Separation Between Telecommunication Cables and Power Cables Communications cables are, by design or necessity, often installed in close proximity and/or in the same pathway as power service cables. There are no technical concerns. If this is an industrial facility where all maintenance is the responsibility of one entity, I wouldn't have too many concerns, but I would think about ways of. We are laying MV cables (15 KV) (armored cu /xlpe) in an open trench. Adjacent (parallel) to it, we are laying fiber optic cables (non-metallic direct buried type). However, simply hitting this depth isn't enough to guarantee your network survives.