Underground Electrical Cable Vs Overhead Lines

Moreover laying or burying cost of underground lines are greater compare to overhead lines.

Underground electrical cable vs overhead lines.

20 to 40 for new underground works. The design and construction of underground transmission lines differ from overhead lines because of two significant technical challenges that need to be overcome. Overhead lines are nothing but a conductor laid on the top of earth by installing transmission tower. Overhead line is a source of electrical and magnetic field where underground cables have the magnetic fields screened so only electrical fields might be an issue in this case.

Voltage drop there is more voltage drop in the overheads due to the fact that their cables are of much smaller diameter than underground cables for the same power delivery. The electric field of the cable lines is fully limited by the metallic screen. Undergrounding is the replacement of overhead cables providing electrical power or telecommunications with underground cables it demonstrates the higher technology in developed countries for fire prevention and to make the power lines less susceptible to outages during high wind thunderstorms or heavy snow or ice storms. And 2 dissipating the heat produced during the operation of the electrical.

Aesthetics underground s number one advantage. To minimize a large charging current produced in high voltage cables the length of the cable should be minimized. With underground feeders you have to watch out when you are digging. Digging around underground feeders is a disaster waiting to happen.

Cost overhead s number one advantage. According to the may 2011 paper underground electric transmission lines published by the public service commission of wisconsin the estimated cost for constructing underground transmission lines ranges from 4 to 14 times more expensive than overhead lines of the same voltage and same distance. Longer life 30 to 50 years vs. Following are the disadvantages of underground transmission.

It is difficult to find and repair the wire breaks in case of failure of system. Cost of underground cables e g. Hvdc are three times higher compare to overhead lines e g. Significantly less cost especially initial cost.

Reliability shorter outage durations because of faster fault finding and faster. Overhead lines interfere with communication lines that are in close proximity have corona discharge radio and tv interference which does not happen with the underground lines. Safety factors of underground vs. In overhead line inductor plays major roles and in underground cable the capacitor plays major role.

Much less visual clutter.