Underground vs.

overhead
transmission lines
N:Ahmed Usama Saleh
G:E501

Overhead cable

Anoverhead cableis a cable for the

transmission of information, laid on
utility poles. Overhead telephone and cable
TV lines are common in North America.
Elsewhere, overhead cables are laid mainly
for telephone connections of remote buildings
and temporary mechanisms.
as for example building sites. The same poles
sometimes carryoverhead power linesfor the
supply of electric power. Power supply
companies may also use them for an inhousecommunication network.
Sometimes these cables are integrated in the
ground or power conductor. Otherwise an
additional line is strung on the masts.

Undergrounding

Undergroundingis the replacement of

overhead cablesprovidingelectrical poweror
telecommunications, with underground
cables. This is typically performed for
aestheticpurposes, but also serves the
additional significant purpose of making the
power lines less susceptible to outages during
high wind thunderstorms or heavy snow or ice
storms. Undergrounding can increase the
initial costs of electric power transmission and
distribution but may decrease operational
costs over the lifetime of the cables.

The advantages of using

overhead line transmission

Advantages:
The main advantage is that they are easier to repair if
damaged (Usually just go up a ladder and do the
necessary work)
They are not restricted by the landscape that they are in
e.g. you can easily suspend them over a motorway or river
Also they have a less chance of electrocuting people as
they are so high up
Lose less energy then if they were underground as they do
not have any good conductors near them to transfer
energy away as easily
Cheaper to set up and maintain than if they were
underground

The disadvantages of using

overhead line transmission

Disadvantages:
Main problem is that they
visually pollute the areas
they are set up in
Suffer from problems like
vandalism, assisting
terrorism (Easy access),
and lightning strikes
Birds and low flying
aircrafts can sometimes
fly into them

Advantages of Underground
Cables
The main advantages of underground cables are:
Reduced visual impact.
Reduction or elimination of electrical and
magnetic fields above ground, and hence elimination
of potential health concerns.
Reduced transmission losses.
Reduced planning delays.
Increased security of supply, with elimination of
disruption due to extreme weather.
Road side developments can be made without
Section 37 application.

Disadvantages of Underground
Cables

Cost of Underground Cables: The cost of HVDC

underground cables has been quoted by SHETL as being
approximately three times that of a 400kV overhead line.
Underground cables carrying 400kV AC are more
expensive, but the very high costs quoted by SHETL have
been challenged by an independent report by Jacobs Babtie
(2005). This report dealt specifically with the conditions
found on the Beauly to Denny line, with cost ratios quoted
in the range 6 to 12 times that of an overhead line. Unit
costs increase with a reduction in length of line placed
underground, and also with the use of fluid filled cable. The
Jacobs Babtie report does not give detailed costing for
underground cables in reinforced concrete troughs, but the
additional cost associated with this technology will be
offset by the use of the cheaper XLPE cables.

Disadvantages of Underground
Cables

Undergrounding is more expensive, since the cost of burying cables at transmission

voltages is several times greater than overhead power lines, and the life-cycle cost of
an underground power cable is two to four times the cost of an overhead power line.
Above ground lines cost around $10 per foot and underground lines cost in the range of
$20 to $40 per foot.[4]In highly urbanized areas the cost of underground transmission
can be 10-14 times as expensive as overhead.
Whereas finding and repairing overhead wire breaks can be accomplished in hours,
underground repairs can take days or weeks, [6]and for this reason redundant lines are
run.
Underground cable locations are not always obvious, which can lead to unwary diggers
damaging cables or being electrocuted.
Operations are more difficult since the highreactive powerof underground cables
produces large charging currents and so makes voltage control more difficult. [citation needed]
Whereas overhead lines can easily be uprated by modifying line clearances and power
poles to carry more power, underground cables cannot be uprated and must be
supplemented or replaced to increase capacity. Transmission and distribution
companies generally future-proof underground lines by installing the highest-rated
cables while being still cost-effective.
Underground cables are more subject to damage by ground movement. The
2011 Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand caused damage to 360 kilometres
(220mi) of high voltage underground cables and subsequently cut power to large parts
of Christchurch city, whereas only a few kilometres of overhead lines were damaged,
largely due to pole foundations being compromised byliquefaction.

Conclusion of Underground
Cables

Underground cables offer an affordable and

justifiable solution for critical parts, and in
some cases the entire length, of overhead
high voltage power lines. With appropriate
technology used in appropriate places, the
environmental impact of underground
cables can be minimized.

A comparison of Overhead and

Underground Transmission

A comparison of Overhead and

Underground Transmission

Electric Power needs to be carried over long distances from the

point of generation to the point of consumption. This
Transmission is done either through overhead lines or
underground cables. Each of these two methods of transmission
has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Overhead Transmission lines are cheaper as the insulation cost is
lesser and the conductor material cost is lesser too. They also
have better heat dissipation.
However, they have significant disadvantages. Overhead lines are
vulnerable to lightning strikes which can cause interruption.
Overhead lines use bare conductors and can cause damage if
they break. They are considered to be unsightly as they mar the
scenery of the landscape. The maintenance cost of overhead
lines is more and the voltage drop in overhead lines is more.

A comparison of Overhead and

Underground Transmission

Underground transmission due to cables is costlier than overhead

transmission as the ground needs to be excavated. This can be
difficult when passing though geographic obstructions such as
hills, marshes and rivers. Special trenches need to be constructed
when passing through loose soil. Besides, heat dissipation in
underground cables is an issue. Hence, the conductors have to be
thicker. The insulation required for the cables is expensive.
Hence, it is difficult to use underground cables for voltages at HV
levels (> 33 kV).

Underground cables may have to be rerouted to accommodate

other underground structures such as pipelines, sewage lines,
etc. It is necessary that the routes of underground lines are
clearly marked with sign boards to prevent accidents when
excavations are carried out for other reasons at a later date.