OVERHEAD AND

UNDERGROUND
DISTRIBUTION LINES

APRIL ROSE D. HERRERA

EE- 5A
 are bare conductors
supported at the
top of transmission
towers.
 They serve to shield the
line and intercept lighting stroke before
it hits the current carrying conductors
below.
 Ground wires normally do not
carry current. Therefore, they
are often made of steel. The
ground wires are solidly
connected to ground at each
tower in transmission and
distribution system.
 The neutral wire or “grounded conductor” is a normally
current-carrying conductor, similar in many ways to a phase
wire in that it will carry the same amount of current in single
phase system. The neutral conductor is isolated from
accidental contact because it is a very dangerous normally
current carrying conductor.

 The ground wire is a normally non-current carrying conductor,

designed to carry the electrical energy should a fault
occur. This normally non-current carrying conductor is also
bonded to every exposed metallic part in your structure, to
ensure that there are no hazardous differences in potential on
the objects you touch. You should be able to touch exposed
ground wires with no concern, although all exposed wires
should always be treated as live and dangerous.
 A more common approach is "covered" line
wire. It is often safer for wildlife, as the
insulation on the cables increases the
likelihood of a large-wing-span raptor to
survive a brush with the lines, and reduces
the overall danger of the lines slightly.
 XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene)/HDPE
(high density polyethylene)

 Aerial cable systems

 Spacer cables.
 are the most commonly used sheath materials
for covered conductors.
 The conductor material can be high conductivity
copper or aluminium or aluminium conductor
steel-reinforced cable (ACSR) for achieving a
balance between strength and conductivity.
 XLPE is preferred to HDPE since it has about
twenty times the environmental stress crack
resistance and about five times the impact and
tensile strength of HDPE insulation.
 Aerial cables are fully insulated three-core cables with
an earth screen used for overhead applications.

 These cables are less susceptible to lightning, but also

the most expensive.

 Aerial-bundled cables (ABCs) are an innovative concept

for overhead power distribution.

 These are ideal for rural distribution as well as for

installations in difficult terrain like hilly areas, forest
areas and coastal areas.
 Spacer cable systems essentially consist of three
covered conductor phases in a polymeric
support cradle supported by a “messenger”
cable.
 The system typically comprises a messenger-
supported three layer cable construction in a
close triangular configuration, which has
completely coordinated parts.
 Spacer cable lines have a compact design that
tolerates intermittent contact with trees.
 Primary URD cables are almost universally of
the single-conductor concentric neutral type
employing polyethylene or cross-linked
polyethylene insulation. Specifically, the use
of TRXLPE and EPR are increasing in usage.
Ordinary polyethylene is a thermoplastic
which melts at temperatures in the order of
110C.
 Usually three polyethylene-insulated, single-
conductor cables are used for the 120/240-V
secondaries and services. These may be
separate cables or of triplex construction. In
some cases a bare copper neutral conductor
is used. The secondary and service cables are
usually directly buried.
Electric supply cables are insulated with a wide
variety of insulating materials depending on
voltage ratings, type of service, installation
conditions, etc. In the past, the following have
been commonly used:

1. Rubber and rubberlike for 0 to 35 kV

2. Varnished cambric for 0 to 28 kV
3. Impregnated paper of the solid type for voltages up
to 69 kV and with pressurized gas or oil up to 345 kV
or higher
ADVANTAGES

 Lower cost
 Quicker Construction
 Easier to spot damage and faults
 Maintenance of the line is easier.
 Can be built in any terrain
DISADVANTAGES

 Susceptible to wind, ice and snow

 Vulnerable to lightning strikes
 Less attractive
 As it is exposed to the surrounding,
safety risk is high.
ADVANTAGES
 The underground transmission
systems are safer than overhead
transmission system.
 Safer from lightning.
 It creates no obstructions.
 They have reduced visual impact
due to being below the ground.
DISADVATAGES
 Installation process through various geographic areas
has high difficulties, because of ground excavation.
 The installation cost of Underground transmission
is high, as it requires a continuous trench or concrete
ducts
for cable installation. Also, it has a high material cost
due to the requirement of thick and insulated
conductors.
 Underground transmission systems have a high
cost of maintenance. Because the line needs to
dig up before any repair activities and required
to reinstall again.
 High complications in fault detection and
maintenance.
 Limited by thermal capacity.
CONSTRUCTION
Hard and expensive to build?

ANSWER: UNDERGROUND
INSTALLATION

Which is easier to install?

ANSWER: OVERHEAD
SIZE OF CONDUCTORS

Have larger conductor

sizes?

ANSWER: UNDERGROUND
Question:
What city in the
Philippines have an
underground
Installation?

ANSWER: CEBU CITY

INTERFERENCE

Which line system

interfere with the
communication lines that
are close in proximity

ANSWER: OVERHEAD
VOLTAGE DROP

Have more voltage drop?

ANSWER: OVERHEAD
Easier to detect fault and
repair?

ANSWER: OVERHEAD
Have higher voltage
carrying capacity?

ANSWER: OVERHEAD
o http://www.samlexamerica.com/support/documents/13007-
o 0612_GroundedElectricalPowerDistribution.pdf
o http://www.rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/Advantages-
and-Disadvantages-of-Underground-and-Overhead-
transmission.html
o https://mechatrofice.com/electrical/overhead-vs-
underground
o https://powerline.net.in/2017/01/15/covered-conductors/
o https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/characteristics-
of-xlpe-insulated-cables-with-reference-to-the-uk-
standards