The pros and cons of an underground electrical system
Underground cable networks are used for a variety of reasons. For example, you can find them in use to provide signaling infrastructure between points on an underground railway network. Equally, you can find them used in an urban setting to provide a telecommunications network for both voice and data links. The third main application area for underground cables is to provide power. In many parts of the world, an underground electrical system is used in cities, where overhead power lines would be simply impractical.
Of course, some places use a combination of both overhead and underground lines. What are the advantages of putting power networks underground and what drawbacks, if any, are there to installing them underground?
The Benefits of An Underground Electrical System
Some developed, urban areas just don’t have enough room overhead to supply electrical power above ground. Also, an electrical system that is underground is physically separated from human populations, which means they remain safe from dangers associated with coming into contact with high voltage cables, ie: electrocution.
Another key advantage of an underground electrical system is that it itself is protected. An overhead line can often experience electrical disruptions due to bird or other wildlife interactions, environmental conditions or from falling trees and branches, for example. Furthermore, overhead cabling installations must be able to withstand high winds and lightning strikes which may occur at any time. By contrast, underground cable networks are insulated by means of different materials and are commonly installed in covered concrete-lined culverts or troughs which means they tend to offer much greater reliability.
Of the two types, overhead and buried, underground cabling tends to be cheaper to maintain when it comes to delivering power. This is because there is less reactive maintenance work that is required. Also, buried cables will not face the same levels of degradation that you see with exposed cabling. This means that underground power lines show longer life cycles and fewer man-hours spent on preventative maintenance regimes. It is important to note that these low maintenance costs and high reliability of the grid can only be achieved when using high-quality underground network cable accessories. High-quality underground joints, connectors and sealing technology helps to avoid water ingress that could severely damage the network.
TE Connectivity, the owner of Raychem cable accessories, has more than 60 years of experience in materials science that leads to products of high reliability and lower installation costs, even in the harshest environments. TE is the underground partner of choice for customers with high expectations.
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