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Power lines

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said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

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8,532 posts
Feb 1, 2011 5:46 AM
In ice storms, would it be a benefit if power lines were underground?
Feb 1, 2011 5:46am
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Feb 1, 2011 6:13 AM
i think thats pretty obvious? lol
Feb 1, 2011 6:13am
believer's avatar

believer

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8,153 posts
Feb 1, 2011 6:13 AM
Naw...there wouldn't be any fun in it.
Feb 1, 2011 6:13am
F

fan_from_texas

Senior Member

2,693 posts
Feb 1, 2011 9:19 AM
In ice storms, yes, but not over the long run. The big issue is that if an aboveground line has issues, you can locate the issue pretty easily and resolve it. If it's below ground, it's much tougher to find and fix. In general, the percentage of time out of commission is comparable in most places, but underground lines cost much, much more. The rule of thumb is that you put it underground only for aesthetics if the community wants to foot the bill, otherwise you go aboveground.
Feb 1, 2011 9:19am
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

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8,651 posts
Feb 1, 2011 9:21 AM
fan_from_texas;660348 wrote:In ice storms, yes, but not over the long run. The big issue is that if an aboveground line has issues, you can locate the issue pretty easily and resolve it. If it's below ground, it's much tougher to find and fix. In general, the percentage of time out of commission is comparable in most places, but underground lines cost much, much more. The rule of thumb is that you put it underground only for aesthetics if the community wants to foot the bill, otherwise you go aboveground.

That makes sense. Where I work they have the lines underground and we've been out of power for a week while they were digging around in the ditches outside.
Feb 1, 2011 9:21am
B

bigkahuna

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4,454 posts
Feb 1, 2011 9:27 AM
And, if you're doing it for ice storms, it MIGHT be beneficial once or twice a year.
Feb 1, 2011 9:27am
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

Banned

8,532 posts
Feb 1, 2011 10:22 AM
bigkahuna;660362 wrote:And, if you're doing it for ice storms, it MIGHT be beneficial once or twice a year.

I suppose if you were in one of the more Northern states it would make more sense to have their lines under ground, because of longer winter months.
Feb 1, 2011 10:22am
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fan_from_texas

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2,693 posts
Feb 1, 2011 4:28 PM
said_aouita;660440 wrote:I suppose if you were in one of the more Northern states it would make more sense to have their lines under ground, because of longer winter months.
I was part of a proceeding for a transmission line company in a northern state, and the evidence in that case was that it was basically a wash for average time out of service, but was much more expensive for consumers. In some affluent areas, people are willing to pay extra for aesthetics, but that generally isn't the norm.
Feb 1, 2011 4:28pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
Feb 1, 2011 4:29 PM
fan_from_texas;660907 wrote:I was part of a proceeding for a transmission line company in a northern state, and the evidence in that case was that it was basically a wash for average time out of service, but was much more expensive for consumers. In some affluent areas, people are willing to pay extra for aesthetics, but that generally isn't the norm.

underground lines are becoming the norm in central ohio. From low end apartments to high end housing developments
Feb 1, 2011 4:29pm
S

SnotBubbles

Feb 1, 2011 4:40 PM
As an employee of the construction industry I can say that underground power lines are BY FAR the preference.

By the time you add fixing downed power lines from tree branches, struck utility poles and other occurrences, there "housekeeping/repairs" costs are pretty equal.
Feb 1, 2011 4:40pm
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fan_from_texas

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2,693 posts
Feb 1, 2011 5:58 PM
LJ;660908 wrote:underground lines are becoming the norm in central ohio. From low end apartments to high end housing developments

For the last mile, sure. But not for the bulk transmission system, certainly, and generally not for most of the distribution system, either.
Feb 1, 2011 5:58pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Feb 1, 2011 6:14 PM
fan_from_texas;660993 wrote:For the last mile, sure. But not for the bulk transmission system, certainly, and generally not for most of the distribution system, either.

depends on where you are, down the suburban main roads, no, but that whole suburb will be underground.
Feb 1, 2011 6:14pm