Comparison of overhead

and underground
transmission lines
Name: Ahmed Usama
 Overhead Transmission
O An overhead power line is a structure
used in electric power
transmission and distribution to transmit
electrical energy along large distances.
It consists of one or
more conductors(commonly multiples
of three) suspended by towers or poles.
Since most of the insulation is provided
by air, overhead power lines are
generally the lowest-cost method of
power transmission for large quantities
of electric energy.
Classification by operating
voltage
O Overhead power transmission lines are classified in the
electrical power industry by the range of voltages:
O Low voltage (LV) – less than 1000 volts, used for connection
between a residential or small commercial customer and the
utility.
O Medium voltage (MV; distribution) – between 1000 volts (1 kV)
and to 69 kV, used for distribution in urban and rural areas.
O High voltage (HV; sub transmission less than 100 kV; sub
transmission or transmission at voltage such as 115 kV and
138 kV), used for sub-transmission and transmission of bulk
quantities of electric power and connection to very large
consumers.
O Extra high voltage (EHV; transmission) – over 230 kV, up to
about 800 kV, used for long distance, very high power
transmission.
O Ultra high voltage (UHV) – higher than 800 kV.
Circuits
 Advantages of overhead
transmission line
O Electrical power generated at
power plants must be transmitted
to its ultimate users. This process
requires transmission lines to
carry the heavy power loads over
long distances. These
transmission lines perform the
heavy duty work and require
stronger supports and larger
wires. There are several
advantages to placing the
transmission lines overhead as
opposed to underground.
 Advantages of overhead
transmission line
O Installation Costs
When deciding whether to put transmission lines overhead or
underground, installation costs become a primary concern for
power companies. The advantage in initial capital costs goes to
overhead lines.
O Repair Costs
Underground power lines are more costly to repair. In addition, it
generally takes longer to repair than overhead lines due to the
difficulty in reaching the underground problem.
O Environmental Concerns
While overhead transmission lines may be considered unsightly,
they do not impact the environment in the manner underground
lines would when crossing large expanses of land.
 Undergrounding
O Undergrounding is the replacement
of overhead cables providing electrical power
or telecommunications, with underground
cables. This is typically performed
foraesthetic purposes, 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.
Undergrounding Cable
 Advantages
O Less subject to damage from severe weather conditions
(mainly lightning, wind and freezing)
O Reduced range of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emission, into the
surrounding area. However depending on the depth of the
underground cable, greater emf may be experienced. The electric
current in the cable conductor produces a magnetic field, but the
closer grouping of underground power cables reduces the resultant
external magnetic field and further magnetic shielding may be
provided.
O Underground cables need a narrower surrounding strip of about 1–10
meters to install (up to 30 m for 400 kV cables during construction),
whereas an overhead line requires a surrounding strip of about 20–
200 meters wide to be kept permanently clear for safety,
maintenance and repair.
O Underground cables pose no hazard to low flying aircraft or to
wildlife.
O Much less subject to conductor theft, illegal connections, sabotage,
and damage from armed conflict.
O Burying utility lines makes room for more large trees on sidewalks,
which convey environmental benefits and increase property values
 Disadvantages
- higher cost of construction
- higher repair cost
- potential risk from careless digging
- Underground cables are more subject to
damage by ground movement.
- underground cables cannot be uprated and
must be supplemented or replaced to increase
capacity.
A comparison of Overhead and
Underground Transmission
Cables & conventional types
comparison
comparison
 Aesthetics
O Overhead
- Poles, wires and support anchors are
visible
- Some vegetation can remain under or
beside the lines
O Underground
- No poles, wires or support anchors visible
- Steel termination poles are visible
- Vegetation must be completely removed
on and around the route
 Outage Impacts
O Overhead
- Outages are more frequent during normal
and severe weather
- Repairs can typically be made within a
day
O Underground
- Outages are less frequent
- Repairs can take up to six weeks
 Costs
O Overhead
$500,000 to $1 million per mile to construct
Costs more to operate and maintain Costs less to
repair, upgrade and relocate
Costs from car-pole accidents, tree trimming, and
transmission line losses are higher
Costs are covered by all ratepayers; no additional area
costs to local customers is necessary
O Underground
$4 million to $10 million per mile to construct
Costs more to repair, upgrade or relocate Typical cross
section of underground 115 kilovolt transmission lines
Costs less to operate and maintain
 Construction Impacts
O Overhead
Temporary traffic impacts, if work is in or along street
rights-of-way
Construction entails setting poles and stringing wire
Construction equipment used includes line trucks,
bucket trucks and tree removal equipment
Environmental impacts include removing trees and
removing 120 cubic yards of dirt per mile.
O Underground
Temporary traffic impacts, if work is in or along street
rights-of-way
Construction equipment used includes line trucks,
bucket trucks, backhoes and tree removal equipment
Environmental impacts include removing trees and
removing 530 cubic yards of dirt per mile