TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION

There are two types of construction system in electricity distribution in buildings.

1. Overhead Construction
2. Underground Construction
OVERHEAD CONSTRUCTION
• An overhead power line is a structure used in electric power transmission and
distribution to transmit electrical energy across large distances.

• It consists of one or more uninsulated electrical cables (commonly multiples of three

for three-phase power) suspended by towers or poles.

• Since most of the insulation is provided by the surrounding air, overhead power
lines are generally the least costly method of power transmission
for large quantities of electric energy.

• Overhead lines have proven to a reliable solution, both technically and economically.
• Overhead lines are routinely operated at voltages exceeding 765,000 volts
between conductors.
• A major goal of overhead power line design is to maintain clearance between
energized conductors and the ground so as to prevent dangerous contact with
the line, and to provide reliable support for the conductors.
Components of Overhead Transmission Lines-
• An overhead line consists of-
1. Conductors
2. Insulation
3. Ground Wires
4. Towers
5. Hardware
6. Foundations
• Conductors are hung in stringing sections consisting of several suspension
points between dead-end towers.
-The transmission line conductors are specialized, with large cross section and
relatively few strands.
-The most common conductor in use for transmission is
aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR).
-The sag of the conductor (vertical distance between the highest
and lowest point of the curve) varies depending on the
temperature and additional load such as ice cover.
- Two
such conductors that offer reduced thermal sag are known as composite
core conductors (ACCR and ACCC conductor).
Coventional ACSR & Cross-section of ACSR
modern carbon core
• Insulators at dead-end structures are normally horizontal and loaded only in tension.
-Insulators are broadly classified as either pin-type, which support the conductor
above the structure, or suspension type, where the conductor hangs below the structure. 
-High-voltage conductors are normally hung from a tower above using I-string
suspension insulators.
-A double chain of insulators, forming a V(V-string) or parallel columns (double I string)
can restrain the lateral movement of the conductor.
-Insulators are usually made of wet-process porcelain or toughened glass, with
increasing use of glass-reinforced polymer insulators.
• Ground wires- Modular suspension -It isinsulators are used
grounded at the top of the supporting structure, minimizeforthe direct lightning
high-voltage lines. The objects
strikes to the phase conductors. -Very high-voltage transmission lines may have two
attached near the bottom of the
ground conductors. -These are either at the outermost ends of the
insulator are Stockbridge dampers.
highest cross beam, at two V-shaped mast points, or
at a separate cross arm.

• Towers-There are a wide variety of transmission tower designs. Steel

construction is most common, and galvanized steel lattice towers. -In urban areas,
slender steel pole structures are heavier and more costly but present
a modern appearance.
Aluminum conductor
crosslinked polyethylene
• Foundation- insulation
-Design of wire.
transmission tower foundations, considering vertical It is
uplift and side loads as well as compression. used for
-The foundations at tower base may be supplemented with guy wires, 6600V
terminated in power
rock orlines
soil anchors.These metal electrodes in the soil also transfer currents from
power system faults and lightning flashes to remote earth.
Classification of transmission lines-
1. By operating voltage-
-Low voltage (LV)-less than 1000 volts, used for
connection between a residential
or small commercial space.
-Medium voltage (MV) – between 1000 volts (1
kV) and 69 kV, used for distribution
in urban and rural areas.
-High voltage (HV)-less than 100 kV, voltages 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.
-Extra
high voltage (EHV)-from 345 kV, up to about 800 kV, used for long distance, very high
power transmission.
-Ultra high voltage (UHV) is often associated with ≥ ±800 kVDC
and ≥ 1000 kVAC and China has installed more UHV than any other country.
2. By length of the line-
-The overhead transmission line is generally categorized into
three classes,depending on the length of the line:
-The transmission lines which have a length less
than 50 km are generally referred to as short
transmission lines.
-The transmission line having its effective length more than 50 km but less than
150 km is generally referred to as a medium transmission line.
-A transmission line having a length more than 150 km is considered as
a long transmission line.
UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION
-Undergrounding is the replacement of overhead cables providing electrical
power or telecommunications, with underground cables.
-It demonstrates the higher technology for fire prevention and to make
the power lines less susceptible during high wind thunderstorms or
storms. -It is the aesthetic quality of the landscape without the
powerlines. -It can increase the initial costs of electric power
transmission and distribution but may decrease operational costs over
the lifetime of the cables. -When the system
is completely underground and the medium voltage lines are also buried
and transformers are mounted on the underground vaults. -This type
of power distribution system is more common in densely populated areas
and in certain housing developments.

TYPES:
The most common types of underground electric power transmission cables are-
1. High-Pressure Fluid Filled Pipe (HPFF)
2. High-Pressure Gas Filled Pipe (HPGF)
3. Self Contained Fluid Filled (SCFF)
4. Solid Cable Cross-Linked Polyethylene (SCCLP)
Features of underground construction-
• Construction-
-The construction of underground power cables is expensive and that have a
safety against corrosion, moisture, mechanical injury effect from the soil due to environmental
impact. -The construction of these cables in the underground is
expensive compared with the overhead power cables because these cables are simple
and don’t need any insulation as well as the shield.
• Dissipation of Heat
-Dissipation of heat in underground power transmission cable is partial with insulation layers
as well as protection like sheaths & armoring. -Most of the heat is maintained
near the cable.
• Conductors Size
-Compared to overhead cables, underground cables have a huge conductor with
the same quantity of electrical power. -As underground electrical
cables have an artificial cooling system.
• Carrying Ability of Voltage
-The underground electric power transmission cables are limited by the costly construction and
dissipation of heat. -Due to these reasons, an
underground cable transmits up to 33-kilovolts.
• Fault Recognition & Repair
-It is complicated to recognize the faults in underground electric power transmission.
-Because it takes a lot of time to find
as well as repair the underground cables.
• Installation-
-The installation process of underground electrical cables requires digging.
• Horizontal Boring -This is a method in which one uses a drill bit to bore
horizontal starting at one point on the surface of the ground and creating
an arc underground to come back out of the surface.
-This method is used when minimal damage to the surface is preferred.
• Trench Undergrounding -other method is to dig trenches, lay power lines
into the trench and cover them back up.
-This is done for the length of the power line.
The step by step procedure of installation includes the following-
1. Row Clearing
2. Blasting or Trenching
3. Welding Pipe or Arranging
4. Installation of Vault & Duct Bank
5. Backfilling
6. Installation of Cable
7. Adding gas or Fluids
8. Restoration of Location
• Due to some utility service lines, this may be complicated by another type of
value services like pipelines of gas, oil, and sewer lines.
• Other problems may occur due to loose soil, rocks and water on
roads will more expensive to fit.
• Security of Public
-The cables are very safe to the environment, public, animals, etc.
-These cables
are not impacted and affected by the conditions as
well as trees, physical interference, that may direct to damage
the poles, cables, etc.
• Lightning Expulsion Effect
-These cables are not affected by the lightning expulsion.
• Voltage drop & Interference
-The underground electric cables have less voltage drop due to that cables are
much larger in diameter than overhead cables for the
same power delivery.
-These cables don’t interfere with proximity communication lines TV, radio.
• Life Span
-The lifespan of underground electric power transmission cables has
low compared to overhead cables.
• Ecological Impact
-These cables are more benefits of health, ecological due to noise reduction
and superior plants management. these cables
have low loss of transmission, reduced harm, and accidents.
• Use of Land
-These cable uses better land without the view of cables as well as poles,
which leads to improving the values of the property.
COMPARISON
Overhead
• Inductant is more
predominant.
• Suitable for long distance
transmission
• Conductor is less expensive.
• Insulation cost is very less.
• Heat dissipation is better.
• Erection cost is less.
• Have more interference & do
not provide safety.
Underground
• Capacitance is more
predominant.
• Suitable for short distance
transmission.
• Conductor more expensive.
• Insulation cost high.
• Heat dissipation less.
• Erection cost more.
• Provide greater safety, less
interference with amenities
and better outlook