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Concept
Undergrounding
Summary
In civil engineering, undergrounding is the replacement of overhead cables providing electrical power or telecommunications, with underground cables. It helps in wildfire prevention and in making the power lines less susceptible to outages during high winds, thunderstorms or heavy snow or ice storms. An added benefit of undergrounding is the aesthetic quality of the landscape without the powerlines. Undergrounding can increase the capital cost of electric power transmission and distribution but may decrease operating costs over the lifetime of the cables.
Early undergrounding had a basis in the detonation of mining explosives and in undersea telegraph cables. Electric cables were used in Russia to detonate mining explosives in 1812, and to carry telegraph signals across the English Channel in 1850.
With the spread of early electrical power systems, undergrounding began to increase as well. Thomas Edison used underground DC “street pipes” in his early distribution networks; they were insulated first with jute in 1880, before progressing to rubber insulation in 1882.
Subsequent developments occurred in both insulation and fabrication techniques:
1925: Pressurized paper insulation used on cables
1930: PVC insulation used on cables
1942: Polyethylene insulation first used on cables
1962: Ethylene propylene rubber-insulated cables become commercially available
1963: Preformed cable accessories become available
1970s: Shrinkable cable accessories become available
During the 20th century direct-buried cable became commonplace.
The aerial cables that carry high-voltage electricity and are supported by large pylons are generally considered an unattractive feature of the countryside. Underground cables can transmit power across densely populated areas or areas where land is costly or environmentally or aesthetically sensitive. Underground and underwater crossings may be a practical alternative for crossing rivers.
Less subject to damage from severe weather conditions (mainly lightning, hurricanes/cyclones/typhoons, tornados, other winds, and freezing)
Decreased risk of fire.
Official source
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