We're often asked why we simply don't bury all of our electrical lines. It's important to understand that even underground lines experience failures that lead to power outages. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of circuit construction. Utility lines are now routinely being placed underground in many new developments. When our engineers design new service circuits they take many factors into account, including municipal requirements, safety, cost and efficiency.
Overhead circuits
- Advantages
- Less costly to install
- Easily visually inspected
- Easier and less costly to maintain and repair
- Disadvantages
- Visually unattractive to some people
- Vulnerable to outages caused by tree or animal interference, storm damage, auto accidents and vandalism
Underground circuits
- Advantages
- More visually pleasing
- Fewer power outages and improved reliability because circuits are protected from storm damage, auto accidents and vandalism
- Disadvantages
- More costly to install
- More complex operational needs
- Visual inspection is impossible, making it more difficult and costly to maintain and repair
- Longer power outages because damage is more difficult to locate and takes longer to repair
