Umair Gaines
Electrical feeders are responsible for transmitting electricity from the main source to various circuits in a building. Feeders can be installed either underground or overhead, with each method having its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While underground feeders offer improved aesthetics, safety, and reduced electromagnetic interference, they are more expensive to install and repair. On the other hand, overhead feeders are more cost-effective, easier to install, and allow for easier fault detection. The choice between the two ultimately depends on various factors, and it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ownership | The electric company owns the feeders up to the connection at your house. The homeowner owns the feeder from the connection to the home's electrical service panel. |
| Installation Cost | Underground feeders are more expensive to install due to excavation and specialized equipment. |
| Maintenance Cost | Underground feeders have lower maintenance costs. |
| Aesthetics | Underground feeders improve the appearance of neighborhoods by removing clutter from the skyline. |
| Safety | Underground feeders are safer as they are not vulnerable to falling trees, high winds, and accidental human contact. |
| Electromagnetic Interference | Underground feeders produce less electromagnetic interference, improving the performance of electronic devices. |
| Repair | Underground feeders are more challenging and costly to repair as fault detection is more difficult. |
| Flexibility | Underground feeders have limited flexibility as expanding or modifying them is challenging and expensive. |
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What You'll Learn
- Underground feeders are less vulnerable to weather and falling trees
- Underground feeders are safer and more aesthetically pleasing
- Underground feeders are more expensive to install and repair
- Underground feeders produce less electromagnetic interference
- The utility company owns the service system and charges a fee for installation
Underground feeders are less vulnerable to weather and falling trees
Electrical feeders are pivotal in transmitting electricity from the main source to various circuits in a building. They can be installed either underground or overhead, with each method having its own advantages and disadvantages.
In contrast, overhead feeders are more vulnerable to weather and falling trees. They are susceptible to damage from storms, winds, and falling trees, which can cause power outages. They are also more visible and can be an eyesore in residential areas. However, overhead feeders are cost-effective and easier to install, requiring less specialized equipment and materials. Problems with overhead feeders are also more visible and easier to address.
The choice between underground and overhead electrical feeders depends on various factors, including aesthetics, safety, maintenance, and environmental impact. While underground feeders offer improved safety and aesthetics, overhead feeders are more cost-effective and easier to install. It is important to carefully consider these factors and consult with experts to make the right choice for specific needs.
In terms of ownership, the utility company owns the electrical feeders up to the service point, which is typically located near the outside of the mast. The service point represents the dividing line between the utility company's property and the homeowner's property. However, the meter, which is located on the homeowner's side, may still be owned by the utility company.
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Underground feeders are safer and more aesthetically pleasing
Underground feeders are a safer and more aesthetically pleasing alternative to overhead feeders. Unlike overhead feeders, which are installed above the ground on poles, underground feeders are buried beneath the ground, making them invisible and more aesthetically pleasing. They remove a significant amount of visual clutter, and neighbourhoods with underground feeders look cleaner and more appealing.
Underground feeders are also safer. They are not vulnerable to falling trees, high winds, and other destructive effects of weather. They also eliminate the danger of accidental contact with ladders or vehicles. On the other hand, overhead feeders are more exposed to the public, and despite the best public awareness campaigns, they still expose the public to the risk of electrocution from fallen wires.
While underground feeders offer these aesthetic and safety advantages, they are more expensive and difficult to install and repair. Burying electrical feeders underground requires excavation and specialized equipment, and detecting and fixing faults can be time-consuming and costly. Overhead feeders are more cost-effective and easier to install, requiring less specialized equipment and materials.
However, it is worth noting that the choice between underground and overhead feeders depends on various factors, including aesthetics, safety, maintenance, and environmental impact. It is crucial to carefully consider these factors and consult with experts to make the right choice for specific needs.
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Underground feeders are more expensive to install and repair
The cost of installing underground transmission lines can range from 4 to 14 times more than that of overhead lines of the same voltage and distance. For example, a 69 kV underground line can cost up to $1.5 million per mile, compared to $285,000 per mile for an overhead line. Similarly, a 138 kV overhead line costs approximately $390,000 per mile, while its underground counterpart can cost up to $2 million per mile.
Repairs of underground feeders are also more challenging and expensive. Detecting and fixing faults can be time-consuming due to the difficulty in accessing the lines. When repairs are required, the process may involve trenching, cable splicing, and re-embedment, which can be five to ten times more expensive than repairing overhead lines. The extended outages during underground line repairs can disrupt services to customers, and the duration of these outages tends to be longer than those associated with overhead lines.
Furthermore, underground feeders are susceptible to insulation deterioration over time due to the loading cycles the lines undergo. This deterioration increases the potential for line faults, and if a fault occurs, the cost of finding its location and repairing it can be significantly higher than for overhead lines, where the conductors are visible and easily accessible.
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Underground feeders produce less electromagnetic interference
Underground feeders, also known as service laterals, are a more modern method of transmitting electricity from the main source to a building. They are an alternative to overhead service drops, which are more susceptible to damage from wind, storms, and falling trees. Underground feeders are also safer, as they eliminate the danger of accidental contact with ladders or vehicles.
However, underground feeders have some disadvantages. Burying electrical feeders underground can be expensive due to excavation and the need for specialized equipment. They are also more challenging to repair, as detecting and fixing faults can be time-consuming and costly. Additionally, underground systems have limited flexibility, as expanding or modifying them can be difficult and expensive.
Overall, while underground feeders offer the advantage of reduced electromagnetic interference, they also come with higher installation and repair costs, as well as limited flexibility. These factors need to be carefully considered when choosing between underground and overhead electrical feeders.
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The utility company owns the service system and charges a fee for installation
Electrical feeders are responsible for transmitting electricity from the main source to various circuits in a building. Feeders can be installed either underground or overhead, with each method having its own advantages and disadvantages.
Underground feeders are aesthetically pleasing as they don't interfere with the landscape, and they are also safer as they are less prone to damage from storms or falling trees. On the other hand, installing them can be expensive due to excavation and the need for specialized equipment. Additionally, expanding or modifying underground systems can be challenging.
Overhead feeders, on the other hand, are cost-effective and easier to install. They are more flexible and can be easily expanded or modified. However, they are susceptible to damage from weather conditions and pose safety risks of electrocution or accidents due to fallen wires.
When it comes to the ownership of the service system, the utility company owns and maintains the underground service connection from the distribution system to the house. They charge a flat customer fee for installation, which is usually a set amount per trench foot. This fee is uniform regardless of cable size and does not apply to underground services tapping an overhead system.
It is important to note that rates for these services are established by state and federal governments, and equipment must meet the minimum specifications of the National Electrical Safety Code and state safety codes. Local regulations may also influence the location of the distribution system.
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Frequently asked questions
The electric company owns the electrical feeders up to the connection at your house. The cables that run from the electric utility company's power pole to the connection at your house are called the service drop. The service point, which is the connection between the service panel and the service drop cables, represents the dividing line between the utility company's property and the homeowner's property.
Underground feeders have aesthetic and safety advantages over overhead feeders. They produce less electromagnetic interference, ensuring better performance of electronic devices, and are less prone to damage from external factors like storms or falling trees.
Underground feeders can be expensive to install due to excavation and specialized equipment. They are also more challenging to expand or modify, and detecting and fixing faults can be time-consuming and costly.
