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The power requirements for the electrical services in our cities,
towns and rural areas are produced by hydro, nuclear and fossil-fuel
generating plants. Many of these generating plants are located
at considerable distances from the places of electrical consumption.
Over long rural distances, overhead lines are used for electrical
transmission. However, when a built-up area is approached, or
if the power plant is in proximity to a city or town, there are
many advantages to be gained by installing underground cables
for the transmission system.
Apart from the obvious aesthetic advantages of improved appearance
and maintaining property values, underground cable transmission
systems have many advantages over overhead lines. They include:
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Longer Life Expectancy
Underground systems normally last much longer than overhead wiring.
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Reduced Maintenance Costs
Components of underground systems, not being exposed, require
less maintenance.
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Service Uninterrupted by Storms
Underground systems are protected from ice storms, lightning,
and high winds.
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Conserve Valuable Land
Land is a valuable resource, particularly in urban areas. Underground
systems permit the construction of buildings and other structures
over and around them.
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Reduced Fire Fighting Hazards
Fire departments are not hampered, or endangered, by poles and
overhead wires, when erecting their fire-fighting apparatus.
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Prevention of Accidents
Dangers to persons from the accessibility of high-voltage power,
or from poles becoming hazardous to vehicles, and from fallen
poles and live wires, are eliminated.
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Underground systems conserve valuable land in urban areas, and
avoid the dangers to persons from the accessibility of high-voltage
power.
Before and After: Left, part of the Yonge Street hill, Toronto,
August, 1947; and Right, the same location as it looked 44 years
later in August, 1991.
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