How do the installation and maintenance costs of overhead lines and underground cables compare?

2025-08-13

Cost is a primary factor in the decision-making process, and there is a clear distinction between the two methods:

  • Initial Installation Cost: underground cable projects are typically 4 to 10 times more expensive to install than overhead lines. This is due to the significant labor and machinery required for trenching, specialized cable conduits, and the cost of the insulated cables themselves.

  • Maintenance and Repair Cost: While underground systems are more reliable and require less frequent maintenance, repairs can be dramatically more expensive and time-consuming. Locating a fault in a buried cable requires specialized diagnostic equipment and extensive excavation, leading to higher costs and prolonged service interruptions. In contrast, faults in overhead lines are usually visible and much quicker to access and fix.

Our company manufactures a wide array of equipment that helps control these costs. For overhead projects, our stringing equipment is engineered for rapid and safe installation, while our underground cable laying equipment is built for durability and efficiency, reducing the long-term operational expenses associated with complex underground projects.

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