The decision often comes down to balancing several key factors:

• overhead lines:

  • Advantages: They are significantly cheaper and faster to install because they don't require extensive trenching or excavation. They are also easier to inspect and repair, as faults are often visible and accessible from a bucket truck. This leads to quicker power restoration during an outage.

  • Disadvantages: They are highly susceptible to damage from severe weather like wind, ice, and lightning, as well as falling trees, and vehicle collisions. They can also be seen as an eyesore, particularly in urban and scenic areas.

• underground Lines:

  • Advantages: They offer superior reliability as they are protected from weather events and external physical damage. They are also aesthetically pleasing, as they don't require poles or visible wires, and they pose less public safety risk.

  • Disadvantages: Their initial installation cost is 5 to 10 times higher than overhead lines due to the cost of trenching, specialized cables, and concrete ducts. Faults are much harder to locate and repair, leading to longer and more disruptive outages when they do occur.