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My stupid pet peeves.

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,739
274
North Carolina
Snow storm, ice storm, nothing new down here but definitely not as frequent as in Ohio. Governor issued a state of emergency 3 days out from it hitting. Power companies stage crews for power loss. I get it, power will probably be out for many. But why? Tree limbs snapping because of the ice. This is nothing new when dealing with storms.
I guess what bothers me about this whole thing, the power from the road back too our house is buried. Why isn’t the rest of the power lines that can be buried, not buried? They go through trimming trees running new lines, maintaining said lines that are hanging out there 24/7/365 in whatever weather comes their way. It just seems too boggle my mind on why all the lines aren’t buried that can be and it would seem there‘d be less power outages.
 
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Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
Snow storm, ice storm, nothing new down here but definitely not as frequent as in Ohio. Governor issued a state of emergency 3 days out from it hitting. Power companies stage crews for power loss. I get it, power will probably be out for many. But why? Tree limbs snapping because of the ice. This is nothing new when dealing with storms.
I guess what bothers me about this whole thing, the power from the road back too our house is buried. Why isn’t the rest of the power lines that can be buried, not buried? They go through trimming trees running new lines, maintaining said lines that are hanging out there 24/7/365 in whatever weather comes their way. It just seems too boggle my mind on why all the lines aren’t buried that can be and it would seem there‘d be less power outages.

It purely a cost issue. A 69kv line costs about 1.5 million per mile to bury compared to about 290k overhead.
 
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"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,739
274
North Carolina
Now that I’ve got the power lines outta my mind, I might be getting on a roll here 😂

Years ago when I got off active duty, before I went back too work for the AF. I worked at a trucking company for a year. Doing hydraulic work on the trucks and light maintenance when I wasn’t doing anything else. One of the things the foreman drilled into every ones head was clear or amber up front, red on the back. Meaning the lights. Has something changed since then? I’m seeing blue, purple, green and red lights on the front of vehicles. Most seem too be aftermarket add ons as I don’t see them on the lots like that. I know amber rear turn signals are legal. But brake lights=red. Headlights=white and running lights=amber.
I know in the scheme of things this is nickel dime shit, do the cops just overlook it and not worry about it due too bigger fish too fry? Inquiring minds (at least this one) wanna know! 😂
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,739
274
North Carolina
It purely a cost issue. A 69kv line costs about 1.5 million per mile to bury compared to about 290k overhead.
But…. But the upkeep and the maintenance has too balance out at some point. The bean counters have too have some kinda power point proving it 😂
 

Wildlife

Denny
Supporting Member
5,248
191
Ross County, Ohio
Underground distribution systems do not last as long and the expense for repairs is very costly and time consuming. Joe is right, the cost for underground verse overhead comes down to cost. With regards to maintenance and safety, underground distribution systems are more of a concern for all involved than overhead, and I am referring to high voltages, such as 7k up to 80k of voltage per phase.

With regards to secondary distribution systems, it's not as costly, but still considered more dangerous to work around than overhead pretty much.

Line crews need to do regular maintenance on all high voltage distribution systems, and part of that is clearing timber away from electric lines. Part of your power bill money is suppose to go to maintenance, but how often to you see lines crews doing that kind of work. From my experience, not as much as they should in my opinion.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
But…. But the upkeep and the maintenance has too balance out at some point. The bean counters have too have some kinda power point proving it 😂

Underground has it's own headaches. Lines go bad or short and they have to dig them up. People like Dave dig them up with a backhoe. Etc. Storm restoration damage has a cost recovery model through the utility commission, the company rolls that cost on to the consumer.
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,739
274
North Carolina
I believe the storm collateral damage would warrant the upfront cost.
Overhead lines just seem too be so antiquated in this day and age.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
I believe the storm collateral damage would warrant the upfront cost.
Overhead lines just seem too be so antiquated in this day and age.

I don't disagree but they don't care about that. They just go to the public utility commission and ask for storm cost recovery. Its granted and they figure out a payment schedule to tack on everyone's bill. They don't pay for it.
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,739
274
North Carolina
I don't disagree but they don't care about that. They just go to the public utility commission and ask for storm cost recovery. Its granted and they figure out a payment schedule to tack on everyone's bill. They don't pay for it.
Bastards!!!! 😂
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Underground has it's own headaches. Lines go bad or short and they have to dig them up. People like Dave dig them up with a backhoe. Etc. Storm restoration damage has a cost recovery model through the utility commission, the company rolls that cost on to the consumer.
My job is to dig them up. That's how you get to hook up to the power. Mostly just 15 and 19.9 kv for what I do right now though.