ABSTRACT
The Aesthetics is primarily the major reason for installing power cables underground, providing open views of the landscape free of poles and wires. The ampacity, current carrying capacity, of an underground line is less than an equivalent sized overhead line. Underground cable can be directly buried in earth, which is the lowest initial cost, allows splicing at the point of failure as a repair option and allows for maximum ampacity. The Conductors used at transmission voltages may have exotic stranding to reduce the voltage stress. Copper having a higher intrinsic conductivity will have a greater ampacity and lower resistance than an equivalent size aluminum conductor. Many types of insulation compounds have used from natural or synthetic rubber, polyvinyl chloride, high molecular weight polyethylene, and cross–linked polyethylene to name a few. The medium– and high–voltage power cables, in addition to being insulated, are shield to contain and evenly distribute the electric field within the insulation.
