Why is the maintenance of power cables easier than that of overhead lines?
Publish Time: 2025-02-13
In the power transmission and distribution system, power cables and overhead lines are both vital components. However, from the perspective of maintenance, power cables have significant advantages over overhead lines, and their maintenance is usually simpler.First, power cables are usually laid underground or in hidden places, which greatly reduces the possibility of damage by external forces. In contrast, overhead lines are exposed to the natural environment and are more susceptible to natural factors such as wind, rain, lightning, ice and snow, as well as damage caused by human factors such as vehicle collisions and tree collapses. Therefore, power cables have obvious advantages in reducing maintenance frequency and difficulty.Secondly, power cables do not require the erection of dry towers and supporting structures, which reduces the maintenance needs caused by structural damage or aging. Overhead lines require a large number of supporting structures such as poles, towers, and brackets. These structures are prone to corrosion and breakage under long-term wind and sun, and need to be regularly inspected and replaced. Power cables avoid these additional maintenance burdens.Furthermore, the maintenance workload of power cable is relatively small, because its structure is relatively compact and hidden, and frequent inspections are not required. On the contrary, due to its openness, overhead lines need to be regularly checked to see if the lines are complete, the connections are firm, and the insulators are clean. These inspections are not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but may also face greater safety risks under certain complex terrain and climatic conditions.In addition, power cable also helps to improve the power factor and reduce energy loss during power transmission. This feature not only improves the efficiency of the power system, but also indirectly reduces the maintenance needs caused by energy loss. In contrast, overhead lines may have certain limitations in terms of power factor.In summary, power cable has significant advantages over overhead lines in terms of maintenance. Its concealment, compact structure, reduced external force damage and improved power factor make the maintenance of power cable simpler and more efficient. Therefore, in power transmission and distribution systems, power cable has been increasingly widely used and has become an important part of modern urban power infrastructure.
