9/21/2004: Hurricane Ivan damage

[glatt]

Originally Posted by tw

Buried wires are automatically located and for free. Furthermore, it takes far more than a shovel to pierce those wires. Covering material (ususally a few inches of sand or other protective materail) provides warning of those wires. In short it is difficult to harm buried wires.

I agree with most of what you say, but you overestimate the typical homeowner. A wire looks a lot like a root when it is caked with dirt. Many homeowners (not most, but many) will reach for an axe or clippers when they come to a dirt encrusted wire. If there is a layer of sand before they hit the wire, many homeowners will be pleased that the digging is getting easier. Often there is yellow plastic tape in the sand above the wire. "Hmm, there's trash in the dirt."

All it takes is one in ten diggers being an idiot, and you have widespread problems. Wires in the air are safe from idiots. Idiots will be electrocuted long before they hurt the wires in the air.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm a fan of buried wires. They look better, are weather resisitant, and you don't have the electric company over-pruning the trees in the area to protect its overhead wires. But buried wires are very very expensive, and difficult to repair.