Even though the electrical energy can be transmitted or distributed using overhead lines and underground cables, the selection of one over the other is based on the following reasons listed in the below table.
| S.no |
Parameter
|
Overhead lines
|
Underground cables
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Public safety | More dangerous to the public | Less hazardous to the public |
| 2 | Initial cost | Less costly | It is ten times more cost of overhead lines |
| 3 | Flexibility | More flexible and can be modified easily | Less flexible |
| 4 | Faults | The chance of fault occurrence is more | Less chance of fault occurrence |
| 5 | Appearance | Bad, since the wiring is visible | Good, since the wiring is not visible |
| 6 | Fault location and repair | Easier to locate the fault and repair it | Difficult to locate the fault and repair it |
| 7 | Useful life | Less | More |
| 8 | Maintenance cost | Very high | Low |
| 9 | Interference with communication circuits | Faces problems due to interference | No interference with the communication circuits |
| 10 | Lightning | Liable to hazards from lightning | Not liable to hazards from lightning |
| 11 | Submarine crossings | Cannot be used | Can be used |
| 12 | Transmission | Used for long-distance transmission | Used for short-distance transmission |
