When building a new home, renovating, or upgrading your electrical connection, one common question comes up: should you choose overhead or underground power? Both bring electricity from the street network into your property, but they differ in more than looks.
What is a power service?
Your electrical service connection is the main cable bringing electricity from the distribution network (street pole or underground pit) into your property and connecting to your meter box. It includes the cable from the street, the meter box, and your home switchboard. Because this connects to the live network, a Level 2 electrician must carry out the work.
Overhead power services
Overhead service lines run above ground, typically from a pole in the street to a point near your home. Advantages: lower upfront cost with fewer materials and no trenching, easier access for repairs, and no digging up gardens or driveways. Things to consider: wires and poles affect your property's look, exposure to weather, wind and falling branches, and some areas need more regular inspection.
Underground power services
Underground services bury the cable below ground in a trench and protective conduit, bringing power to your meter box with no visible wires. Advantages: cleaner modern appearance, better protection from weather and tree damage, and often fewer storm-caused outages. Considerations: higher upfront cost due to trenching and conduit, and repairs require locating and excavating the fault.
As a Level 2 ASP covering both classes, we install and maintain overhead connections up to 400 amps and underground supplies above 200 amps - so the advice you get from us isn't tilted toward either option.
Need this done, not just read?
0474 915 389