THE UNDERGROUND INSTALLATION OF UTILITIES 399 



While this equipment carries a noiseless source of energy that 

 neither pollutes the air nor emits harmful radiation, there is the 

 challenge of aesthetic improvement. This panel has been asked how 

 the Nation might be served with abundant electric power at the same 

 time its natural beauties are preserved and enhanced. 



First, as regards distribution, great progress has been made re- 

 cently. The degree to which the utilities have pioneered under- 

 ground distribution systems in their service areas has been limited 

 only by the ability of equipment manufacturers to develop the prod- 

 ucts and technology to make such installations feasible. 



The great barrier, of course, has been cost. As recently as five 

 years ago, the cost of underground ranged up to five or six times 

 higher than overhead. Costs have now been reduced as much as 

 80 percent under ideal conditions with the development of such 

 new General Electric products as: 



A cross-link polyethylene cable which makes it possible to bury 

 cables directly in the ground without the need of expensive cable 

 ducts. 



A smaller transformer which can be modified to be buried in the 

 ground. 



A factory cable termination which permits making cable termina- 

 tions in the field in minutes instead of hours. 



These and other product advances, complemented by consulta- 

 tions and seminars with utility engineers, have helped make it pos- 

 sible for whole new communities to be served by distribution systems 

 completely below the ground. This development is clearly a har- 

 binger, for more and more utilities are finding that their customers 

 prefer underground whenever new technological progress can make 

 the cost differential small enough. 



Nonetheless, it is imperative to keep in mind that such factors as 

 terrain, load density and water level prevent underground distribu- 

 tion from being feasible in many places at this time. General Electric 

 therefore has devoted increased attention to working with utilities 

 to improve the appearance of overhead lines already installed and 

 yet to be installed where underground is economically impractical. 



This work includes : increasing the voltages of distribution circuits 

 so that only one circuit need now be installed where previously 

 several were required; introduction of a smaller, sky-gray trans- 

 former; use of side post insulators rather than cross arms where only 

 one circuit exists on a distribution pole; development of a polymer 



